Issued  February  15,  1909. 


U.  S.  DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE, 

BUREAU  OF  ANIMAL  INDUSTRY, 
A.  D.  MELVIN,  Chief  of  Bureau. 


SPECIAL  REPORT 


DISEASES  OF  CATTLE. 


Drs.   ATKINSON,   DICKSON,   HARBAUGH,   HICKMAN,   LAW,  LOWE,   MOHLER, 
MURRAY,  PEARSON,  RANSOM,  SALMON,  SMITH,  and  TRUMBOWER. 


REVISED   EDITION,   1908. 


WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT    PRINTING    OFFICE. 

1909. 


ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  BUREAU  OF  ANIMAL  INDUSTRY. 

Chief:  A.  D.  Melvin. 
Assistant  Chief:  A.  M.  Farrington. 
Chief  Clerk:  Charles  C.  Carroll. 

Blochemlc  Division:  M.  Dorset,  chief;  James  A.  Emery,  assistant  chief. 
Dairy  Division:  Ed.  H.  Webster,  chief;  C.  B.  Lane,  assistant  chief. 
Inspection  Division:  Rice  P.  Steddom,  chief;  Morris  Wooden,  R.  A.  Ramsay,  and 
Albert  E.  Behnke,  associate  chiefs. 
radiological  Division:  John  R.  Mohler,  chief;  Henry  J.  Washburn,  assistant  chief. 
Quarantine  Division:  Richard  W.  Hickman,  chief. 
Zoological  Division:  B.  H.  Ransom,  chief. 

Experiment  Station:  E.  C.  Schroeder,  superintendent;  W.  E.  Cotton,  assistant. 
Animal  Husbandman:  George  M.  Rommel. 
Editor:  James  M.  Pickens. 


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LETTER  OF  TRANSMITTAL. 


U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture, 

Bureau  of  Animal  Industry, 
Washington,  D.  C. ,  September  21, 1908. 
Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  transmit   herewith   the  manuscript  of   a 
revised  edition  of  the  Special  Report  on  Diseases  of  Cattle,  in  accord- 
ance with  the  following  resolution,  approved  May  23,  1908: 

Resolved  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the  United  States  of  America  in 
Congress  assembled,  That  there  be  printed  and  bound  one  hundred  thousand  copies 
of  the  Special  Report  on  the  Diseases  of  Cattle,  the  same  to  be  first  revised  and 
brought  to  date  under  the  supervision  of  the  Secretary  of  Agriculture;  thirty  thou- 
sand copies  for  the  use  of  the  Senate,  sixty  thousand  copies  for  the  use  of  the  House 
of  Representatives,  and  ten  thousand  copies  for  distribution  by  the  Department  of 
Agriculture. 

This  work  was  originally  issued  in  1892,  since  which  time  there  has 
been  such  a  demand  for  copies  that  several  editions  have  been  printed 
by  order  of  Congress.  It  was  revised  in  1901,  and  has  again  been 
revised  in  accordance  with  the  resolution  above  quoted.  The  changes 
made  in  the  present  edition  consist  mainly  in  the  revision  of  the  chap- 
ters on  diseases  of  the  digestive  organs  and  infectious  diseases  and  the 
substitution  of  a  new  chapter  on  animal  parasites  for  the  chapter  on 
that  subject  in  the  edition  of  1901. 

While  the  work  is  of  a  popular  character,  and  is  intended  primarily 
for  the  use  of  the  farmer  and  the  stock  owner,  it  will  doubtless  also 
continue  to  be  found  useful  to  the  student  and  the  veterinary  prac- 
titioner. 

Very  respectfully,  A.  D.  Melvin, 

Chief  of  Bureau. 
Hon.  James  Wilson, 

Secretary  of  Agriculture. 


CONTENTS. 


Page. 

Administration  of  medicines.     By  Leonard  Pearson 9 

Diseases  of  the  digestive  organs.     By  A.  J.  Murray 14 

Poisons  and  poisoning.     By  V.  T.  Atkinson 53 

Diseases  of  the  heart,  blood  vessels,  and  lymphatics.     By  Leonard  Pearson;  70 
Noncontagious  diseases  of  the  organs  of  respiration.     By  William  Herbert 

Lowe 85 

Diseases  of  the  nervous  system.     By  W.  H.  Harbaugh 99 

Diseases  of  the  urinary  organs.     By  James  Law Ill 

Diseases  of  the  generative  organs.     By  James  Law 141 

Diseases  following  parturition.     By  James  Law 210 

Diseases  of  young  calves.     By  James  Law 244 

Bones:  Diseases  and  accidents.     By  V.  T.  Atkinson 261 

Surgical  operations.     By  William  Dickson  and  William  Herbert  Lowe 285 

Tumors  affecting  cattle.     By  John  R.  Mohler 304 

Diseases  of  the  skin.     By  M.  R.  Trumbower 320 

Diseases  of  the  foot.     By  M.  R.  Trumbower 335 

Diseases  of  the  eye  and  its  appendages.     By  M.  R.  Trumbower 340 

Diseases  of  the  ear.     By  M.  R.  Trumbower 354 

Infectious  diseases  of  cattle.     By  D.  E.  Salmon  and  Theobald  SMrrn 357 

The  animal  parasites  of  cattle.     By  B.  H.  Ransom 495 

Mycotic  stomatitis  in  cattle.     By  John  R.  Mohler 517 

5 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


PLATES. 

Plate       I.  Showing  the  position  of  the  rumen 32 

II.  Stomach  of  ruminant 32 

III.  Instruments  used  in  treating  diseases  of  digestive  organs 32 

IV.  Microscopic  anatomy  of  the  liver 52 

V.  Ergot  in  hay 52 

VI.  Ergotism 52 

VII.  Diagram  of  the  circulation 84 

VIII.  Showing  the  position  of  the  lung 96 

IX.  Kidney  and  generative  organs 142 

X.  Microscopic  anatomy  of  the  kidney 142 

XI.  Calculi  of  kidney  and  bladder 142 

XII.  Fetal  calf  within  its  membranes 176 

XIII.  Pregnant  uterus  with  cotyledons 176 

XIV.  Vessels  of  umbilical  cord 176 

X  V.  Normal  position  of  calf  in  utero 176 

XVI.  Abnormal  position  of  calf  in  utero 192 

XVII.  Abnormal  position  of  calf  in  utero . : 192 

XVIII.  Abnormal  position  of   calf   in  utero;    surgical  instruments  and 

sutures 192 

XIX.  Monstrosities 192 

XX.  Instruments  used  in  difficult  labor 208 

XXI.  Instruments  used  in  difficult  labor 208 

XXII.  Supports  for  prolapsed  uterus 242 

XXIII.  Supports  for  prolapsed  uterus 242 

XXIV.  Instruments  used  in  diseases  following  parturition 242 

XXV.  Skeleton  of  the  cow 284 

XXVI.  Devices  for  casting  cattle 302 

XXVII.  Tracheotomy  and  venesection 302 

XXVIII.  Surgical  instruments  and  sutures 302 

XXIX.  Various  bacteria  which  produce  disease  in  cattle --- 364 

X  XX.  Upper,  or  dorsal,  surface  of  the  lungs  of  the  ox 376 

XXXI.  Broncho-pneumonia 376 

XXXII.  Contagious  pleuro-pneumonia 376 

XXXIII.  Contagious  pleuro-pneumonia 376 

X  XXIV.  Portions  of  tuberculous  lungs  of  cattle 416 

XXXV.  Tuberculous  liver  from  cow 416 

XXXVI.  Tuberculous  lymphatic  gland j 416 

XXXVII.  Tuberculosis  of  the  omentum  (caul) 416 

X  X  XVIII.  Tuberculosis  of  the  lymphatic  gland  and  omentum  (caul) 426 

X  XXIX.  Fig.  1. — Tuberculosis  of  the  sirloin  and  porterhouse  cuts  of  beef.  426 

Fig.  2. — Tuberculosis  of  pleura  of  cow,  so-called  pearly  disease 426 

XL.  Tuberculous  udder  of  cow 426 

6 


ILLUSTRATIONS.  I 

Page. 

Plate   XLI.  Actinomycosis 438 

XLIL  Actinomycosis  of  the  lungs 438 

XLIII.  Actinomycosis  of  the  jaw 438 

XLIV.  Section  of  muscle  from  a  blackleg  swelling 448 

XLV.  Necrotic  stomatitis  ( calf  diphtheria) 448 

XL VI.  Fig.  1. — Spleen  in  Texas  fever.     Fig.  2. — Normal  spleen 486 

XL VII.  Texas  fever ■ 486 

XLVIII.  The  cattle  tick  (Margaropus  annulalus) — the  carrierof  Texas  fever.  486 
XLIX.  Portion  of  a  steer's  hide  showing  the  Texas  fever  tick  (Marga- 
ropus annulalus)  of  the  United  States 486 

L.  Figs.  1  and  2. — Dorsal  and  ventral  views  of  male  Texas^ever  tick 
(Margaropus  annulalus).      Figs.  3  and  4. — Dorsal  and  ventral 

views  of  replete  female  Texas  fever  tick  ( Margaropus  annulalus) .  486 

LI.  Map  showing  district  infected  with  Texas  fever  of  cattle 486 

LII.  Verminous  bronchitis 514 

TEXT    FIGURE*. 

Fig.    1.  Cleaning  cattle  and  soil  by  the  "feed-lot"  method 479 

2.  Cleaning  cattle  and  soil  by  pasture  rotation 481 

3.  Horn  fly  ( Hsematobia  serrata)  in  resting  position 496 

4.  Horn  flies  (Hsematobia  serrata)  on  cow  horn 497 

5.  Buffalo  gnat 498 

6.  Screw  worm  (larva  of  Chrysomyia  macellaria) 498 

7.  Screw-worm  fly  Chrysomyia  macellaria) 498 

8.  The  warble  fly  ( Hypoderma  lineata) 499 

9.  Short-nosed  blue  louse  (Hsematopinus  eurysternus)  of  cattle 501 

10.  Long-nosed  blue  louse  (Hsematopinus  vituli)  of  cattle 501 

11.  Red  louse  ( Trichodectes  scalaris)  of  cattle 501 

12.  Egg  of  short-nosed  blue  louse  (Hicmatopinus  eurysternus)  attached  to 

a  hair 501 

13.  Mite  which  causes  psoroptic  scab  of  sheep 502 

14.  Portion  of  the  wall  of  the  first  stomach  with  conical  flukes  (Paramph  is- 

tomum  cervi)  attached 505 

15.  Twisted  stomach  worms  (Hsemonchus  contortus) 506 

16.  Twisted  stomach  worms  (Hsemonchus  contortus) 506 

17.  Embryo  of  twisted  stomach  worm  (Hsemonchus  contortus)  coiled  on 

tip  of  grass  blade 507 

18.  A  drenching  tube  made  from  an  ordinary  tin  funnel,  a  piece  of  rub- 

ber hose,  and  a  piece  of  brass  pipe 508 

19.  Piece  of  lining  of  fourth  stomach  showing  cysts  of  the  encysted  stom- 

ach worm  (Ostertagia  ostertagi) 510 

20.  A  tapeworm  (Moniezia  planissima)  which  infests  cattle 511 

21.  The  common  liver  fluke  (Fasciola  hepatica) 512 

22.  The  large  American  fluke  (Fasciola  magna) 512 

23.  Portion  of  grass  stalk  bearing  three  encysted  cercarise  of  the  common 

liver  fluke  ( Fasciola  hepatica) 513 

24.  Hydatids  (Echinococcus  granulosus)  in  portion  of  hog's  liver 514 

25.  Thin-necked  bladder  worm  ( Taenia  hydatigena)  from  abdominal  cavity 

of  a  steer 514 

26.  Section  of  a  pork  tongue  heavily  infested  with  pork  measles 515 

27.  Lung  worms  ( Dictyocaulus  viviparus )  of  cattle 516 


SPECIAL  REPORT 

ON 

DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  MEDICINES. 

By  Leonard  Pearson,  B.  S.,  V.  M.  D., 

Dean   of  the   Veterinary   Department,   University  of  Pennsylvania,  and  State 

Veterinarian  of  Pennsylvania. 

Medicines  may  be  administered  to  cattle  in  many  ways.  The  chan- 
nel and  method  of  administration  depend  on  whether  a  general  or  local 
effect  is  desired,  the  condition  of  the  animal,  and  the  nature  of  the  med- 
icine that  is  to  be  given.  It  is  the  easiest  method,  and  therefore  cus- 
tomary, to  give  ordinary  remedies  by  the  mouth,  either  with  the  food, 
or  with  drink,  or  separately.  There  are,  however,  some  conditions  in 
which  medicines  administered  in  this  way  will  not  act  promptly 
enough,  or  wherein  a  desired  effect  of  the  medicine  on  a  distant  part 
of  the  body  is  wholly  lacking,  unless  it  is  applied  in  some  other  way. 

The  various  methods  of  administering  medicines  to  cattle  will  be 
considered  below. 

By  the  mouth. — The  simplest  way  to  give  medicines  by  the  mouth 
is  to  mix  them  with  the  food  or  water.  This  can  be  done  when  the 
medicine  is  in  the  form  of  a  j)owder  or  fluid,  if  but  a  small  quantity 
is  to  be  given,  if  it  does  not  have  a  taste  that  is  disagreeable  to  the 
animal  and  is  not  so  irritant  as  to  injure  the  lining  membranes  of  the 
mouth  and  throat. 

The  usual  method  of  administering  bulky  or  unpalatable  doses  is  to 
mix  them  with  a  fluid  vehicle,  such  as  water,  milk,  molasses,  or  beer,  and 
give  from  a  bottle.  A  dose  given  in  this  way  is  known  as  a  "drench." 
In  administering  a  drench  the  head  of  the  animal  should  be  elevated 
a  little  by  an  assistant.  This  is  best  accomplished  when  standing  on 
the  left  side  of  the  cow's  head  and  by  grasping  the  nose  with  the  thumb 
and  fingers  of  the  right  hand  inserted  in  the'Tiostrils;  with  the  left 
hand  beneath  the  chin  the  head  is  further  raised  and  supported.  If 
the  animal  is  unruly,  it  may  be  tied  in  a  stall  or  placed  in  a  stanchion. 

9 


10  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

The  medicine  can  now  be  poured  into  the  mouth  by  inserting  the  neck 
of  the  bottle  between  the  lips  on  the  right  side.  Care  must  be  taken 
to  avoid  getting  the  bottle  between  the  back  teeth.  The  mouth  of  the 
bottle  should  be  inserted  as  far  as  the  middle  of  the  tongue  and  the 
contents  poured  slowly.  If  the  cow  coughs,  the  head  must  at  once 
be  lowered  to  permit  the  fluid  to  escape  from  the  larynx.  If  one  per- 
sists in  giving  medicine  during  coughing,  some  of  the  dose  may  pass 
down  the  windpipe  to  the  lungs  and  cause  a  severe  or  a  fatal  pneu- 
monia. This  accident  is  especially  to  be  guarded  against  when  the 
throat  is  partly  paralyzed  or  insensitive,  as  in  parturient  paresis  (milk 
fever).  In  this  disease  it  has  often  happened  that  drenches  have  been 
poured  into  the  lungs,  thus  killing  the  cow. 

The  amount  of  fluid  to  be  given  in  a  drench  depends  upon  the  effect 
that  is  sought  and  the  nature  of  the  medicine.  In  impactions  of  the 
stomach  very  large  quantities  of  fluid  may  be  given — as  much  as  a 
gallon  or  several  gallons  at  a  time.  Usually,  however,  it  is  not  cus- 
tomary or  desirable  to  give  more  than  from  1  to  2  quarts  at  a  dose, 
and  not  more  than  a  pint  unless  it  be  necessary  on  account  of  the 
irritant  quality  of  the  drug  that  has  to  be  shielded  with  a  large  quan- 
tity of  the  vehicle. 

Medicines  that  are  soluble  should  be  completely  dissolved  before 
they  are  given.  Insoluble  medicines  should  be  finely  divided  by 
powdering  or  by  shaking,  and  should  be  well  agitated  and  mixed 
immediately  before  they  are  given.  In  the  latter  case  a  menstruum 
with  considerable  body,  such  as  molasses  or  flaxseed  tea  or  milk,  will 
help  to  hold  solids  or  oils  in  suspension  until  swallowed. 

Balls  are  large  pills  adapted  for  the  larger  animals.  Powders  or 
gums  are  sometimes  mixed  with  an  adhesive  substance  and  rolled 
into  balls  for  the  purpose  of  convenience  of  administration.  Balls 
are  not  so  much  used  and  are  not  so  well  adapted  to  the  medica- 
tion of  cattle  as  of  horses.  The  process  of  solution  is  slower  in  the 
paunch  of  a  cow  than  in  the  stomach  of  a  horse;  and  if  the  cow  is  so 
sick  as  to  have  stopped  ruminating,  a  ball  may  become  covered  up 
and  lost  in  the  mass  of  material  in  the  paunch  and  so  lie  for  days, 
producing  no  effect  whatever. 

Capsules  are  shells  or  envelopes  made  of  soluble  gelatine  in  which 
powders  or  liquids  may  be  inclosed.  Capsules  and  balls  are  adminis- 
tered by  being  placed  on  the  tongue  well  back  in  the  mouth  while 
the  tongue  is  drawn  forward  and  the  mouth  is  held  open  by  a  block 
of  wood  between  the  back  teeth.  The  ball  should  be  dropped,  the 
tongue  released,  and  the  block  removed  as  nearly  simultaneously  as 
possible,  so  that  the  backward  carriage  of  the  tongue  will  throw  the 
ball  into  the  throat  and  lead  to  its  being  swallowed.  Care  must  be 
taken  to  avoid  having  the  hand  cut  or  crushed  while  introducing  the 
ball.  After  a  little  experience  it  is  possible  to  do  away  with  the  block 
of  wood  between  the  teeth  for  keeping  the  mouth  open. 


ADMINISTRATION    OF    MEDICINES.  11 

By  the  stomach. — Medicines  are  introduced  directly  into  the  first 
stomach  by  the  use  of  an  esophageal  tube  or  through  the  canula  of  a 
trocar  passed  into  the  paunch  through  the  side.  This  method  is  used 
in  the  treatment  of  diseases  of  digestion. 

By  the  rectum. — Medicines  are  usually  administered  by  the  rec- 
tum for  the  purpose  of  controlling  the  bowels  and  for  the  treatment 
of  local  diseases.  Sometimes,  however,  medicines  that  have  a  gen- 
eral effect  are  given  in  this  way  when,  for  any  reason,  it  is  not  possi- 
ble or  convenient  to  give  them  through  the  mouth.  Only  drugs  that 
are  readily  absorbed  should  be  given  per  rectum,  for  a  general  effect 
and  in  somewhat  larger  dose  or  more  frequentty  than  when  given  by 
the  mouth.  Such  stimulants  as  ether,  alcohol,  or  the  aromatic  spirits 
of  ammonia,  diluted  with  from  four  to  six  times  their  bulk  of  warm 
Water,  may  be  used  in  this  way. 

Rectal  injections,  or  enemata,  are  used  in  the  treatment  of  consti- 
pation. If  it  is  the  purpose  of  the  injection  to  soften  hardened  fecal 
masses,  the  water  should  be  comfortably  warm  and  it  may  have  a 
little  clean  soap  in  it.  If  it  is  the  purpose  of  the  injection  to  stimu- 
late sluggish  bowels  to  contraction,  the  water  may  be  cold. 

In  giving  rectal  injections  a  rectal  syringe  may  be  used,  or,  better, 
a  piece  of  one-half  to  three-quarter  inch  rubber  hose  5  feet  long  with 
a  tin  funnel  attached  to  one  end.  The  hose  is  soaped  or  oiled  and 
introduced  slowly  and  gently  into  the  rectum  2  or  3  feet.  The  fluid 
is  then  slowly  poured  into  the  funnel  and  allowed  to  gravitate  into 
the  rectum.  The  same  apparatus  may  be  used  for  feeding  by  the 
rectum. 

By  the  vagina. — Medicines  are  inserted  into  the  vagina,  and 
through  the  vagina  into  the  womb,  in  a  manner  similar  to  that  of 
rectal  administration.  Most  of  the  medication  made  use  of  in  this 
way  is  for  the  local  treatment  of  these  organs.  Following  calving, 
during  outbreaks  of  abortion,  and  in  an  infectious  disease  of  the 
vagina,  such  injections  become  necessary. 

By  the  udder. — Injections  into  the  udder  are  now  regularly  made 
in  the  treatment  of  parturient  paresis  (milk  fever).  For  this  pur- 
pose a  1  per  cent  solution  of  iodid  of  potash  is  commonly  employed, 
although  some  other  solutions  and  oxygen  gas  are  also  used.  In  mak- 
ing this  injection  there  are  so  many  precautions  necessary  in  relation 
to  the  sterilization  of  the  apparatus  and  the  teats  and  skin  that  this 
work  should  be  left  in  the  hands  of  a  skilled  veterinarian.  The  result 
of  the  introduction  of  even  a  minute  quantity  of  infectious  dirt  may 
be  the  loss  of  the  udder.  For  making  this  injection  one  may  use  one 
of  the  prepared  sets  of  apparatus  or  a  milking  tube  and  funnel  con- 
nected by  a  piece  of  small  rubber  hose.  The  apparatus  should  be 
boiled  and  wrapped  in  a  clean  towel  until  needed.  The  udder  and 
teats  and  the  hands  of  the  operator  must  be  well  disinfected,  and 
the  solution  must  be  freshly  made  with  recently  boiled  water  kept 


12  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

in  a  sterile  bottle.  The  udder  should  be  emptied  of  milk  before  the 
injectiou  is  made.  After  all  these  precautions  have  been  observed 
the  milking  tube  may  be  inserted  and  through  it  one-half  pint  of  solu- 
tion introduced  by  gravity  air  pressure  or  by  syringe.  There  is  prac- 
tically no  danger  in  this  mode  of  treatment  if  it  is  properly  carried  out. 

Injections  into  the  udder  are  sometimes  made  in  the  treatment  of 
garget,  but  so  far  with  indifferent  success. 

By  the  nostrils. — An  animal  may  be  caused  to  inhale  medicine 
in  the  form  of  gas  or  vapor  or  to  snuff  up  a  fine  powder.  Sometimes, 
for  the  purpose  of  local  treatment,  fluids  are  injected  into  the  nose. 

A  medicine  inhaled  may  have  a  local  effect  alone  or  a  general  effect. 

Medicated  steam,  carrying  the  volatile  products  of  creolin,  carbolic 
acid,  balsam  of  Peru,  compound  tincture  of  benzoin,  tincture  of 
iodine,  etc.,  may  be  liberated  beneath  the  nostrils  of  a  cow  so  that 
she  must  inhale  these  soothing  vapors;  but  such  treatment  is  not  so 
common  for  cattle  as  for  horses.  In  producing  general  anesthesia,  or 
insensibility  to  pain,  the  vapor  of  chloroform  or  ether  is  administered 
by  the  nostrils.  As  a  preliminary  to  this  it  is  necessary  to  cast  and 
confine  the  animal.  Great  care  is  necessary  to  avoid  complete  stop- 
page of  the  heart  or  breathing. 

By  the  trachea. — Medicines  are  injected  into  the  trachea,  or 
windpipe,  in  the  treatment  of  some  forms  of  diseases  of  the  lungs, 
and  especially  in  that  form  of  bronchitis  or  pneumonia  that  is  caused 
by  lungworms.  For  this  injection  a  large  hypodermic  syringe  is  used 
that  is  fitted  with  a  very  thick,  strong  needle.  The  needle  is  to  be 
inserted  about  the  middle  of  the  neck  and  between  the  cartilaginous 
rings  of  the  trachea. 

By  the  skin. — Although  a  number  of  drugs,  notably  mercury,  are 
so  readily  absorbed  by  the  skin  of  cattle  as  to  render  poisoning  easy, 
medicines  are  not  given  in  this  way  for  their  general  or  constitutional, 
but  only  for  their  local  effect. 

Diseases  of  the  skin  and  superficial  parasites  are  treated  or 
destroyed  by  applications  in  the  forms  of  washes,  ointments,  dips, 
and  powders.  Liniments  and  lotions  are  applied  to  the  skin  for  the 
relief  of  some  near-lying  part,  such  as  a  muscle,  tendon,  or  joint. 
Blisters  are  applied  to  the  skin  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  the  effect 
of  counterirritation  upon  a  neighboring  region  or  organ.  Cold  water 
maybe  applied  to  the  skin  to  reduce  the  temperature  and  to  diminish 
congestion  or  inflammation  in  a  superficial  area  or  to  reduce  the  tem- 
perature of  the  whole  body.  High  fever  and  heat  strokes  are  treated 
in  this  way. 

By  the  tissue  beneath  the  skin. — Hypodermic  or  subcutaneous 
injections  are  often  made  for  the  purpose  of  introducing  a  drug, 
reagent,  or  vaccine  directly  into  the  connecting  tissue  beneath  the 
skin.     Introduced  in  this  way,  the  substance  is  quickly  absorbed, 


ADMLNISTKATION    OF   MEDICINES.  13 

none  of  it  is  lost,  and  its  whole  effect  is  obtained,  often  within  a  few 
minutes. 

There  are  numerous  precautions  necessary  in  making  a  subcutane- 
ous injection,  most  of  which  have  to  do  with  cleansing  and  steriliza- 
tion. It  is  also  important  to  select  a  proper  site  for  the  injection,  so 
that  blood  vessels,  joints,  and  superficial  nerves,  organs,  or  cavities 
may  all  be  avoided.  With  due  regard  for  the  necessary  precautions, 
there  is  practically  no  danger  in  such  an  injection,  but  it  should  be 
attempted  onty  by  those  who  are  able  to  carry  it  through  in  a  surgi- 
cally clean  way.  Only  certain  drugs  can  be  given  subcutaneously, 
and  dosage  must  be  accurately  graduated. 

By  the  veins. — Certain  medicines  act  most  promptly  and  surely 
when  introduced  directly  into  the  blood  by  injecting  them  into  a  vein. 
The  jugular  vein  is  usually  selected  for  this  purpose.  Some  vaccines 
and  antitoxins  are  administered  in  this  way.  Intravenous  injection 
should  be  practiced  only  by  experienced  veterinarians. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  DIGESTIVE  ORGANS. 

By  A.  J.  Murray,  M.  R.  C.  V.  S. 
[Revised  in  1904  by  Leonard  Pearson,  B.  S.,  V.  M.  D.,  and  in  1908  by  R.  W.  Hickman,  V.  M.  D.] 

CHARACTER   OF   FEEDS   AND   FEEDING. 

Diseases  of  the  digestive  organs  are  very  common  among  cattle,  and 
may  often  be  traced  to  defects  in  feeding.  The  first  three  stomachs 
of  the  larger  ruminants  hold  the  feed  for  a  long  time,  during  which 
period  it  is  subjected  to  macerating,  mixing,  and  straining  processes 
in  preparation  for  entrance  into  the  fourth  or  true  stomach.  The 
straining  is  accomplished  through  the  medium  of  the  manyplies  or 
book,  while  the  paunch,  with  its  adjunct,  the  waterbag,  is  concerned 
in  the  macerating,  kneading,  and  mixing,  as  well  as  in  regurgitation 
for  rumination,  or  the  chewing  of  the  cud.  The  action  of  the  three 
first  stomachs  is  merely  preparatory  to  digestion.  Thus  it  would 
seem  that  as  a  result  of  their  complex  anatomical  and  functional 
arrangement,  the  feed  of  the  ox,  when  of  good  quality  and  whole- 
some, is  in  the  most  favorable  condition  possible  for  the  digestive 
process  when  it  reaches  the  fourth  stomach.  It  is  in  the  fourth 
stomach  that  true  digestion  first  takes  place.  If  the  feed  is  of  improper 
character,  or  is  so  given  that  it  can  not  be  cared  for  by  the  animal  in  a 
normal  way,  false  fermentations  arise,  causing  indigestion,  and  pos- 
sibly, later,  organic  disease.  In  feeding  cattle  there  are  a  number  of 
important  considerations  apart  from  the  economy  of  the  ration,  and 
some  of  these  are  noted  below. 

Feeds  must  not  be  damaged  by  exposure  to  the  weather,  by  frost, 
by  molds,  or  by  deleterious  fermentations. 

Damaged  feeds  retard  or  prevent  digestion,  and  sometimes  they 
contain  or  cause  to  be  generated  substances  that  irritate  the  digestive 
tract  or  are  distinctly  poisonous  to  the  animal.  For  example,  hay 
that  was  rained  on  severely  during  curing  has  not  only  lost  a  part  of 
its  nutritive  value  through  a  washing-out  process,  but  what  remains 
is  not  so  readily  available  as  in  good  hay.  Roots  that  have  been 
frozen  are  likely  to  irritate  and  injure  the  digestive  tract.  Grass 
eaten  with  the  frost  on  it  may  cause  severe  indigestion.  Moldy  feeds 
are  not  all  injurious,  for  some  molds  appear  to  have  no  influence  on 
the  process  of  digestion,  but  molds  of  other  species  may  not  only 
retard  digestion  and  cause  local  injury  to  the  digestive  organs,  but 
they  may  also  cause  general  poisoning  of  a  severe  or  fatal  type. 
14 


DISEASES   OF    THE   DIGESTIVE    ORGANS.  15 

The  following  molds  have  been  shown  (Dammann)  to  be  dangerous 
in  respect  of  the  production  of  the  morbid  conditions  enumerated : 

Tilletia  caries  grows  chiefly  in  wheat,  and  may  be  found  with  the 
grain  thus  appearing  in  the  bran  or  meal.  It  causes  paralysis  of  the 
throat  and  spinal  cord  and  irritation  of  the  digestive  tract.  The 
rusts,  such  as  Puccinia  graminis,  P.  straminis,  P.  coronata,  and  P. 
arundinacea,  cause  colic  and  diarrhea,  and  in  some  cases  partial 
paralysis  of  the  throat.  The  rusts  that  occur  on  clovers,  beans,  and 
peas  cause  very  severe  irritation  of  the  lining  membrane  of  the  mouth 
and  throat,  resulting  sometimes  in  gangrene  of  this  tissue. 

Polydesmus  excitans  grows  on  the  leaves  of  rape  and  turnips, 
appearing  in  early  summer.  This  fungus  is  very  irritating  to  the 
mouths  and  feet  of  cattle,  causing  severe  inflammation  and  the  for- 
mation of  a  false  membrane.  In  some  instances  this  condition  has 
been  mistaken  for  foot-and-mouth  disease,  but  it  can  be  differentiated 
by  the  absence  of  the  blister  that  is  characteristic  of  foot-and-mouth 
disease  and  by  the  further  fact  that  it  is  nontransmissible. 

Polytrincium  trifolii,  which  grows  on  clover,  causing  it  to  become 
black,  causes  severe  irritation  of  the  stomach  and  intestines  of  cattle 
feeding  upon  it. 

Feeds  must  not  contain  too  large  a  proportion  of  woody  fiber  or 
indigestible  substances.  If  the  dry  matter  ingested  or  the  bulk  of 
the  feed  be  very  great  on  account  of  the  small  proportion  of  digesti- 
ble matter,  it  is  impossible  for  the  great  mass  to  be  properly  mois- 
tened with  and  attacked  by  the  digestive  juices.  In  consequence  of 
this,  abnormal  fermentations  arise  that  cause  indigestion  and  irrita- 
tion of  the  digestive  organs.  On  the  other  hand,  a  ration  too  con- 
centrated, and  especially  too  rich  in  protein,  is  not  suitable,  because 
the  animal  must  have,  after  a  meal,  a  certain  feeling  of  fullness  in 
order  to  be  comfortable  and  quiet,  and  the  digestive  organs  require  a 
relatively  large  volume  of  contents  to  fill  them  to  the  point  where 
secretion  is  properly  stimulated  and  their  activity  is  most  efficient. 
If  too  much  protein  is  in  the  ration  there  is  a  waste  of  expensive  feed, 
and  the  tendency  is  for  the  animal  to  become  thin.  It  is  evident  that 
a  cow  can  not  thrive  on  concentrated  feeds  alone,  even  though  these 
contain  in  assimilable  form  all  of  the  nutritive  materials  needed  for 
perfect  support.  It  is  because  bulk  is  necessary  that  the  standard  of 
about  25  pounds  of  dry  matter  per  cow  per  day  has  been  reached  by 
experimentalists.  There  is  no  objection  to  feeding  grain  or  meal 
separately  to  a  cow,  provided  enough  bulky  feed  be  fed  at  another 
time  in  the  day  to  keep  the  digestive  tract  sufficiently  distended. 

In  changing  the  ration,  and  especially  in  making  radical  changes, 
as  at  the  beginning  and  end  of  the  pasturing  season,  the  change  should 
be  made  gradually,  so  that  the  digestive  organs  may  accommodate 
themselves  to  it.  After  the  digestive  organs  and  juices  have  from 
long  practice  become  adjusted  to  the  digestion  of  a  certain  feed,  which 


16  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

is  then  suddenly  withheld  and  another  of  quite  different  character 
and  properties  is  substituted,  the  second  feed  is  not  well  digested;  it 
may  even  irritate  the  digestive  canal.  It  is  often  observed  that  cattle 
lose  from  25  to  100  pounds  when  turned  onto  pasture  from  dry  stable 
feed.  This  loss  can  readily  be  prevented  by  avoiding  the  shock  to 
the  digestive  organs  of  a  sudden  change  of  diet. 

Regularity  in  feeding  has  much  to  do  with  the  utilization  of  the 
ration,  and  gross  irregularity  may  cause  indigestion  and  serious 
disease. 

Water  for  live  stock  should  be  as  free  from  contamination  and  as 
pure  as  that  used  for  household  purposes.  In  the  winter  when  prac- 
ticable it  is  well  to  warm  the  ^ater  to  about  50°  F.  It  is  well  to  allow 
cattle  to  drink  often. 

DISEASES  OF  THE  MOUTH. 

WOUNDS  AND  CONTUSIONS   OF  THE  LIPS,   AND  SNAKE  BITE. 

The  lips  may  become  inflamed  from  contusions,  which  are  some- 
times produced  by  a  blow  from  the  horns  of  another  animal,  or,  in  the 
case  of  working  oxen,  by  a  blow  from  the.  driver.  While  cattle  are 
grazing  they  may  be  bitten  in  the  lips  by  either  insects  or  serpents, 
more  especially  when  they  are  pastured  in  woods. 

Symptoms. — As  a  result  of  a  contusion  the  lips  become  thick  and 
swollen,  and  if  treatment  is  neglected  the  swelling  may  become  hard 
and  indurated,  or  an  abscess  may  form.  This  condition  renders  it 
difficult  for  the  animal  to  get  food  into  its  mouth,  on  account  of  the 
lips  having  lost  their  natural  flexibility.  In  such  cases  an  ox  will  use 
his  tongue  more  in  the  prehension  of  food  to  make  up  for  the  inca- 
pacity of  the  lips.  In  cases  of  snake  bite  the  swelling  is  soft  or  puffy 
and  its  limits  are  not  well  defined. 

Treatment. — When  we  have  to  deal  with  a  bruise,  the  affected  part 
should  be  bathed  with  hot  water  two  or  three  times  daily.  In  recent 
cases  no  other  treatment  will  be  required,  but  if  the  swelling  is  not 
recent  and  has  become  hard  or  indurated,  then  the  swollen  part 
should  be  treated  each  day  by  painting  it  with  tincture  of  iodin.  In 
snake  bite  a  straight  incision  penetrating  into  the  flesh  or  muscle 
should  be  made  across  the  center  of  the  swelling  and  in  the  direction 
of  the  long  axis  of  the  face.  After  this  has  been  done  a  small  wad  of 
cotton  batting  should  be  pressed  against  the  wounds  until  the  bleed- 
ing has  almost  stopped.  Afterwards  the  following  lotion  may  be 
applied  to  the  wounds  several  times  a  day:  Permanganate  of  potash, 
half  a  dram;  distilled  water,  1  pint.  As  snake  bites  are  usually 
attended  with  considerable  depression,  which  may  terminate  in  stu- 
por, it  is  advisable  to  give  doses  of  whisky  at  intervals.  Half  a  pint 
of  whisky  mixed  with  a  pint  of  water  should  be  given,  and  the  dose 


DISEASES   OF   THE   DIGESTIVE   ORGANS.  17 

should  be  repeated  in  half  an  hour  if  the  animal  is  sinking  into  a 
stupefied  and  unconscious  condition.  The  repetition  of  the  dose 
must  depend  on  the  symptoms  which  the  animal  shows.  It  must  be 
borne  in  mind  that  the  object  of  treatment  is  to  ward  off  the  stupor, 
which  is  one  of  the  results  of  snake  bite,  and  that  in  administering 
whisky  the  object  is  to  produce  a  stimulating  and  not  an  intoxicating 
or  stupefying  effect.  The  swelling  from  an  insect  bite  should  be 
bathed  as  soon  as  noticed  with  ammonia  water  and  then  treated  with 
frequent  applications  of  hot  water. 

SALIVATION. 

Salivation  is  a  symptom  of  some  general  or  local  disorder.  It  may 
be  a  symptom  of  a  general  disease,  such  as  rabies  or  the  foot-and- 
mouth  disease,  or  it  may  be  a  purely  local  trouble,  as  when  copious 
secretion  of  the  salivary  glands  is  produced  by  the  eating  of  irritat- 
ing plants,  such  as  wild  mustard.  In  cases  where  saliva  is  observed 
to  dribble  from  the  mouth,  that  part  must  be  carefully  examined  by 
introducing  an  instrument  like  a  balling-iron  into  the  mouth,  or,  if 
such  an  instrument  is  not  at  hand,  by  grasping  the  tongue  and  par- 
tially withdrawing  it  from  the  mouth,  and  by  placing  a  block  of 
wood  between  the  back  teeth,  while  all  parts  of  the  mouth  are  exposed 
to  a  good  light,  so  that  the  presence  of  any  foreign  substance  may  be 
detected.  The  cause  will  sometimes  be  found  to  depend  on  a  short 
piece  of  wood  becoming  fixed  on  the  palate,  its  two  ends  resting  on 
the  upper  molar  teeth  of  each  side;  or  it  may  depend  on  a  needle, 
thorn,  or  spinter  of  wood  becoming  embedded  in  the  tongue.  Some- 
times a  sharp  piece  of  tin  or  other  metal  may  become  partially  em- 
bedded in  the  inner  surface  of  the  cheek.  Hay  occasionally  possesses 
some  quality,  usually  dependent  upon  its  having  heated  in  the  mow 
or  having  become  moldy,  which  produces  salivation.  Second-crop 
clover  and  some  irritant  weeds  in  the  pasture  or  forage  may  cause 
salivation.  Cattle  rubbed  with  mercurial  ointment  may  in  licking 
themselves  swallow  enough  mercury  to  bring  about  the  same  result. 
(See  "Mercury  poisoning,"  p.  59.)  Such  cases,  of  course,  arise  from 
the  constitutional  action  of  mercury,  and  indicate  the  danger  of  using 
such  a  preparation  externally  on  account  of  the  common  habit  which 
the  animals  have  of  licking  themselves.  Mercury  is  also  readily 
absorbed  through  the  skin,  and,  as  cattle  are  very  susceptible  to  its 
action,  it  is  thus  easy  for  them  to  be  poisoned  by  it  even  without  lick- 
ing it  from  the  surface. 

Treatment. — If  salivation  depends  on  the  irritation  and  inflamma- 
tion set  up  by  the  ingestion  of  acrid  plants,  or  forage  possessing  some 
peculiar  stimulating  property,  the  food  must  be  changed  and  a  lotion 
composed  of  an  ounce  of  powdered  alum  dissolved  in  a  quart  of  water 
may  be  syringed  into  the  mouth  twice  a  day,  using  half  a  pint  of  the 
61386—08 2 


18  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

solution  each  time.  If,  however,  the  salivation  depends  on  the 
presence  of  a  thorn,  splinter  of  wood,  or  any  other  foreign  substance 
embedded  in  the  cheek  or  tongue,  remove  the  offending  object  and 
wash  the  mouth  occasionally  with  a  weak  solution  (2  per  cent)  of  car- 
bolic acid  and  tepid  water.  When  salivation  is  produced  by  mercu- 
rial poisoning  or  by  the  foot-and-mouth  disease,  the  treatment  appro- 
priate to  those  general  conditions  of  the  system,  as  well  as  the  local 
treatment,  must  be  applied. 

IRREGULARITIES   OF   THE   TEETH. 

Irregularities  of  the  teeth  may  be  occasioned  by  the  unequal  wear- 
ing of  some  of  the  teeth  or  by  some  of  the  incisors  being  broken,  which 
may  happen  when  cattle  are  pastured  on  sandy  or  gravelly  soil.  The 
molar  teeth  may  also  show  irregular  wear  from  similar  causes,  or  from 
a  disease  or  malformation  of  the  jaw.  Their  edges  may  become  sharp, 
or  it  may  happen  that  a  molar  tooth  has  been  accidentally  factured. 
It  may  also  occur  that  a  supernumerary  tooth  has  developed  in  an 
unusual  position,  and  that  it  interferes  with  the  natural  and  regular 
mastication  of  the  food. 

Treatment — The  mouth  may  be  examined  by  grasping  the  animal's 
tongue  with  one  hand  and  partially  withdrawing  it  from  the  mouth, 
so  as  to  expose  the  incisor  and  molar  teeth  to  inspection.  When  it 
is  desired,  however,  to  examine  the  molar  teeth  with  the  fingers,  so  as 
to  obtain  a  more  precise  idea  of  their  condition,  an  instrument  like 
the  balling  iron  which  is  used  for  the  horse  should  be  iutroduced  into 
the  mouth,  so  as  to  separate  the  jaws  and  keep  them  apart  while  the 
examination  is  being  made.  Any  sharp  edges  of  the  molars  must  be 
removed  by  the  tooth  rasp,  such  as  is  used  for  horses.  Any  super- 
numerary tooth  which  interferes  with  mastication  or  any  tooth  which 
is  fractured  or  loose  should  be  extracted.  In  performing  such  oper- 
ations it  is  desirable  to  throw,  or  east,  the  animal,  and  to  have  its 
head  held  securely,  so  as  to  enable  the  operator  to  do  what  is  neces- 
sary without  difficulty. 

CARIES  OR  DECAY  OF  THE  TEETH. 

The  presence  of  caries  may  be  suspected  if  the  mouth  exhales  a  bad 
odor  and  if  the  animal  occasionally  stops  during  mastication  as  if  it 
were  in  pain.  The  existence  of  caries  in  a  molar  tooth  may  be  ascer- 
tained by  examining  the  mouth  in  the  manner  already  described.  If 
one  of  the  molars  is  found  to  be  carious,  it  should  be  extracted. 
When  the  crown  of  the  tooth  has  been  destroyed  and  only  the  stump 
or  root  is  left,  extraction  will  be  impracticable.  In  such  cases  it  is 
best  to  sell  the  animal  to  the  butcher  unless  it  have  special  value,  in 
which  case  the  root  stumps  may  be  removed  by  a  veterinarian  by  the 
operation  of  trephining. 


DISEASES   OF   THE   DIGESTIVE    ORGANS.  19 

ACTINOMYCOSIS  OF  THE  JAWBONES  (BIQ  JAW  OR  LUMPY  JAW). 

[See  Actinomycosis  p.  430.] 
INFLAMMATION  OF  MUCOUS  MEMBRANE  OF  MOUTH  (STOMATITIS). 

The  membrane  of  the  mouth  may  be  become  inflamed  by  cattle  eating 
some  irritating  substance  or  plant,  or  little  vesicles  may  form  in  the 
mouths  of  calves  when  they  are  affected  with  indigestion,  constitu- 
ting what  is  termed  aphtha. 

Symptoms. — The  saliva  dribbles  from  the  mouth,  and  when  the 
mouth  is  examined  the  surface  of  the  tongue  and  other  parts  will 
appear  red  and  inflamed.  When  young  animals  are  affected  with 
the  form  of  disease  termed  aphtha,  small  red  elevations  will  be  observed 
on  the  tongue  and  other  parts  of  the  mouth,  having  little  white  points 
on  their  centers,  which  consist  of  the  epithelium  of  the  mucous  mem- 
brane raised  into  vesicles.  These  white  patches  are  succeeded  by 
ulcerated  surfaces,  which  are  caused  by  the  shedding  of  the  white 
patches  of  epithelium. 

Treatment. — When  there  is  merely  a  reddened  and  inflamed  condi- 
tion of  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  mouth,  it  will  suffice  to  syringe 
it  out  several  times  a  day  with  4  ounces  of  the  following  solution : 
Alum,  1  ounce ;  water,  2  pints.  When  the  edges  of  the  tongue  and 
other  parts  of  the  mouth  are  studded  with  ulcers,  these  should  be 
painted  over  once  a  day  until  the  affected  surface  is  healed,  with  the 
following  solution :  Permanganate  of  potash,  20  grains;  water,  1  ounce. 
When  indigestion  is  associated  with  an  ulcerated  condition  of  the 
mouth,  separate  treatment  is  required. 

ULCERATIVE  STOMATITIS    (OR   ULCERS   IN   THE  MOUTHS   OF   YOUNG  CALVES). 

[See  Necrotic  stomatitis,  p.  461.] 

INDURATION   OF  THE  TONGUE    (ACTINOMYCOSIS). 

[See  Actinomycosis,  p.  430.] 

DISEASES   OP   THE   PHARYNX  AND   GULLET. 

PHARYNGITIS    (SORE  THROAT). 

This  is  an  inflammation  of  the  mucous  membrane  lining  the  pharynx. 
It  is  frequently  associated  with  inflammatory  diseases  of  the  respira- 
tory tract,  such  as  laryngitis  and  bronchitis  or  pleurisy. 

Symptoms. — The  muzzle  is  dry  and  the  saliva  dribbles  from  the  cor- 
ners of  the  mouth;  the  animal  either  does  not  swallow  or  swallows  with 
difficulty,  and  holds  its  neck  in  a  stiff,  straight  position,  moving  it  as 
little  as  possible.  The  eyelids  are  half  closed,  the  white  of  the  eye  is 
bloodshot,  and  the  animal  occasionally  grinds  its  teeth.     After  masti- 


20  DISEASES   OF   CATTLE. 

eating  the  food  the  animal  drops  it  out  of  its  mouth  as  if  to  avoid  the 
pain  of  swallowing,  and  also  evinces  pain  when  pressure  is  applied  on 
the  pharynx  externally  and  tries  to  prevent  such  pressure  being 
applied. 

Causes. — Pharyngitis  may  be  produced  by  a  sudden  cooling  of  the 
surface  of  the  body,  as  when  cattle  are  exposed  to  a  cold  wind  or  a 
cold  rain ;  or  by  swallowing  irritant  substances. 

Treatment. — The  throat  should  be  syringed  three  times  a  day  with 
an  ounce  of  the  following  solution :  Nitrate  of  silver,  1£  drams,  dis- 
tilled water,  1  pint.  Bland  and  soothing  drinks,  such  as  linseed  tea 
or  oatmeal  and  water,  should  occasionally  be  offered.  Diet  should 
consist  of  soft  food,  such  as  bran  mashes  with  a  little  linseed  meal 
mixed  in  them.  Dry  hay  and  fodder  should  be  avoided.  Fresh 
green  grass  or  sound  ensilage  may  be  fed  in  small  quantities.  The 
upper  part  of  the  throat  and  the  space  between  the  jaws  should  be 
well  rubbed  once  a  day  with  the  following  liniment:  Liquor  ammonia 
fortior,  4  ounces;  oil  of  turpentine,  4  ounces;  olive  oil,  4  ounces; 
mix.  When  evidence  of  blistering  appears  the  application  of  the  lin- 
iment should  be  stopped  and  the  skin  anointed  with  vaseline.  Under 
the  above  treatment  the  inflammation  of  the  throat  will  gradually 
subside  and  the  animal  will  be  able  to  swallow  as  usual  in  five  or  six 
days.  We  need  hardly  say  that  during  its  treatment  the  sick  animal 
should  be  kept  in  a  comfortable  stable. 

PAROTITIS. 

Inflammation  of  the  parotid  gland  may  arise  from  the  inflammation 
extending  to  it  when  an  ox  is  affected  with  pharyngitis  or  laryngitis, 
or  the  inflammation  may  commence  in  the  salivary  ducts  and  may 
depend  on  some  influence  the  nature  of  which  is  unknown.  Parotitis 
sometimes  arises  from  a  blow  or  contusion  which  is  severe  enough  to 
set  up  inflammation  in  the  structure  of  the  gland.  Tuberculosis  and 
actinomycosis  may  infrequently  be  characterized  by  the  lodgment  of 
their  parasitic  causes  in  the  parotid  glands,  in  which  case  parotitis 
may  be  a  symptom  of  either  of  these  diseases. 

Symptoms. — There  is  an  elongated  painful  swelling,  beginning  at 
the  base  of  the  ear  and  passing  downward  along  the  posterior  margin 
of  the  lower  jaw.  The  swelling  is  sometimes  limited  to  one  side,  and 
when  both  sides  are  swollen  it  is  generally  larger  on  one  side  than  on 
the  other.  The  secretion  of  saliva  is  increased,  the  appetite  is  poor, 
the  neck  is  stiff,  so  that  it  is  painful  to  raise  the  head,  and  food  is 
swallowed  with  difficulty.  In  many  cases  the  swelling  of  those  glands, 
when  submitted  to  proper  treatment,  disappears  in  a  comparatively 
short  time.  In  other  cases,  however,  the  gland  remains  enlarged, 
even  after  the  animal  recovers  its  appetite.  In  tuberculosis,  lym- 
phatic glands  beneath  the  parotid  glands  are  sometimes  enlarged,  thus 
causing  the  appearance  of  enlarged  parotid  glands. 


DISEASES   OF   THE   DIGESTIVE   ORGANS.  21 

Treatment. — A  warm  bran  poultice,  made  by  mixing  bran  with  a 
hot  2  per  cent  solutiou  of  creolin  in  water,  should  be  applied  on  the 
swollen  gland,  maintained  in  place  by  means  of  a  bandage.  When- 
ever the  poultice  has  cooled  it  should  be  replaced  by  a  new  one. 
This  treatment  should  be  continued  until  the  pain  is  less  and  the  swell- 
ing is  reduced  or  until  there  is  evidence  of  pus  formation,  which  may 
be  ascertained  by  examining  the  surface  of  the  gland  with  the  fingers; 
and  when,  on  pressing  any  part  of  the  surface,  it  is  found  to  fluctuate 
or  "give," then  we  may  conclude  that  there  is  at  that  place  a  collec- 
tion of  pus.  It  is  well  not  to  open  the  abscess  until  the  fluctuation 
is  well  marked,  as  at  this  stage  the  pus  or  matter  is  near  the  surface 
and  there  is  less  trouble  in  healing  the  wound  than  if  the  pus  is  deep 
seated.  The  abscess  should  be  opened  with  a  clean,  sharp  knife. 
The  poulticing  should  then  be  continued  for  two  or  three  days,  but 
the  form  of  the  poultice  should  be  changed,  by  replacing  the  bran 
with  absorbent  cotton  and  pouring  the  creolin  solution  on  the  cotton. 
At  all  times  the  wound  should  be  kept  clean  and  the  cavity  injected 
once  or  twice  daily  with  a  solution  of  1  dram  of  carbolic  acid  in  8 
ounces  of  water.  Under  this  treatment  the  pus  may  cease  and  the 
wound  heal  without  complications.  Saliva  may  issue  from  the  orifice 
and  result  in  the  formation  of  a  salivary  fistula.  This  requires  oper- 
ative treatment,  which  should  be  performed  by  a  qualified  veterina- 
rian. When  poulticing  fails  to  reduce  the  swelling  or  produce 
softening,  the  inflamed  area  may  be  rubbed  once  daily  with  camphor- 
ated oil,  compound  iodin  ointment,  or  painted  twice  daily  with  Lugol's 
solution  of  iodin.  The  diet  should  be  as  recommended  under 
Pharyngitis  (p.  20). 

PHARYNGEAL  POLYPI. 

Tumors  form  not  infrequently  in  the  pharynx,  and  may  give  rise  to 
a  train  of  symptoms  varying  according  to  their  size  and  location. 
The  tumor  may  be  so  situated  that  by  shifting  its  position  a  little  it 
may  partially  obstruct  the  posterior  nares  (nostrils),  when,  of  course, 
it  will  render  nasal  breathing  very  noisy  and  labored.  In  another 
situation  its  partial  displacement  may  impede  the  entrance  of  air  into 
the  larynx.  In  almost  any  part  of  the  pharynx,  but  especially  near 
the  entrance  of  the  gullet,  they  will  interfere  with  the  act  of  swal- 
lowing. As  these  tumors  are  frequently  attached  to  the  wall  of  the 
pharynx  by  a  pedicel,  or  stalk,  it  will  be  seen  that  they  may  readily 
be  displaced  in  different  directions  so  as  to  produce  the  symptoms 
before  described.  Enlarged  postpharyngeal  lymphatic  glands  are  not 
rare  in  tuberculosis  and  by  pressing  npon  the  wall  of  the  pharynx 
and  restricting  the  lumen  of  this  organ  they  cause  difficulty  in  both 
breathing  and  swallowing.  Such  enlarged  glands  may  be  differenti- 
ated from  tumors  by  passing  the  hand  into  the  cow's  throat  after  the 
jaws  are  separated  by  a  suitable  speculum  or  gag. 


22  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

Treatment. — The  method  of  treatment  followed  in  such  cases  is  to 
separate  the  animal's  jaws  with  an  instrument  termed  a  gag,  and  then, 
after  drawing  the  tongue  partially  forward,  to  pass  the  hand  into  the 
pharynx  and  to  gently  twist  the  tumor  from  its  attachment.  One 
veterinarian  who  has  had  considerable  practice  in  treating  this  form 
of  disease  scrapes  through  the  attachment  of  the  tumor  gradually 
with  his  thumb  nail.  In  cases  where  the  attachment  is  too  strong  to 
be  severed  in  this  way  an  instrument  like  a  thimble,  but  possessing 
a  sharp  edge  at  the  end,  might  be  used  to  effect  the  same  purpose,  or 
the  base  of  the  tumor  maybe  severed  by  the  use  of  a  crushing  instru- 
ment known  as  an  ecraseur. 

CHOKING. 

This  accident  usualty  happens  from  attempting  to  swallow  too  large 
an  object,  such  as  a  turnip,  potato,  beet,  or  an  apple  or  pear,  though 
in  rare  cases  choking  may  occur  from  bran,  chaff,  or  some  other  finely 
divided  food  lodging  in  and  filling  up  a  portion  of  the  gullet.  This 
latter  form  of  the  accident  is  most  likely  to  occur  in  animals  which 
are  greedy  feeders. 

Symptoms. — The  symptoms  will  vary  somewhat  according  to  the  part 
of  the  gullet  or  throat  in  which  the  obstruction  is  located.  In  most 
cases  there  is  a  discharge  of  saliva  from  the  mouth;  the  animal  coughs 
frequently,  and  when  it  drinks  the  water  is  soon  ejected.  The  cow 
stops  eating  and'  stands  back  from  the  trough,  the  expression  is 
troubled,  breathing  is  accelerated,  and  oftentimes  the  animal  bloats 
as  a  result  of  the  retention  of  gas  in  the  paunch.  These  symptoms, 
however,  are  not  always  present,  for  if  the  obstacle  does  not  com- 
pletely close  the  throat,  or  gullet,  gas  and  water  may  pass,  thus  amel- 
iorating the  discomfort.  If  the  obstruction  is  in  the  neck  portion  of 
the  gullet,  it  may  be  felt  as  a  lump  in  the  left  jugular  gutter. 

Treatment. — If  the  object  is  in  the  throat,  it  is  advisable  to  put  a 
gag  in  the  animal's  mouth,  and,  while  the  head  is  held  in  a  horizontal 
direction  by  two  assistants,  to  pass  the  hand  into  the  pharynx,  grasp 
the  foreign  body,  and  withdraw  it  gradually  and  steadily.  When  the 
substance  is  lodged  in  the  upper  part  of  the  gullet,  pressure  should 
be  made  by  an  assistant  in  an  upward  direction  against  the  object 
while  the  operator  passes  his  hand  into  the  pharynx,  and  if  the  assist- 
ant can  not  by  pressure  dislodge  the  substance  from  the  gullet,  the 
operator  may  by  passing  his  middle  finger  above  and  partly  behind 
the  substance  gradually  slide  the  object  into  the  pharynx  and  then 
withdraw  it  by  the  mouth.  The  presence  of  an  obstructing  substance 
in  the  cervical  portion  of  the  gullet  may  be  ascertained  by  passing  the 
hand  along  the  left  side  of  the  neck,  when  a  hard  and  painless  swell- 
ing will  be  found  to  indicate  the  presence  of  the  foreign  body.  In 
such  cases  we  must  endeavor  by  gentle  and  persevering  pressure  with 


DISEASES   OF   THE   DIGESTIVE    ORGANS.  23 

the  thumb  and  two  next  fingers  to  slide  the  obstructing  substance 
gradually  upward  to  the  pharynx.  To  facilitate  this  it  is  well  to  give 
the  animal  a  half  pint  of  raw  linseed  or  olive  oil  before  the  manipu- 
lations described  are  commenced.  When  the  substance  has  been 
brought  into  or  nearly  into  the  pharynx,  then  the  mouth  gag  should 
be  used,  the  tongue  drawn  partially  forward  with  the  left  hand,  and 
the  right  should  be  passed  backward  into  the  pharynx  to  withdraw 
the  obstruction.  When  bran  or  chaff  causes  the  trouble  it  is  best 
to  give  a  small  quantity  of  oil  to  lubricate  the  walls  of  the  gullet  and 
then  by  gentle  and  persevering  pressure  to  endeavor  to  separate  and 
divide  the  mass  and  to  work  it  downward  toward  the  stomach. 
This  will  be  assisted  by  pouring  small  quantities  of  oil  and  water 
down  the  animal's  throat.  It  is  not  advisable  to  use  the  probang  to 
push  down  any  soft  material,  such  as  oats  or  chaff,  as  this  generally 
condenses  and  renders  firmer  the  obstructing  substance  by  pressing 
its  particles  or  elements  together,  so  that  it  forms  a  solid,  resisting 
mass  which  can  not  be  moved. 

In  some  cases,  either  because  located  in  the  chest  portion  of  the 
esophagus,  and  so  beyond  reach,  or  because  too  firmly  seated,  the 
foreign  body  can  not  be  dislodged  from  the  neck  by  pressing  and 
manipulating  that  part  externally.  In  such  an  event  we  must  resort 
to  the  use  of  the  probang.  (PI.  Ill,  figs.  2  and  3. )  A  probang  is  a 
flexible  instrument,  and  adapts  itself  to  the  natural  curvature  of  the 
gullet,  so  that  if  it  is  used  cautiously  there  is  not  much  risk  of  injury. 
Before  passing  the  probang,  a  gag  which  has  an  aperture  at  each 
end,  from  which  straps  pass  to  be  buckled  at  the  back  of  the  head 
below  the  horns,  is  introduced  into  the  mouth.  (PI.  Ill,  fig.  4.)  The 
probang  should  then  be  oiled ,  and,  the  head  and  neck  being  held  in  a 
straight  line  by  two  assistants,  the  tongue  must  be  partly  drawn  out 
of  the  mouth,  the  probang  cautiously  passed  along  the  roof  of  the 
mouth  into  the  pharynx  and  thence  into  the  gullet,  through  which  it 
is  passed  down.  If  resistance  is  met,  gentle  and  continuous  pressure 
must  be  employed,  under  the  influence  of  which  the  agent  will  gener- 
ally in  a  short  time  pass  into  the  stomach.  One  must  be  careful  not 
to  pass  the  probang  into  the  larynx  and  thence  into  the  windpipe  of 
the  cow.  An  animal  may  readily  be  killed  in  this  way.  This  accident 
is  indicated  by  efforts  to  cough  and  by  violently  disturbed  breathing. 
If  such  symptoms  arise  the  probang  must  be  withdrawn  at  once.  To 
avoid  a  wrong  passage,  the  end  of  the  tube  should  be  pressed  through 
the  throat  very  slowly  until  its  presence  in  the  esophagus  is  assured. 
After  it  is  once  in  the  esophagus  care  is  still  necessary,  because  the 
walls  of  this  tube  may  easily  be  torn. 

Some  writers  have  advised  that  when  the  obstruction  is  lodged  in 
the  cervical  (neck)  portion  of  the  gullet  it  should  be  struck  with  a 


24  DISEASES   OF    CATTLE. 

mallet,  so  as  to  crush  it  and  thus  alter  its  shape,  so  that  it  may  easily 
slip  down  into  the  stomach.  If  the  obstructing  substance  is  hard, 
this  will  be  a  dangerous  operation,  but  if  soft — as  in  case  of  a  ripe 
pear,  for  example — this  proceeding  may  be  safely  adopted. 

In  all  cases  where  pressure  applied  on  the  neck  fails  to  move  the 
obstruction  and  the  probang  also  fails  to  move  it,  it  may  be  divided 
by  a  subcutaneous  operation  or  the  gullet  may  be  opened  and  the 
obstructing  substance  removed  through  the  wound.  In  such  cases 
the  assistance  of  a  veterinarian  or  a  surgeon  must  be  obtained. 

WOUNDS   AND  INJURIES   OF  THE   GULLET. 

Sometimes  from  the  rash  and  too  forcible  use  of  the  probang  the 
walls  of  the  gullet  may  be  more  or  less  lacerated  or  abraded,  and  the 
animal  consequently  swallows  with  pain  and  difficulty.  In  such  cases 
dry  feed  must  be  withheld  for  five  or  six  days,  so  as  to  allow  the 
injured  parts  to  heal,  and  the  diet  must  be  limited  to  linseed  tea,  hay 
tea,  and  thin  oatmeal  gruel  and  molasses.  The  same  kind  of  diet 
must  be  fed  after  the  operation  of  cutting  into  the  gullet  has  been 
performed. 

Sometimes  the  gullet  is  ruptured  and  lacerated  to  such  an  extent 
that  treatment  of  any  kind  is  hopeless.  This  has  been  known  to  occur 
when  the  handle  of  a  pitchfork  or  a  buggy  whip  has  been  pushed 
down  a  cow's  throat  to  remove  an  obstruction.  Where  such  treat- 
ment has  been  applied  it  is  best  to  slaughter  the  animal  without  delay, 
as  the  flesh  may  be  utilized  so  long  as  there  is  no  fever  or  general  dis- 
ease, and  remedial  treatment  would  be  hopeless.  In  this  connection 
it  may  be  mentioned  that  whatever  substitute  may  be  used  for  a  pro- 
bang,  which  sometimes  is  not  at  hand,  it  should  be  flexible  and  should 
possess  a  smooth  surface.  A  piece  of  new  rope,  with  the  end  closely 
wrapped  and  waxed  and  then  oiled,  or  a  piece  of  thin  garden  hose,  or 
a  well- wrapped  twisted  wire  may  be  used  in  emergencies. 

DISEASES   OF  THE   STOMACH. 
ACUTE  TYMPANITES  (HOVEN,  OR  BLOATING). 

This  disease  is  characterized  by  swelling  of  the  left  flank,  and  is 
caused  by  the  formation  of  gas  in  the  rumen,  or  paunch.  (See  Pis. 
I  and  II.) 

Causes. — Tympanites  may  be  caused  by  any  kind  of  food  which  pro- 
duces indigestion.  When  cattle  are  first  turned  into  young  clover 
they  eat  so  greedily  of  it  that  tympanites  frequently  results;  turnips, 
potatoes,  and  cabbage  may  also  cause  it;  middlings  and  corn  meal 
also  frequently  give  rise  to  it.  In  this  connection  it  may  be  stated 
that  an  excessive  quantity  of  any  of  the  before-mentioned  foods  may 


DISEASES   OF    THE   DIGESTIVE    ORGANS.  25 

bring  on  this  disorder,  or  it  may  not  be  due  to  exeess,  but  to  eating 
too  hastily.  Sometimes  the  quality  of  the  food  is  at  fault.  Grass  or 
clover  when  wet  by  dew  or  rain  frequently  disorders  digestion  and 
brings  on  tympanites;  frozen  roots  or  pastures  covered  with  hoar 
frost  should  also  be  regarded  as  dangerous.  When  food  has  been 
eaten  too  hastily,  or  when  it  is  cold  and  wet,  the  digestive  process  is 
imperfectly  performed,  and  the  food  contained  in  the  paunch  fer- 
ments, during  which  process  large  quantities  of  gas  are  formed.  The 
same  result  may  follow  when  a  cow  is  choked,  as  the  obstruction  in 
the  gullet  prevents  the  eructation  or  passing  up  of  gas  from  the  stom- 
ach, so  that  the  gas  continues  to  accumulate  until  tympanites  results. 

Symptoms. — The  swelling  of  the  left  flank  is  very  characteristic,  as 
in  well-marked  cases  the  flank  at  its  upper  part  rises  above  the  level 
of  the  backbone  and  when  struck  with  the  tips  of  the  fingers  emits  a 
drum-like  sound.  The  animal  has  an  anxious  expression,  moves 
uneasily,  and  is  evidently  distressed.  If  relief  is  not  obtained  in  time, 
it  breathes  with  difficulty,  reels  in  walking  or  in  standing,  and  in  a 
short  time  falls  down  and  dies  from  suffocation.  The  distention  of 
the  stomach  may  become  so  great  that  it  pushes  the  diaphragm  for- 
ward against  the  lungs  so  as  to  squeeze  and  stop  their  movement, 
thus  preventing  the  animal  from  breathing,  and  in  some  instances 
the  case  may  be  complicated  by  rupture  of  the  stomach. 

Treatment — If  the  case  is  not  extreme,  it  may  be  sufficient  to  drive 
the  animal  at  a  walk  for  a  quarter  or  half  an  hour;  or  cold  water  by 
the  bucketful  may  be  thrown  against  the  cow's  sides.  In  some  cases 
the  following  simple  treatment  is  successful:  A  rope  or  a  twisted 
straw  band  is  coated  with  pine  tar,  wagon  grease,  or  other  unsavory 
substance,  and  is  placed  in  the  cow's  mouth  as  a  bit,  being  secured 
by  tying  behind  the  horns.  The  efforts  of  the  animal  to  dislodge  this 
object  result  in  movements  of  the  tongue,  jaws,  and  throat  that  stim- 
ulate the  secretion  of  saliva  and  swallowing,  thus  opening  the  esoph- 
agus, which  permits  the  exit  of  gas,  and  at  the  same  time  peristalsis 
is  stimulated  reflexly.  In  urgent  cases  the  gas  must  be  allowed  to 
escape  without  delay,  and  this  is  best  accomplished  by  the  use  of  the 
trocar.  The  trocar  is  a  sharp-pointed  instrument  incased  in  a  sheath, 
which  leaves  the  sharp  point  of  the  trocar  free.  (See  PI.  Ill,  figs.  5a 
and  5b.)  In  selecting  the  point  for  using  the  trocar,  a  spot  on  the 
left  side  equally  distant  from  the  last  rib,  the  hip  bone,  and  the  trans- 
verse processes  of  the  lumbar  vertebra  must  be  chosen.  Here  an 
incision  about  three-fourths  of  an  inch  long  should  be  made  with  a 
knife  through  the  skin,  and  then,  the  sharp  point  of  the  trocar  being 
directed  downward,  inward,  and  slightly  forward,  is  thrust  into  the 
paunch.  (PI.  I.)  The  sheath  of  the  trocar  should  be  left  in  the 
paunch  so  long  as  any  gas  continues  to  issue  from  it.     If  the  canula 


26  DISEASES   OF   CATTLE. 

or  sheath  of  the  trocar  is  removed  while  gas  is  still  forming  in  the 
paunch  and  the  left  flank  becomes  considerably  swollen  it  may  be 
necessary  to  insert  it  again.  It  is  well,  accordingly,  to  observe  the 
canula  closely,  and,  if  gas  is  found  to  be  issuing  from  it,  it  should  not 
be  removed.  When  gas  issues  from  the  canula  in  considerable  quan- 
tity the  sound  accompanying  its  escape  renders  the  exact  condition 
obvious.  It  is  occasionally  necessary  to  keep  the  canula  in  the  stom- 
ach for  several  hours.  When  this  is  necessary,  a  piece  of  stout  cord 
should  be  passed  round  the  neck  of  the  canula  immediately  below  the 
projecting  rim  and  then  be  passed  round  the  animal's  body  and  tied 
in  a  secure  knot,  and  a  careful  attendant  must  remain  with  the  cow 
during  the  entire  period  that  the  instrument  is  in  place.  The  rim 
surrounding  the  mouth  of  the  canula  should  be  in  contact  with  the 
skin.  Whenever  the  person  in  charge  of  the  cow  is  satisfied  that  gas 
has  ceased  to  issue  from  the  canula  the  instrument  should  be  removed. 
The  canula  is  to  be  employed  only  in  extreme  or  urgent  cases, 
though  everyone  who  has  had  experience  in  treating  indigestion  in 
cattle  will  realize  that  he  has  saved  the  lives  of  many  animals  by  its 
prompt  application.  When  the  tympanitic  animal  is  not  distressed 
and  the  swelling  of  the  flank  is  not  great,  or  when  the  most  distress- 
ing condition  has  been  removed  by  the  use  of  the  trocar,  it  is  best  to 
resort  to  the  administration  of  internal  medicine.  Two  ounces  of 
aromatic  spirits  of  ammonia  should  be  given  every  half  hour  in  a 
quart  of  cold  water,  or  half  an  ounce  of  chlorid  of  lime  may  be  dis- 
solved in  a  pint  of  tepid  water  and  the  dose  repeated  every  half  hour 
until  the  bloating  has  subsided,  or  1  ounce  of  creolin  in  2  quarts  of 
tepid  water  may  be  given  at  one  dose  or  carefully  injected  through 
the  canula  directly  into  the  paunch  to  inhibit  fermentation  and  the 
recurrent  formation  of  gas.  It  is  generally  necessary  to  give  a  dose 
of  purgative  medicine  after  bloating  has  subsided,  as  animals  fre- 
quently show  symptoms  of  constipation  after  attacks  of  indigestion. 
For  this  purpose  1  or  1£  pounds  of  Glauber's  salts  may  be  used. 

CHRONIC   TYMPANITES. 

Cattle,  especially  those  which  have  been  kept  in  the  stable  all  win- 
ter, are  liable  to  suffer  from  chronic  tympanites.  In  this  form  the 
animal  bloats  up  after  feeding,  but  seldom  swells  so  much  as  to  cause 
any  alarm.  The  chronic  form  of  indigestion  may  also  follow  an  acute 
attack  like  that  previously  described.  This  is  also  a  symptom  of 
tuberculosis  in  those  cases  in  which  the  hymphatic  glands  lying  be- 
tween the  lungs  are  so  enlarged  as  to  press*  upon  and  partly  occlude 
the  esophagus. 

Treatment. — Treatment  should  be  preceded  by  a  moderate  dose  of 
purgative  medicine :  1  pound  of  sulphate  of  magnesia  (Epsom  salts) 


DISEASES   OF   THE   DIGESTIVE   ORGANS.  27 

or  sulphate  of  soda  (Glauber's  salts),  half  an  ounce  of  powdered 
Barbados  aloes,  1  ounce  of  powdered  ginger,  1  pint  of  molasses.  The 
salts  and  aloes  should  be  dissolved  by  stirring  for  a  few  minutes  in 
2  quarts  of  lukewarm  water,  then  the  molasses  should  be  added, 
and  after  all  the  ingredients  have  been  stirred  together  for  about 
ten  minutes  the  dose  should  be  administered.  It  will  generally  be 
necessary  after  the  operation  of  the  purgative  to  give  some  tonic 
and  antacid  preparation  to  promote  digestion,  which  is  imperfectly 
performed  in  such  cases.  The  following  may  be  used:  Powdered 
gentian,  3  ounces;  powdered  bicarbonate  of  potash,  3  ounces;  pow- 
dered ginger,  3  ounces;  powdered  capsicum,  1  ounce.  Mix  and 
divide  into  twelve  powders,  one  of  which  should  be  given  three 
times  a  day  before  feeding,  shaken  up  with  half  a  pint  of  whisky 
and  a  pint  of  water.  It  is  also  advantageous  in  such  cases  to  give 
two  heaped  teaspoonfuls  of  wood  charcoal,  mixed  with  the  animal's 
feed  three  times  a  day.  The  animal  should  also  go  out  during  the 
day,  as  want  of  exercise  favors  the  continuance  of  this  form  of 
indigestion.  If  the  dung  is  hard,  the  constipation  should  be  over- 
come by  feeding  a  little  flaxseed  twice  daily  or  by  giving  a  handful  of 
Glauber's  salts  in  the  feed  once  or  twice  daily,  as  may  be  necessary. 
Roots,  silage,  and  other  succulent  feeds  are  useful  in  this  connection. 
If  tuberculosis  is  suspected  as  the  cause  of  the  chronic  bloating,  a 
skilled  veterinarian  should  be  employed  to  make  a  diagnosis,  using 
the  tuberculin  test  if  necessary.  Until  it  is  settled  that  the  cow  has 
not  tuberculosis,  she  should  be  kept  apart  from  the  other  members  of 
the  herd. 

DISTENTION   OF   RUMEN,  OR  PAUNCH,  WITH   FOOD. 

This  form  of  indigestion  is  caused  by  the  animal  gorging  itself  with 
food,  and  arises  more  from  the  animal's  voracious  appetite  than  from 
any  defect  in  the  quality  of  the  food  supplied  to  it.  The  condition 
is,  however,  more  severe  if  the  food  consumed  is  especially  concen- 
trated or  difficult  of  digestion.  In  cases  of  this  kind  there  is  com- 
paratively no  great  formation  of  gas,  and  the  gas  which  is  formed  is 
diffused  through  the  stomach  instead  of  accumulating  in  a  layer  in 
its  upper  part.  On  pressing  the  flank  with  the  closed  fist  the  indent 
of  the  hand  remains  for  a  short  time  in  the  flank,  as  if  the  rumen 
were  filled  with  a  soft,  doughy  mass. 

This  form  of  indigestion  should  be  treated  by  stimulants,  such  as 
alcohol,  wine,  or  aromatic  spirits  of  ammonia. 

If  the  formation  of  gas  is  not  great  and  the  distention  with  solid 
material  is  somewhat  limited,  the  animal  may  be  drenched  through 
a  piece  of  ordinary  garden  hose,  one  end  inserted  in  the  mouth,  like 
the  neck  of  a  bottle,  and  the  other  end  fitted  with  a  funnel,  giving 
1£  pounds  of  sulphate  of  magnesia,  or  sulphate  of  soda,  dissolved  in 


28  DISEASES   OF   CATTLE. 

2  gallons  of  water,  at  a  single  dose.  Immediately  after  this  treat- 
ment, the  left  side  of  the  animal,  extending  below  the  median  line  of 
the  abdomen,  should  be  powerfully  kneaded  with  the  fist,  so  that  the 
impacted  food  mass  will  be  broken,  allowing  the  water  to  separate  it 
into  small  portions,  which  can  be  carried  downward  for  the  process 
of  digestion.  But  if  the  treatment  applied  fails  and  the  impacted  or 
overloaded  condition  of  the  rumen  continues,  it  may  become  neces- 
sary to  make  an  incision  with  a  sharp,  long-bladed  knife  in  the  left 
flank,  commencing  at  the  point  where  it  is  usual  to  puncture  the 
stomach  of  an  ox,  and  prolong  the  incision  in  a  downward  direction 
until  it  is  long  enough  to  admit  the  hand.  When  the  point  of  the 
knife  is  thrust  into  the  flank  and  the  blade  cuts  downward,  the  wall 
of  the  stomach,  the  muscle,  and  the  skin  should  all  be  cut  through 
at  the  same  time.  Two  assistants  should  hold  the  edges  of  the  wound 
together  so  as  to  prevent  any  food  slipping  between  the  flank  and 
the  wall  of  the  stomach,  and  then  the  operator  should  remove  two- 
thirds  of  the  contents  of  the  rumen.  This  having  been  done,  the 
edges  of  the  wound  should  be  sponged  with  a  little  carbolized  warm 
water,  and,  the  lips  of  the  wound  in  the  rumen  being  turned  inward, 
they  should  be  brought  together  with  catgut  stitches.  The  wound 
penetrating  the  muscle  and  the  skin  may  then  be  brought  together 
by  silk  stitches,  which  should  pass  through  the  entire  thickness  of 
the  muscle  and  should  be  about  1  inch  apart.  The  wound  should 
afterwards  be  dressed  once  a  day  with  a  lotion  and  the  animal  cov- 
ered with  a  tight  linen  sheet,  to  protect  the  wound  from  insects  and 
dirt.  The  lotion  to  be  used  in  such  a  case  is  made  up  as  follows : 
Sulphate  of  zinc,  1  dram;  carbolic  acid,  2  drams;  glycerin,  2  ounces; 
water,  14  ounces;  mix.  It  is  clear  that  this  operation  requires  special 
skill  and  it  should  be  attempted  only  by  those  who  are  competent. 

IMAGINARY  DISEASES. 
hollow  horn;  loss  of  cud;  wolf  in  the  tail. 

It  would  appear  quite  in  place  here,  in  connection  with  the  diseases 
of  the  stomach  and  bowels  of  cattle,  to  consider  the  three  old  fallacies 
or  superstitions  known  by  the  above  names,  since  these  names,  when 
and  wherever  used,  seem  to  be  invariably  applied  to  some  form  of 
digestive  derangement  or  disease  having  its  origin  in  the  stomach 
and  bowels. 

Hollow  horn. — In  the  first  place  it  should  be  noted  that  the  horns 
of  all  animals  of  the  ox  tribe  are  hollow.  The  horn  cores  are  elonga- 
tions of  the  frontal  bones  of  the  skull,  and  the  frontal  sinuses,  which 
are  the  larger  of  the  air  spaces  of  the  head,  are  prolonged  into  the 
horn  cores.     When  a  cow  is  sick,  if  the  horns  are  hot  it  is  an  evi- 


DISEASES   OF   THE   DIGESTIVE   ORGANS.  29 

dence  of  fever;  if  they  are  cold  it  indicates  impaired  circulation  of 
the  blood,  but  these  manifestations  of  sickness  are  to  be  regarded  as 
symptoms  of  some  constitutional  disorder  and  do  not  in  themselves 
require  treatment.  The  treatment  should  be  applied  to  the  disease 
which  causes  the  abnormal  temperature  of  the  horns.  The  usual 
treatment  for  the  supposed  hollow  horn,  which  consists  of  boring  the 
horns  with  a  gimlet  and  pouring  turpentine  in  the  openings  thus 
made,  is  not  only  useless  and  cruel,  but  is  liable  to  set  up  an  acute 
inflammation  and  result  in  an  abscess  of  the  sinus. 

Loss  of  cud. — The  so-called  loss  of  cud  is  simply  a  cessation  of 
rumination,  frequently  one  of  the  first  indications  of  sickness  in  any 
kind  of  a  ruminant  animal,  since  ruminants  generally  stop  chewing 
the  cud  when  feeling  much  out  of  condition.  A  restoration  of  the 
cud  may  be  confidently  looked  for  with  an  approaching  return  of  the 
animal  to  a  state  of  normal  health.  This  may  be  facilitated  by  the 
intelligent  application  of  the  remedies  indicated  in  the  treatment  of 
the  disordered  condition  responsible  for  the  cessation  of  rumination. 
No  local  treatment  is  required. 

Wolf  in  the  tail. — The  so-called  wolf  in  the  tail  is  most  gener- 
ally treated  by  those  who  are  possessed  of  this  fallacious  belief  by 
splitting  the  end  of  the  tail  with  a  knife,  filling  the  cut  with  salt,  and 
binding  with  a  cloth.  This  imagined  trouble  is  nothing  more  than  a 
debilitated  condition  of  the  system,  resulting  in  a  relaxed  or  softened 
condition  of  the  tail,  especially  at  its  extremity.  It  is  evident  that 
it  is  the  constitutional  disorder  which  requires  treatment  and  not  the 
relaxed  tail. 

When  the  immense  volume  and  complicated  arrangement  of  the 
gastric  pouches  of  the  cow  is  considered,  together  with  the  great 
quantities  of  aliment  required  in  the  elaboration  of  milk  and  for  the 
animal's  nutrition,  it  is  small  wonder,  in  view  of  the  carelessness  so 
often  apparent  as  to  both  the  kinds  and  quality  of  food,  that  disease 
of  the  digestive  organs  in  these  animals  is  of  more  frequent  occur- 
rence than  other  diseases.  And  it  is  believed  that  a  recognition  of 
the  facts  contained  in  the  foregoing  statements  will  not  only  tend  to 
dissipate  any  remaining  belief  in  these  old  fallacies,  but  to  a  more 
humane  and  rational  treatment  of  the  various  forms  of  indigestion  or 
dyspepsia,  of  which  those  manifestations  giving  rise  to  impressions 
of  hollow  horn,  loss  of  cud,  and  wolf  in  the  tail  are  but  symptoms. 

VOMITING. 

This  is  not  to  be  confounded  with  rumination,  though  some  writers 
have  advanced  the  opinion  that  vomiting  is  merely  a  disordered 
and  irregular  rumination.  It  is  not  of  common  occurrence  in  cattle, 
though  it  sometimes  occurs. 


30  DISEASES   OF    CATTLE. 

Symptoms. — Animals  which  vomit  are  frequently  in  poor  condition. 
After  having  eaten  tranquilly  for  some  time  the  animal  suddenly 
becomes  uneasy,  arches  the  back,  stretches  the  neck  and  head,  and 
then  suddenly  ejects  10  or  12  pounds  of  the  contents  of  the  rumen. 
After  having  done  this  the  uneasiness  subsides,  and  in  a  short  time 
the  animal  resumes  eating  as  if  nothing  had  happened. 

Cause. — The  cause  of  this  disordered  state  of  the  digestive  system 
in  cattle  is  usually  obscure,  but  has  in  some  cases  been  traced  to  a 
partial  closure  of  the  opening  into  the  second  stomach  or  to  a  disten- 
tion of  the  esophagus.  It  has  been  found  to  occur  when  there  was 
cancerous  disease  of  the  fourth  stomach,  and  experimentally  it  has 
been  shown  that  a  suspension  of  digestion  or  great  derangement  of 
the  fourth  stomach  produces  considerable  nervous  disorder  of  the 
rumen  and  sometimes  vomiting  or  attempt  to  vomit. 

Treatment. — Easily  digested  food  and  plenty  of  water  should  be 
given.  Fear  and  excitement,  chasing,  or  hurrying  animals  after  eat- 
ing heartily  are  apt  to  bring  on  this  result.  In  order  to  overcome 
irritation  which  may  produce  vomiting,  the  following  draft  should  be 
given:  Hydrate  of  chloral,  half  an  ounce;  whisky,  8  ounces;  water, 
1  pint.  The  dose  must  be  repeated  when  the  condition  of  the  animal 
seems  to  require  it.     As  a  rule,  treatment  is  not  successful. 

DEPRAVED   APPETITE    (PICA). 

Cattle  suffering  from  this  disease  have  a  capricious  and  variable 
appetite  as  regards  their  ordinary  food,  but  evince  a  strong  desire  to 
lick  and  eat  substances  for  which  healthy  cattle  show  no  inclination. 
Alkaline  and  saline-tasting  substances  are  especially  attractive  to 
cattle  having  a  depraved  appetite,  and  they  frequently  lick  lime,  earth, 
coal,  gravel,  and  even  the  dung  of  other  cattle.  Cows  in  calf  and 
young  cattle  are  especially  liable  to  develop  these  symptoms.  Ani- 
mals affected  in  this  way  lose  condition,  their  coat  is  staring,  gait 
slow,  and  small  vesicles  containing  yellow  liquid  form  under  the 
tongue;  the  inilk  given  by  such  cows  is  thin  and  watery.  Such  ani- 
mals become  restless  and  uneasy,  as  is  indicated  by  frequent  bellow- 
ing. The  disease  may  last  for  months,  the  animal  ultimately  dying 
emaciated  and  exhausted.  Depraved  appetite  frequently  precedes  the 
condition  in  which  the  bones  of  cattle  become  brittle  and  fracture 
easily,  which  is  known  as  osteomalacia. 

Causes. — It  is  generally  believed,  from  the  fact  that  this  disease  is 
largely  one  of  regions,  that  some  condition  of  the  soil  and  water  and 
of  the  local  vegetation  is  responsible  for  it.  It  is  more  prevalent  some 
years  than  others  and  is  most  common  in  old  countries,  where  the  soil 
is  more  or  less  depleted.  Cattle  pastured  on  low,  swamp}'  land  become 
predisposed  to  it.     It  occasionally  happens,  however,  that  one  indi- 


DISEASES   OF    THE   DIGESTIVE    ORGANS.  31 

vidual  in  a  herd  suffers  though  all  are  fed  alike;  in  such  cases  the 
disease  must  arise  from  an  imperfect  assimilation  by  the  affected  ani- 
mal of  the  nutritive  elements  of  the  food  which  is  supplied  to  it. 

Treatment. — The  aim  in  such  cases  must  be  to  improve  the  process 
of  digestion  and  to  supply  the  animal  with  a  sufficiency  of  sound  and 
wholesome  food.  The  following  should  be  given  to  the  cow  three 
times  a  day,  a  heaping  tablespoonful  constituting  a  dose:  Carbonate 
of  iron,  4  ounces;  finely  ground  bone  or  "bone  flour,"  1  pound;  pow- 
dered gentian,  4 ounces;  common  salt,  8  ounces;  powdered  fenugreek, 
4  ounces;  mix.  In  addition  to  this,  3  tablespoonfuls  of  powdered 
charcoal  may  be  mixed  with  the  animal's  food  three  times  a  day,  and 
a  piece  of  rock  salt  should  be  placed  where  the  animal  can  lick  it  at 
will.  German  veterinarians  have  had  brilliant  results  from  the  treat- 
ment of  this  disease  with  subcutaneous  injections  of  apomorphine  in 
doses  of  1^  to  5  grains  for  three  or  four  days. 

HAIR  CONCRETIONS. 

These  concretions,  or  hair  balls,  result  from  the  habit  which  some 
cattle  have  of  licking  themselves  or  other  animals.  As  a  result  the 
hairs  which  are  swallowed  are  carried  round  by  the  contractions 
of  the  stomach  and  gradually  assume  the  form  of  a  small  pellet,  or 
ball.  This  increases  in  size  as  fresh  quantities  of  hair  are  introduced 
into  the  stomach,  which  become  adherent  to  the  surface  of  the  hair 
ball.  These  hair  balls  are  found  most  frequently  in  the  reticulum,  or 
second  stomach  (PI.  II),  though  sometimes  in  the  rumen.  In  calves 
hair  balls  are  generally  found  in  the  fourth  stomach.  There  are  no 
certain  symptoms  by  which  we  can  determine  the  presence  of  hair 
balls  in  the  stomach,  and  therefore  no  treatment  can  be  recommended 
for  such  cases.  In  making  post-mortem  examinations  of  cattle,  we 
have  sometimes  found  the  walls  of  the  reticulum  transfixed  with  nails 
or  pieces  of  wire,  and  yet  the  animal  during  life  had  not  shown  any 
symptoms  of  indigestion,  but  had  died  from  maladies  not  involving 
the  second  stomach. 

INDIGESTION    (DYSPEPSIA,  OR   GASTRO-INTESTINAL  CATARRH). 

Tympanites,  already  described,  is  a  form  of  indigestion  in  which  the 
chief  symptom  and  most  threatening  condition  is  the  collection  of  gas 
in  the  paunch.  This  symptom  does  not  always  accompany  indiges- 
tion, so  it  is  well  here  to  consider  other  forms  under  a  separate  head. 
If  indigestion  is  long  continued  the  irritant  abnormal  products  devel- 
oped cause  catarrh  of  the  stomach  and  intestines — gastro-intestinal 
catarrh.  Or,  on  the  other  hand,  irritant  substances  ingested  may 
cause  gastro-intestinal  catarrh,  which,  in  turn,  will  cause  indigestion. 
Hence  it  results  that  these  several  conditions  are  usually  found 
existing  together. 


32  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

Causes. — Irritant  food,  damaged  food,  overloading  of  the  stomach, 
and  sudden  changes  of  diet  may  cause  this  disease.  Want  of  exer- 
cise predisposes  to  it,  or  food  which  is  coarse  and  indigestible  may 
after  a  time  produce  this  condition.  Food  which  possesses  astringent 
properties  and  tends  to  check  secretion  may  also  act  as  an  exciting 
cause.  Food  in  excessive  quantity  may  lead  to  disorder  of  digestion 
and  to  this  disease.  It  is  very  likely  to  appear  toward  the  end  of 
protracted  seasons  of  drought,  therefore  a  deficiency  of  water  must  be 
regarded  as  one  of  the  conditions  which  favor  its  development. 

Symptoms. — Diminished  appetite,  rumination  irregular,  tongue 
coated,  mouth  slimy,  dung  passed  apparently  not  well  digested  and 
smelling  badly,  dullness,  and  fullness  of  the  flanks.  The  disease 
may  in  some  cases  assume  a  chronic  character,  and  in  addition  to  the 
foregoing  symptoms  slight  bloating,  or  tympanites,  of  the  left  flank 
may  be  observed;  the  animal  breathes  with  effort  and  each  respira- 
tion may  be  accompanied  by  a  grunt,  the  ears  and  horns  are  alter- 
nately hot  and  cold,  rumination  ceases,  the  usual  rumbling  sound  in 
the  stomach  is  not  audible,  the  passage  of  dung  is  almost  entirely 
suspended,  and  the  animal  passes  only  a  little  mucus  occasionally. 
Sometimes  there  is  alternating  constipation  and  diarrhea.  There  is 
low  fever  in  many  cases. 

The  disease  continues  a  few  days  or  a  week  in  the  mild  cases,  while 
the  severe  cases  may  last  several  weeks.  In  the  latter  form  the  ema- 
ciation and  loss  of  strength  may  be  very  great.  There  is  no  appe- 
tite, no  rumination,  or  peristalsis.  The  mouth  is  hot  and  sticky,  the 
eyes  have  receded  in  their  sockets,  and  milk  secretion  has  ceased.  In 
such  cases  the  outlook  for  recovery  is  unfavorable.  The  patient  falls 
away  in  flesh  and  becomes  weaker,  as  is  shown  by  the  fact  that  one 
frequently  finds  it  lying  down. 

On  examining  animals  which  have  died  of  this  disease  it  is  found 
that  the  lining  membrane  of  the  fourth  stomach  and  the  intestines, 
particularly  the  small  intestine,  is  red,  swollen,  streaked  with  deeper 
red  or  bluish  lines,  or  spotted.  The  lining  of  the  first  three  stomachs 
is  more  or  less  softened,  and  may  easily  be  peeled  off.  The  third 
stomach  (psalter)  contains  dry,  hard  food  masses  closely  adherent  to 
its  walls. 

In  some  cases  the  brain  appears  to  become  disordered,  probably 
from  the  pain  and  weakness  and  from  the  absorption  of  toxins  gener 
ated  in  the  digestive  canal.  In  such  cases  there  is  weakness  and  an 
unsteady  gait,  the  animal  does  not  appear  to  take  notice  of  and  will 
consequently  run  against  obstacles;  after  a  time  it  falls  down  and 
gives  up  to  violent  and  disordered  movements.  This  delirious  condi- 
tion is  succeeded  by  coma  or  stupor,  and  death  ensues. 


Diseases  of  Cattle. 


PLATE  1. 


Diseases  of  Cattle. 


PLATE  II. 


j&&Urt4Zd-',  ,€&& 


Stomach  of  Ruminant. 


Diseases  of  Cattle. 


PLATE  III. 


-■  .:;YMiji:i|iiii;iiii|i'ii|iiirf:ii!ii^iiDii3n~rzrziniifc3  zsnsxniziir 

-M>„li.l.l,     ^      -  -        -'-     -J     ■  *- -.lW,.iflfe^ 


l, 


INSTRUMENTS  USED  IN  TREATING  DISEASES  OF  DIGESTIVE  ORGANS. 


DISEASES   OF    THE   DIGESTIVE    ORGANS.  33 

Treatment. — Small  quantities  of  roots,  sweet  silage,  or  selected  grass 
or  hay  should  be  offered  several  times  daily.  Very  little  food  should 
be  allowed.  Aromatic  and  demulcent  drafts  may  be  given  to  produce 
a  soothing  effect  on  the  mucous  lining  of  the  stomachs  and  to  promote 
digestion.  Two  ounces  of  chamomile  flowers  should  be  boiled  for 
twenty  minutes  in  a  quart  of  water  and  the  infusion  on  cooling  should 
be  given  to  the  affected  animal.  This  may  be  repeated  about  three 
times  a  day.  When  constipation  is  present  the  following  purgative 
may  be  administered:  One  pound  of  Glauber's  salts  dissolved  in  a 
quart  of  linseed  tea  and  a  pint  of  molasses.  After  this  purgative  has 
acted,  if  there  is  a  lack  of  appetite  and  the  animal  does  not  ruminate 
regularly,  the  powder  mentioned  in  remarks  on  the  treatment  of 
chronic  tympanites  may  be  given  according  to  directions.  The  diet 
must  be  rather  laxative  and  of  a  digestible  character  after  an  attack 
of  this  form  of  indigestion.  Food  should  be  given  in  moderate  quan- 
tities, as  any  excess  by  overtaxing  the  digestive  functions  may  bring 
on  a  relapse.     Ice-cold  water  should  be  avoided. 

INDIGESTION   FROM   DRINKING   COLD  WATER    (COLIC). 

This  disorder  is  produced  by  drinking  copiously  of  cold  water, 
which  arrests  digestion  and  produces  cramp  of  the  fourth  stomach, 
probably  of  the  other  stomachs,  and  also  of  the  bowels. 

Causes. — It  is  not  customary  for  the  ox  to  drink  much  water  at  once. 
In  fact,  he  usually  drinks  slowly  and  as  if  he  were  merely  tasting  the 
water,  letting  some  fall  out  at  the  corners  of  his  mouth  at  every  mouth- 
ful. It  would,  therefore,  seem  to  be  contrary  to  the  habits  of  the  ox 
to  drink  largely;  but  we  find  that  during  hot  weather,  when  he  has 
been  working,  and  is  consequently  very  thirsty,  if  he  drinks  a  large 
quantity  of  cold  water  he  may  be  immediately  taken  with  a  very  severe 
colic.  Cows  which  are  fed  largely  on  dry  hay  drink  copiously,  like 
the  working  ox,  and  become  affected  in  precisely  the  same  manner. 
In  such  cases  they  are  seized  with  a  chill  or  fit  of  trembling  before  the 
cramps  come  on. 

Symptoms. — There  is  some  distention  of  the  abdomen,  but  no  accu- 
mulation of  gas.  As  the  distention  and  pain  occur  immediately  after 
the  animal  has  drunk  the  water,  there  can  be  no  doubt  as  to  the 
exciting  cause. 

Treatment. — Walk  the  animal  about  for  ten  minutes  before  admin- 
istering medicine,  as  this  allows  time  for  a  portion  of  the  contents  of 
the  stomach  to  pass  into  the  bowel,  and  renders  it  safer  to  give  medi- 
cine. In  many  cases  the  walking  exercise  and  the  diarrhea  bring 
about  a  spontaneous  cure  of  this  disorder,  but  as  in  some  instances 
the  cramps  and  pains  of  the  stomachs  persist,  one  may  give  1  ounce 

61386—08 3 


34  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

of  sulphuric  ether  and  1  ounce  of  tincture  of  opium,  shaken  up  with 
a  pint  of  warm  water,  and  repeat  the  dose  in  half  an  hour  if  the  ani- 
mal is  not  relieved.  In  an  emergency  when  medicine  is  not  to  be  had, 
half  a  pint  of  whisky  may  be  substituted  for  medicine,  and  should  be 
given  mixed  with  a  pint  of  warm  water;  or  a  tablespoonful  of  pow- 
dered ginger  may  be  administered  in  the  same  way  as  the  remedies 
already  mentioned. 

INDIGESTION   IN   CALVES  (OASTBO-INTESTINAL  CATARRH,  DIARRHEA,  OR  SCOUR). 

Sucking  calves  are  subject  to  a  form  of  diarrhea  to  which  the  above 
designations  have  been  applied. 

Causes. — Calves  which  suck  their  dams  are  not  frequently  affected 
with  this  disease,  though  it  may  be  occasioned  by  their  sucking  at 
long  intervals,  and  thus  overloading  the  stomach  and  bringing  on  indi- 
gestion, or  from  improper  feeding  of  the  dam  on  soft,  watery,  or 
damaged  foods.  Suckling  the  calf  at  irregular  times  may  also  cause  it. 
Exposure  to  damp  and  cold  is  a  potent  predisposing  cause.  Calves 
which  are  separated  from  their  dams  and  which  receive  considerable 
quantities  of  cold  milk  at  long  intervals  are  liable  to  contract  this 
form  of  indigestion.  Calves  fed  on  artificial  food,  used  as  a  substi- 
tute for  milk,  frequently  contract  it.  Damaged  food,  sour  or  rotten 
milk,  milk  in  dirty  cans,  skim  milk  from  a  dirty  creamery  skim-milk 
vat,  skim  milk  hauled  warm,  exposed  to  the  sun,  and  fed  from 
unclean  buckets,  may  all  cause  this  disease. 

Symptoms. — The  calf  is  depressed  ;  appetite  is  poor ;  sometimes 
there  is  fever;  the  extremities  are  cold.  The  dung  becomes  gradually 
softer  and  lighter  in  color  until  it  is  cream  colored  and  little  thicker 
than  milk.  It  has  a  most  offensive  odor  and  may  contain  clumps  of 
curd.  Later  it  contains  mucus  and  gas  bubbles.  It  sticks  to  the 
hair  of  the  tail  and  buttocks,  causing  the  hair  to  drop  off  and  the  skin 
to  become  irritated.  There  may  be  pain  on  passing  dung  and  also 
abdominal  or  colicky  pain.  The  calf  stands  about  with  the  back 
arched  and  belly  contracted.  There  may  be  tympanites.  Great  weak- 
ness ensues  in  severe  cases,  and  without  prompt  and  successful  treat- 
ment death  soon  follows. 

Treatment. — Remove  the  cause.  Give  appropriate  food  of  best 
quality  in  small  quantities.  Make  sure  that  the  cow  furnishing  the 
milk  is  healthy  and  is  properly  fed.  Clean  all  milk  vessels.  Clean 
and  disinfect  the  stalls.  For  the  diarrhea  give  two  raw  eggs,  or  a  cup 
of  strong  coffee,  or  2  ounces  of  blackberry  brandy.  If  the  case  is 
severe,  give  1  ounce  of  castor  oil  with  a  teaspoonf  ul  of  creolin  and 
20  grains  of  subnitrate  of  bismuth.  Repeat  the  bismuth  and  creolin 
with  blackberry  brandy  and  flaxseed  tea  every  four  hours.  Tannopin 
may  be  used  in  dose  of  15  to  30  grains. 


DISEASES    OF  .THE    DIGESTIVE    ORGANS.  35 

Calves  artificially  fed  on  whole  or  skim  milk  should  receive  only- 
such  milk  as  is  sweet  and  has  been  handled  in  a  sanitary  manner. 
Milk  should  always  be  warmed  to  the  body  temperature  before  feed- 
ing. When  calves  artificially  milk  fed  develop  diarrhea,  the  use  of 
the  following  treatment  has  given  excellent  results  in  many  cases. 
Immediately  after  milking,  or  the  separation  of  the  skim  milk  from 
the  cream,  formalin  should  be  added  to  the  milk  which  is  used  for 
feeding  in  the  proportion  of  1  to  4,000,  which  may  be  closely  approxi- 
mated by  adding  4  drops  of  the  formalin  to  each  quart  of  milk.  This 
medicated  milk  should  be  fed  to  the  calf  in  the  usual  quantity. 
When  the  diarrhea  is  not  controlled  by  this  treatment  in  three  or 
four  days,  the  additional  use  of  some  of  the  agents  recommended 
above  may  assist  in  a  recovery. 

INFECTIOUS   DIARRHEA;   WHITE  SCOUR. 

[See  chapter  on  Diseases  of  Young  Calves,  p.  244.] 

GASTRO-ENTERITIS. 

This  consists  of  an  inflammation  of  the  walls  of  the  stomachs  and 
of  the  bowel. 

Gastro-enteritis,  or  inflammation  of  the  walls  of  the  stomachs  and 
intestines,  follows  upon  irritations  more  severe  or  longer  continued 
than  those  that  producd  gastro-intestinal  catarrh. 

Causes. — Severe  indigestion  maybe  followed  by  gastro-enteritis,  or 
it  may  be  caused  by  swallowing  irritant  poisons,  such  as  arsenic  or 
corrosive  sublimate  or  irritant  plants.  Exposure  to  cold  or  inclement 
weather  may  produce  this  disease,  especially  in  debilitated  animals 
or  animals  fed  improperly.  It  is  claimed  that  if  cattle  feed  on  vege- 
tation infested  with  some  kinds  of  caterpillars  this  disease  may  result. 

Symptoms. — Dullness;  drooping  of  the  ears;  dryness  of  the  muzzle; 
dry  skin;  staring  coat;  loins  morbidly  sensitive  to  pressure;  fullness 
of  the  left  flank,  which  is  owing  to  the  distention  of  the  fourth  stomach 
by  gas.  The  pulse  is  small,  the  gait  is  feeble  and  staggering;  each 
step  the  animal  makes  is  accompanied  by  a  grunt,  and  this  symptom 
is  especially  marked  if  the  animal  happens  to  walk  in  a  downward 
direction.  There  is  loss  of  appetite,  and  rumination  is  suspended. 
The  passages  at  first  are  few  in  number,  hard,  and  are  sometimes 
coated  with  mucus  or  with  blood.  Later  a  severe  diarrhea  sets  in, 
when  the  passages  contain  mucus  and  blood  and  have  an  offensive 
odor.  There  is  evidence  of  colicky  pain,  and  the  abdomen  is  sensitive 
to  pressure.  Pain  may  be  continuous.  There  is  fever  and  accelera- 
tion of  pulse  rate  and  respirations.  Mental  depression  and  even 
insensibility  occur  before  death.  The  disease  is  always  severe  and 
often  fatal. 

Post-mortem  appearances. — The  mucous  membrane  of  the  fourth 


36  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

stomach  has  a  well-marked  red  color  and  sometimes  presents  ulcera- 
tions. The  wall  is  thickened  and  softened,  and  similar  conditions 
are  found  in  the  walls  of  the  intestines.  The  red  discoloration  extends 
in  spots  or  large  areas  quite  through  the  wall,  showing  on  the  outside. 
Treatment. — Very  small  quantities  of  carefully  selected  food  must 
be  given  and  the  appetite  must  not  be  forced.  Protect  the  animal 
well  from  cold  and  dampness.  Internally,  give  linseed  tea,  boiled  milk, 
boiled  oatmeal  gruel,  or  rice  water.  These  protectives  may  carry  the 
medicine.  Tannopin  in  doses  of  30  to  60  grains  is  good.  Subnitrate 
of  bismuth  in  doses  of  1  to  2  drams  may  be  given.  Pulverized  opium 
may  be  used,  if  the  diarrhea  is  severe,  in  1  to  2  dram  doses.  If  the 
bowel  movements  are  not  free,  one  may  give  from  a  pint  to  a  quart  of 
castor  or  raw  linseed  oil. 

TRAUMATIC   INFLAMMATION   OP  THE  STOMACH. 

This  disease  results  from  the  presence  of  a  foreign  body.  This 
condition  is  not  rare  in  cattle,  because  these  animals  have  the  habit  of 
swallowing  their  food  without  careful  chewing,  and  so  nails,  screws, 
hairpins,  ends  of  wire,  and  other  metal  objects  may  be  swallowed 
unconsciously.  Such  objects  gravitate  to  the  second  stomach,  where 
they  may  become  caught  in  the  folds  of  the  lining  mucous  membrane, 
and  in  some  instances  the  wall  of  this  organ  is  perforated.  From  this 
accident,  chronic  indigestion  results.  The  symptoms,  more  or  less 
characteristic,  are  pain  when  getting  up  or  lying  down;  grunting  and 
pain  upon  sudden  motion,  especially  down  hill;  coughing;  pain  on 
pressure  over  the  second  stomach,  which  lies  immediately  above  the 
cartilaginous  prolongation  of  the  sternum.  If  the  presence  of  such  a 
foreign  body  is  recognized,  it  may  be  removed  by  a  difficult  surgical 
operation;  or,  as  is  usually  most  economical,  the  animal  may  be  killed 
for  beef,  if  there  is  no  fever. 

DISEASES   OF  THE   BOWELS. 

DIARRHEA   AND   DYSENTERY. 

[See  also  Gastrointestinal  catarrh,  p.  34.] 

The  word  "dysentery,"  as  it  is  commonly  used  in  relation  to  the  dis- 
eases of  animals,  signifies  a  severe  form  of  diarrhea. 

Causes. — Diarrhea  is  a  symptom  of  irritation  of  the  intestines, 
resulting  in  increased  secretion  or  increased  muscular  contractions, 
or  both.  The  irritation  is  sometimes  the  result  of  chilling  from 
exposure,  improper  feeding,  irritant  foods,  indigestion,  organic  dis- 
eases of  the  intestines,  or  parasites. 

Symptoms. — Passages  from  the  bowels  are  frequent,  at  first  con- 
sisting of  thin  dung,  but  as  the  disease  continues  they  become  watery 
and  offensive-smelling,  and  may  be  even  streaked  with  blood.     At 
first  the  animal  shows   no  constitutional  disturbance,  but  later  it 
becomes  weak  and  may  exhibit  evidence  of  abdominal  pain  by  look- 


DISEASES    OF   THE    DIGESTIVE    OEGANS.  37 

ing  around  to  the  side,  drawing  the  feet  together,  lying  down,  or 
moving  restlessly.  Sometimes  this  malady  is  accompanied  by  fever, 
great  depression,  loss  of  strength,  rapid  loss  of  flesh,  and  it  may 
terminate  in  death. 

Treatment. — When  the  disease  depends  on  irritating  properties  of 
the  food  which  has  been  supplied  to  the  animal,  it  is  advisable  to  give 
a  mild  purgative,  such  as  a  pint  of  castor  or  linseed  oil.  When  the 
secretions  of  the  bowels  are  irritating,  an  ounce  of  carbonate  of  mag- 
nesia and  half  an  ounce  of  tincture  of  opium  should  be  shaken  up  in 
a  quart  of  linseed  tea  and  given  to  the  animal  three  times  a  day  until 
the  passages  present  a  natural  appearance.  When  there  is  debility, 
want  of  appetite,  no  fever,  but  a  continuance  of  the  watery  discharges 
from  the  bowels,  then  an  astringent  may  be  given.  For  such  cases 
the  following  is  serviceable:  Tannic  acid,  1  ounce;  powdered  gentian, 
2  ounces;  mix  and  divide  into  twelve  powders,  one  powder  to  be 
given  three  times  a  day  until  the  passages  present  a  natural  appear- 
ance. Each  powder  may  be  mixed  with  a  half  pint  of  whisky  or 
blackberry  brandy  and  a  pint  of  water.  Tannopin  is  a  new  remedy 
that  is  most  useful  in  such  cases.  The  dose  is  from  30  grains  to 
2  drams.  Useful  household  remedies  are  raw  eggs,  strong  coffee, 
parched  rye  flour,  or  decoction  of  oak  bark.  In  all  cases  the  food 
must  be  given  sparingly,  and  it  should  be  carefully  selected  to  insure 
good  quality.  Complete  rest  in  a  box  stall  is  desirable.  When 
diarrhea  is  a  symptom  of  a  malady  characterized  by  the  presence  of 
a  blood  poison,  the  treatment  appropriate  to  such  disease  must  be 
applied. 

SIMPLE   ENTERITIS. 

[See  Gastroenteritis,  p.  35.] 

CROUPOUS   ENTERITIS. 

Under  certain  conditions,  severe  irritation  of  the  digestive  canal 
may,  in  cattle,  cause  a  form  of  inflammation  of  the  intestines  (enter- 
itis) that  is  characterized  by  the  formation  of  a  false  membrane  upon 
the  surface  of  the  lining  membrane  of  the  intestines,  and  particularly 
the  large  intestines. 

Symptoms. — There  is  fever,  depression,  loss  of  appetite,  diarrhea, 
and  in  the  fecal  masses  shreds  of  leathery  false  membrane  may  be 
found.  These  shreds  are  sometimes  mistaken  for  parasites  or  for 
portions  of  the  wall  of  the  intestine. 

Treatment. — Give  a  pound  of  Glauber's  salts,  followed  by  bicar- 
bonate of  soda  in  doses  of  2  ounces  four  times  daily. 

ENTERITIS     (OBSTRUCTION   RESULTING     FROM    INVAGINATION,   OR    INTUSSUSCEPTION, 
TWISTING,  AND  KNOTTING   OF  THE  BOWELS). 

Inflammation  may  arise  from  a  knot  forming  on  some  part  of  the 
small  intestine,  from  the  portion  of  the  bowel  becoming  twisted  on 
itself,  or  from  one  part  of  the  bowel  slipping  into  another,  which  is 


38  DISEASES    OF   CATTLE. 

termed  invagination.  This  form  of  enteritis  occurs  occasionally  in. 
animals  of  the  bovine  species. 

Causes. — The  small  intestine,  which  in  the  ox  rests  on  the  right 
side  of  the  rumen,  is,  from  the  position  which  it  occupies,  predisposed 
to  this  accident.  It  has  been  ascertained  that  animals  which  have 
shown  symptoms  of  this  malady  have  trotted,  galloped,  or  made 
other  violent  exertions  in  coming  from  drinking,  or  that  they  have 
been  chased  by  dogs  or  by  animals  of  their  own  species  while  at  pas- 
ture. The  accident  is  most  likely  to  occur  among  cattle  on  very  hilly 
pastures.  The  danger  of  jumping  or  running  is  greatest  when  the 
rumen  is  distended  with  food. 

Symptoms. — This  form  of  enteritis  or  obstruction  is  manifested  by 
severe  colicky  pains ;  the  ox  scrapes  and  strikes  the  ground  with  his 
front  and  hind  feet  alternately;  keeps  lying  down  and  getting  up 
again;  he  keeps  his  tail  constantly  raised  and  turns  his  nose  fre- 
quently to  his  right  flank;  he  is  frequently  bloated,  or  tympanitic,  on 
that  side.  He  refuses  food  and  does  not  ruminate,  and  for  some 
hours  suffers  severe  pains.  At  first  he  frequently  passes  thin  dung, 
and  also  urinates  frequently,  but  passes  only  a  little  urine  at  a  time. 
On  the  second  day  the  pains  have  become  less  acute;  the  animal 
remains  lying  down;  moans  occasionally;  his  pulse  is  small  and 
quick;  he  refuses  food  and  does  not  ruminate.  At  this  stage  he  does 
not  pass  any  dung,  though  sometimes  a  small  quantity  of  bloody 
mucus  may  be  passed.  The  animal  passes  very  little  urine.  This 
condition  may  continue  for  a  considerable  time,  as  cattle  so  affected 
may  live  for  fifteen  or  even  twenty  days. 

Post-mortem  appearance. — At  death  the  bowels  are  found  to  be  mis- 
placed or  obstructed,  as  mentioned  above,  and  inflamed,  the  inflam- 
mation always  originating  at  the  point  where  the  intestine  has  been 
invaginated,  twisted,  or  knotted.  Sometimes  the  part  is  gangrenous, 
the  compression  of  the  blood  vessels  preventing  circulation,  and  thus 
causing  the  death  of  the  tissues. 

Treatment. — Purgatives,  anodynes,  and  other  remedies  are  of  no 
service  in  such  cases,  and  bleeding  also  fails  to  produce  any  benefit. 
Indeed,  it  is  usually  true  that  in  such  cases  treatment  is  useless. 
Some  cases  are  recorded  in  which  an  incision  has  been  made  in  the 
flank,  so  as  to  enable  the  operator  to  restore  the  intestine  to  its  normal 
position  or  to  remove  the  kink. 

CONSTIPATION. 

Constipation  is  to  be  regarded  rather  as  a  symptom  of  disease  or  of 
faults  in  feeding  than  as  a  disease  in  itself.  It  occurs  in  almost  all 
general  fevers  unless  the  bowels  are  involved  in  local  disease,  in 
obstructions  of  all  kinds,  from  feeding  on  dry,  bulky  food,  etc.  In 
order  to  remove  the  constipation  the  treatment  must  be  applied  to 
remove  the  causes  which  give  rise  to  it.    Calves  sometimes  suffer  from 


DISEASES   OF   THE    DIGESTIVE    OEGANS.  39 

constipation  immediately  after  birth  when  the  meconium  that  accumu- 
lates in  the  bowels  before  birth  is  not  passed.  In  such  cases,  give  a 
rectal  injection  of  warm  water  and  an  ounce  of  castor  oil  shaken  up 
with  an  ounce  of  new  milk.  The  mother's  milk  is  the  best  food  to 
prevent  constipation  in  the  new-born  calf,  as  it  contains  a  large 
amount  of  fatty  matter,  which  renders  it  laxative  in  its  effects. 

It  is  usually  better  to  treat  habitual  constipation  by  a  change  of  diet 
than  by  medicine.  Flaxseed  is  a  good  food  laxative.  If  the  consti- 
pation has  lasted  long,  repeated  small  doses  of  purgatives  are  better 
than  a  single  large  dose. 

INTESTINAL  WORMS. 
[See  chapter  on  "The  animal  parasites  of  cattle."] 

RUPTURES    (VENTRAL   HERNIA). 

Ventral  hernia,  or  rupture,  is  an  escape  of  some  one  of  the  abdominal 
organs  through  a  rupture  in  the  abdominal  muscles,  the  skin  remain- 
ing intact.  The  rumen,  the  small  intestine,  or  part  of  the  large  intes- 
tine, and  the  fourth  stomach  are  the  parts  which  usually  form  a  ventral 
hernia  in  bovine  animals. 

Causes. — Hernia  is  frequently  produced  by  blows  of  the  horns, 
kicks,  and  falls.  In  old  cows  hernia  may  sometimes  occur  without 
any  direct  injury. 

Hernia  of  the  rumen. — Hernia  of  the  rumen  is  generally  situated 
on  the  left  side  of  the  abdomen,  on  account  of  the  situation  of  the 
rumen.  In  exceptional  cases  it  may  take  place  on  the  right  side,  and 
in  such  cases  it  also  generally  happens  that  some  folds  of  the  intes- 
tine pass  into  the  hernial  sac.  Hernias  have  been  classified  into  simple 
or  complicated,  recent  or  old,  traumatic  (from  mechanical  injury)  or 
spontaneous. 

In  recent  traumatic  hernia  there  is  swelling  on  the  left  side  of  the 
lower  part  of  the  abdomen.  The  swelling  is  greatest  in  the  cases  of 
hernia  which  are  situated  on  the  lower  part  of  the  abdomen.  Unless 
an  examination  is  made  immediately  after  the  injury  has  been  inflicted 
it  is  difficult,  and  sometimes  impossible,  to  ascertain  the  exact  extent 
of  the  rupture,  owing  to  the  swelling  which  subsequently  takes  place. 
Frequently  there  is  no  loss  of  appetite,  fever,  or  other  general  symp- 
toms attending  the  injury.  From  the  twelfth  to  the  fifteenth  day  the 
swelling  has  generally  subsided  to  such  an  extent  that  it  is  possible 
by  an  examination  to  determine  the  extent  of  the  rupture. 

In  old  cows  what  is  termed  spontaneous  hernia  may  sometimes  take 
place  without  any  direct  injury.  The  occurrence  of  this  form  of 
hernia  is  explained  by  the  increase  in  the  size  of  the  abdomen,  which 
takes  place  in  an  advanced  stage  of  pregnancy,  causing  a  thinning 
and  stretching  of  the  muscular  fibers,  which  at  last  may  rupture,  or 
give  way.  Such  hernias  frequently  occur  about  the  end  of  the  period 
of  gestation,  and  in  some  instances  have  contained  the  right  sac  of 


40  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

the  rumen,  the  omentum,  the  small  and  large  intestines,  a  portion  of 
the  liver,  and  the  pregnant  uterus. 

In  old  hernias  the  swelling  is  soft  and  elastic,  and  if  they  have  not 
contracted  adhesions  to  the  sides  of  the  laceration,  they  can  be  made 
to  disappear  by  pressure  carefully  applied.  Sometimes  this  accident 
is  complicated  by  a  rupture  of  the  rumen,  constituting  a  complicated 
hernia.  If  a  portion  of  the  contents  of  the  rumen  escape  into  the 
abdomen,  the  case  will  be  aggravated  by  the  occurrence  of  peritonitis. 

Hernia  of  the  bowel. — When  the  intestines  (PL  III,  fig.  6)  form 
the  contents  of  the  hernia,  it  will  be  situated  at  the  right  side  of  the 
abdomen.  In  an  intestinal  hernia  the  swelling  is  usually  not  painful, 
of  a  doughy  consistence  or  elastic,  according  as  the  intestine  does  or 
does  not  contain  alimentary  matter.  This  swelling  can  generally  be 
made  to  disappear  by  pressure,  and  when  it  has  been  reduced  one 
can  easily  recognize  the  direction  and  extent  of  the  hernial  opening. 
Hernias  of  the  bowel  which  are  situated  at  the  upper  and  right  side 
of  the  abdomen  are  usually  formed  by  the  small  intestine.  They  are 
less  easily  reduced  than  a  hernia  in  a  lower  situation,  but  when 
reduction  has  been  effected  they  are  less  readily  reproduced  than 
those  occurring  lower.  In  hernias  of  the  small  intestine,  adhesion  of 
the  protruding  parts  to  the  walls  of  the  opening,  or  strangulation, 
are  complications  which  sometimes  take  place.  If  adhesion  has  taken 
place  the  hernia  can  not  be  reduced  by  pressure,  and  when  strangu- 
lation has  occurred  the  animal  shows  symptoms  of  pain — is  restless, 
turns  its  nose  to  the  painful  part,  and  shows  those  symptoms  which 
are  usually  collectively  designated  under  the  term  colic.  If  relief  is 
not  afforded,  the  animal  will  die. 

Hernia  of  the  rennet,  or  fourth  stomach. — This  disease  occa- 
sionally occurs  in  calves  and  is  usually  caused  by  a  blow  from  a  cow's 
horn  on  the  right  flank  of  the  calf.  After  such  an  accident  a  swell- 
ing forms  on  the  right  flank  near  the  last  rib.  This  swelling  may  be 
neither  hot  nor  painful,  even  at  first,  and  is  soft  to  the  touch.  It  can 
be  made  to  disappear  by  careful  pressure,  when  the  sides  of  the  aper- 
ture through  which  it  has  passed  can  be  felt.  The  application  of 
pressure  so  as  to  cause  the  disappearance  of  the  hernia  is  best  made 
immediately  after  the  occurrence  of  the  accident,  or  when  the  edema 
which  accompanies  the  swelling  has  disappeared. 

Treatment. — When  a  hernia  is  reducible — that  is,  can  be  pushed 
back  into  the  abdomen — then,  if  it  is  of  recent  occurrence,  it  is  advis- 
able to  maintain  the  natural  position  of  the  parts  by  bandaging  and 
to  allow  the  walls  of  the  laceration  to  grow  together.  The  bowels 
should  be  kept  reasonably  empty  by  avoiding  the  use  of  bulky  food, 
and  the  animal  must  be  kept  quiet. 

The  following  method  of  bandaging  is  recommended  by  Bouley: 

First  prepare  a  bandage  (must  be  of  strong  material),  about  10  yards  long  and 
between  3  and  4  inches  broad,  and  a  flexible  and  solid  piece  of  pasteboard  adapted 


DISEASES    OF   THE    DIGESTIVE    ORGANS.  41 

in  size  to  the  surface  of  the  hernia.  The  protruding  organ  must  then  be  replaced 
in  the  abdomen  and  maintained  in  that  position  during  the  application  of  the 
bandage.  This  being  done,  a  layer  of  melted  pitch  and  turpentine  is  quickly  spread 
on  the  skin  covering  the  seat  of  the  hernia,  so  as  to  extend  somewhat  beyond  that 
space.  This  adhesive  layer  is  then  covered  with  a  layer  of  fine  tow,  then  a  new 
layer  of  pitch  and  turpentine  is  spread  on  the  tow,  and  the  piece  of  pasteboard  is 
applied  on  the  layer  of  pitch,  its  outer  surface  being  covered  with  the  same  prep- 
aration. Lastly,  the  bandage,  adhering  to  the  piece  of  pasteboard,  to  the  skin,  and 
to  the  different  turns  which  it  makes  around  the  body,  is  carefully  applied  so  as  to 
form  an  immovable,  rigid,  and  solid  bandage,  which  will  retain  the  hernia  long 
enough  for  the  wound  in  the  abdominal  walls  to  heal  permanently. 

If  the  hernia  is  old  and  small  it  may  be  treated  by  injecting  a  strong 
solution  of  common  salt  about  the  edges  of  the  tear.  This  causes 
swelling  and  inflammation,  which,  respectively,  forces  the  protruded 
organ  back  and  closes  the  opening.  There  is  some  risk  attached  to 
this  method  of  treatment. 

In  small,  old  ventral  hernias  the  method  of  compressing  and  slough- 
ing off  the  skin  has  been  used  successfully.  If  the  hernia  is  large  a 
radical  operation  will  be  necessary,  and  this  is  also  true  when  the 
symptoms  indicate  that  a  hernia  is  strangulated.  This  operation  is 
performed  by  cutting  down  on  the  hernia,  restoring  the  organ  to  the 
abdominal  cavity,  and  then  closing  the  wound  with  two  sets  of 
stitches;  the  inner  stitches,  in  the  muscular  wall,  should  be  made 
with  catgut  and  the  outer  stitches,  in  the  skin,  may  be  made  with  silk 
or  silver  wire.  The  strictest  surgical  cleanliness  must  be  observed. 
Bleeding  vessels  should  be  tied.  Then  a  compress  composed  of  ten 
or  twelve  folds  of  cloth  must  be  placed  smoothly  over  the  seat  of 
injury  and  a  bandage  applied  around  the  body,  the  two  ends  being 
fastened  at  the  back.  In  the  smaller  kinds  of  hernia,  nitric  acid  may 
sometimes  be  applied  with  success.  This  treatment  should  not  be 
applied  until  the  swelling  and  inflammation  attending  the  appearance 
of  the  hernia  have  subsided;  then,  the  contents  of  the  hernia  having 
been  returned,  the  surface  of  skin  corresponding  to  it  is  sponged  over 
with  a  solution  composed  of  1  part  of  nitric  acid  to  2  parts  of  water. 
This  treatment  acts  by  exciting  considerable  inflammation,  which  has 
the  effect  of  causing  swelling,  and  thus  frequently  closing  the  hernial 
opening  and  preventing  the  contents  of  the  sac  from  returning.  A 
second  application  should  not  be  made  until  the  inflammation  excited 
by  the  first  has  subsided.  In  what  is  termed  spontaneous  hernia  it 
is  useless  to  apply  any  kind  of  treatment. 

Umbilical  hernia. — The  umbilicus,  or  navel,  is  the  aperture 
through  which  the  blood  vessels  pass  from  the  mother  to  the  fetus, 
and  naturally  the  sides  of  this  aperture  ought  to  adhere  or  unite  after 
birth.  In  very  young  animals,  and  sometimes  in  new-born  calves, 
this  aperture  in  the  abdominal  muscles  remains  open  and  a  part  of 
the  bowel  or  a  portion  of  the  mesentery  may  slip  through  the  open- 
ing, constituting  what  is  called  umbilical  hernia.     The  wall  of  the  sac 


42  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

is  formed  by  the  skin  which  is  covered  on  the  inner  surface  by  a  layer 
of  cellular  tissue,  and  within  this  there  is  sometimes,  but  not  always, 
a  layer  of  peritoneum.  The  contents  of  the  hernia  may  be  formed  by 
a  part  of  the  bowel,  by  a  portion  of  the  peritoneum,  or  may  contain 
portions  of  both  peritoneum  and  bowel.  "When  the  sac  contains  only 
peritoneum  it  has  a  doughy  feel,  but  when  it  is  formed  by  a  portion 
of  the  bowel  it  will  be  more  elastic  on  applying  pressure. 

Causes. — In  the  new-born  animal  the  opening  of  the  navel  is  gener- 
ally large,  and  this  opening  may  sometimes  give  way  to  the  pressure 
of  the  bowel  on  account  of  the  weak  and  relaxed  condition  of  the 
abdominal  muscles.  This  defective  and  abnormal  condition  of  the 
umbilicus  is  frequently  hereditary.  It  may  be  occasioned  by  roughly 
pulling  away  the  umbilical  cord;  through  kicks  or  blows  on  the  belly; 
through  any  severe  straining  by  which  the  sides  of  the  navel  are 
stretched  apart.  We  may  mention  in  this  connection  that  it  is  best 
in  new-born  calves  to  tie  the  umbilical  cord  tightly  about  2  inches 
from  the  navel,  and  then  to  leave  it  alone,  when  it  will  drop  off  in  a 
few  days  in  most  cases,  leaving  the  navel  in  a  closed  condition. 

Treatment. — It  is  well  to  bear  in  mind  that  many,  and  especially  the 
smaller,  umbilical  hernias  will  heal  spontaneously;  that  is,  nature 
effects  a  cure.  As  the  animal  gets  older  the  abdominal  muscles  get 
stronger  and  possess  more  power  of  resistance  to  pressure,  the  bowels 
become  larger  and  do  not  pass  so  readily  through  a  small  opening,  so 
that  from  a  combination  of  causes  there  is  a  gradual  growing  together 
or  adhesion  of  the  sides  of  the  navel.  In  cases  of  umbilical  hernia 
where  there  are  no  indications  that  a  spontaneous  cure  will  take 
place,  the  calf  should  be  laid  on  its  back,  and  immediately  on  this 
being  done  the  hernia  will  often  disappear  into  the  abdomen.  If  it 
does  not  its  reduction  may  be  brought  about  by  gentle  handling, 
endeavoring,  if  need  be,  to  empty  the  organs  forming  the  hernia 
before  returning  them  into  the  abdomen.  After  the  hernia  has  been 
returned  the  hair  should  be  clipped  from  the  skin  covering  it  and  a 
compress  composed  of  ten  or  twelve  folds  of  linen  or  cotton  should  be 
applied,  first  smearing  the  skin  with  pitch  and  then  a  bandage 
about  3  inches  wide  should  be  passed  round  the  body  so  as  to  retain 
the  compress  in  position.  The  lower  part  of  the  compress  should  be 
smeared  with  pitch,  and  also  those  portions  of  the  bandage  which 
pass  over  it,  so  as  to  keep  it  solid  and  prevent  it  from  shifting.  In 
some  cases  it  will  be  found  that  the  contents  of  the  sac  can  not  be 
returned  into  the  abdomen,  and  this  generally  arises  from  the  fact 
that  some  part  of  the  contents  of  the  sac  has  grown  to  or  become 
adherent  to  the  edges  of  the  umbilical  opening.  In  such  a  case  the 
skin  must  be  carefully  laid  open  in  the  long  direction,  the  adhesions 
of  the  protruding  organs  carefully  separated  from  the  umbilicus,  and 
after  the  protruding  parts  have  been  returned  into  the  abdomen,  the 
sides  of  the  umbilicus  must  be  freshened  if  necessary  by  paring,  and 


DISEASES    OF   THE    DIGESTIVE    ORGANS.  43 

then  the  edges  of  the  opening  brought  together  by  catgut  stitches; 
the  wound  in  the  skin  must  then  also  be  brought  together  by  stitches. 
The  wound  must  be  carefully  dressed  every  day  and  a  bandage  passed 
round  the  body  so  as  to  cover  and  protect  the  part  operated  on. 

In  small  hernias  nitric  acid  has  been  used  successfully  in  the  same 
manner  as  has  been  described  in  speaking  of  the  treatment  of  ventral 
hernia.  Sulphuric  acid  has  also  been  used  for  a  similar  purpose,  dilut- 
ing it  to  the  extent  of  1  part  of  acid  to  3  or  5  of  water.  In  thin- 
skinned  animals  the  weaker  preparations  ought  to  be  preferred,  and 
caution  must  be  exercised  in  using  such  preparations  so  as  not  to 
destroy  the  tissues  on  which  they  are  applied. 

Another  method  of  treatment  is,  after  the  contents  of  the  sac  have 
been  returned  into  the  abdomen,  to  tie  a  piece  of  strong  waxed  cord 
round  the  pendulous  portion  which  formed  the  outer  covering  of  the 
hernia.  The  string  is  apt  to  slacken  after  two  or  three  days,  when  a 
new  piece  of  cord  should  be  applied  above  the  first  one.  The  constric- 
tion of  the  skin  sets  up  inflammation,  which  generally  extends  to  the 
umbilicus  and  causes  the  edges  to  adhere  together,  and  by  the  time 
the  portion  of  skin  below  the  ligature  has  lost  its  vitality  and  dropped 
off,  the  umbilicus  is  closed  and  there  is  no  danger  of  the  abdominal 
organs  protruding  through  it.  This  is  what  takes  place  when  this 
method  has  afavorable  result,  though  if  the  umbilicus  does  not  become 
adherent  and  the  skin  sloughs,  the  bowels  will  protrude  through  the 
opening. 

Gut-tie  (peritoneal  hernia). — In  peritoneal  hernia  of  the  ox  a 
loop  or  knuckle  of  intestine  enters  from  the  abdomen  into  a  rent  in 
that  part  of  the  peritoneum  which  is  situated  at  the  margin  of  the 
hip  bone  or  it  passes  under  the  remains  of  the  spermatic  cord,  the 
end  of  which  may  be  grown  fast  to  the  inner  inguinal  ring.  The 
onward  pressure  of  the  bowel,  as  well  as  the  occasional  turning  of  the 
latter  round  the  spermatic  cord,  is  the  cause  of  the  cord  exercising 
considerable  pressure  on  the  bowel,  which  occasions  irritation, 
obstructs  the  passage  of  excrement,  and  excites  inflammation,  which 
terminates  in  gangrene  and  death. 

The  rent  in  the  peritoneum  is  situated  at  the  upper  and  front  part 
of  the  pelvis,  nearer  to  the  sacrum  than  the  pubis.     (PL  I. ) 

Causes. — Among  the  causes  of  peritoneal  hernia  considerable  impor- 
tance is  attached  to  a  method  of  castration  which  is  practiced  in  cer- 
tain districts,  viz,  the  tearing  or  rupturing  of  the  spermatic  cord  by 
main  force  instead  of  dividing  it  at  a  proper  distance  above  the  testi- 
cle in  a  surgical  manner.  After  this  violent  and  rough  method  of 
operating,  the  cord  retracts  into  the  abdomen  and  its  stump  becomes 
adherent  to  some  part  of  the  peritoneum,  or  it  may  wind  around  the 
bowel  and  then  the  stump  becomes  adherent  so  that  strangulation  of 
the  bowel  results.  The  rough  dragging  on  the  cord  may  also  cause  a 
tear  in  the  peritoneum,  the  result  of  which  need  not  be  described.    The 


44  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

severe  exertion  of  ascending  hills  and  mountains,  drawing  heavy 
loads,  or  the  straining  which  oxen  undergo  while  fighting  each  other 
may  also  give  rise  to  peritoneal  hernia. 

Symptoms. — The  ox  suddenly  becomes  very  restless,  stamps  with  his 
feet,  moves  backward  and  forward,  hurriedly  lies  down,  rises,  moves 
his  tail  uneasily,  and  kicks  at  his  belly  with  the  foot  of  the  affected 
side.  The  pain  evinced  may  diminish,  but  soon  returns  again.  In  the 
early  stage  there  are  frequent  passages  of  dung,  but  after  the  lapse  of 
eighteen  to  twenty-four  hours  this  ceases,  the  bowel  apparently  being 
emptied  up  to  the  point  of  strangulation,  and  the  passages  now  con- 
sist only  of  a  little  mucus  mixed  with  blood.  When  injections  are 
given  at  this  time  the  water  passes  out  of  the  bowel  without  even 
being  colored.  The  animal  lies  down  on  the  side  where  the  hernia 
exists  and  stretches  out  his  hind  feet  in  a  backward  direction.  These 
two  particular  symptoms  serve  to  distinguish  this  affection  from  enter- 
itis and  invagination  of  the  bowel.  As  time  passes,  the  animal  becomes 
quieter,  but  this  cessation  of  pain  may  indicate  that  gangrene  of  the 
bowel  has  set  in,  and  may,  therefore,  under  certain  circumstances,  be 
considered  a  precursor  of  death.  Gangrene  may  take  place  in  from 
four  to  six  days,  when  perforation  of  the  bowel  may  occur  and  death 
result  in  a  short  time. 

Treatment. — The  ox  should  in  the  first  place  be  examined  by  oiling 
the  hand  and  arm  and  passing  it  into  the  rectum;  the  hand  should  be 
passed  along  the  margin  of  the  pelvis,  beginning  at  the  sacrum  and 
continuing  downward  toward  the  inguinal  ring,  when  a  soft,  painful 
swelling  will  be  felt,  which  may  vary  from  the  size  of  an  apple  to  that 
of  the  two  fists.  This  swelling  will  be  felt  to  be  tightly  compressed  by 
the  spermatic  cord.  It  very  rarely  happens  that  there  is  any  similar 
swelling  on  the  left  side,  though  it  is  best  in  such  cases  to  make  a 
thorough  examination.  The  bowel  has  sometimes  been  released  from 
its  position  by  driving  the  ox  down  a  hill,  by  causing  him  to  jump 
from  a  height  of  2  feet  to  the  ground,  and  the  expedient  of  trotting 
him  has  been  resorted  to  with  the  hope  that  the  jolting  movement 
might  bring  about  a  release  of  the  bowel.  If  the  simple  expedients 
mentioned  have  been  tried  and  failed,  then  the  hand  being  passed  into 
the  rectum  should  be  pressed  gently  on  the  swelling  in  an  upward  and 
forward  direction,  so  as  to  endeavor  to  push  the  imprisoned  portion  of 
the  bowel  back  into  the  abdomen.  While  this  is  being  done  the  ox's 
hind  feet  should  stand  on  higher  ground  than  the  front,  so  as  to  favor 
the  slipping  out  of  the  bowel  by  its  own  weight,  and  at  the  same  time 
an  assistant  should  squeeze  the  animal's  loins,  so  as  to  cause  it  to  bend 
downward  and  so  relax  the  band  formed  by  the  spermatic  cord.  If 
the  imprisoned  portion  of  gut  is  freed,  which  may  be  ascertained  by 
the  disappearance  of  the  swelling,  the  usual  sounds  produced  by  the 
bowels  moving  in  the  abdomen  will  be  heard,  and  in  a  few  hours  the 
feces  and  urine  will  be  passed  as  usual.     If  the  means  mentioned  fail 


DISEASES    OF    THE    DIGESTIVE    ORGANS.  45 

in  releasing  the  imprisoned  portion  of  the  gut,  then  an  incision  about 
4  inches  long  must  be  made  in  the  right  flank  in  a  downward  direc- 
tion, the  hand  introduced  into  the  abdomen,  the  situation  and  condi- 
tion of  swelling  exactly  ascertained,  and  then  a  probe-pointed  knife 
inserted  between  the  imprisoned  bowel  and  band  compressing  it,  and 
turned  outward  against  the  band,  the  latter  being  then  cautiously 
divided  and  the  imprisoned  gut  allowed  to  escape,  or,  if  necessary,  the 
bowel  should  be  drawn  gently  from  its  position  into  the  abdomen. 
The  wound  in  the  flank  must  be  brought  together  in  the  same  way  as 
in  the  case  of  the  wound  made  in  operating  for  impaction  of  the  rumen. 

WOUNDS   OF  THE   ABDOMEN. 

A  wound  of  the  abdomen  may  merely  penetrate  the  skin ;  but  as 
such  cases  are  not  attended  with  much  danger,  nor  their  treatment 
with  much  difficulty,  we  propose  to  consider  here  merely  those  wounds 
which  penetrate  the  entire  thickness  of  the  abdominal  walls  and 
expose  to  a  greater  or  less  extent  the  organs  contained  in  that  cavity. 

Causes. — Such  accidents  may  be  occasioned  by  failing  on  fragments 
of  broken  glass  or  other  sharp  objects.  A  blow  from  the  horn  of 
another  animal  may  produce  a  wound  which  penetrates  the  abdomen. 
Exposure  and  protrusion  of  some  of  the  abdominal  organs  may  also  be 
occasioned  by  the  incautious  use  of  caustics  in  the  treatment  of 
umbilical  or  ventral  hernia.  The  parts  which  generally  escape  through 
an  abdominal  wound  are  the  small  intestine  and  floating  colon,. 

Symptoms. — When  the  abdominal  wound  is  small,  the  bowel  exposed 
presents  the  appearance  of  a  small  round  tumor,  but  in  a  few  moments 
a  loop  of  intestine  may  emerge  from  the  opening.  The  animal  then 
shows  symptoms  of  severe  pain  by  pawing  with  his  feet,  which  has  the 
effect  of  accelerating  the  passage  of  new  loops  of  intestine  through 
the  wound,  so  that  the  mass  which  they  form  may  even  touch  the 
ground.  The  pain  becomes  so  great  that  the  ox  now  not  only  paws 
but  lies  down  and  rolls,  thus  tearing  and  crushing,  his  bowels.  In 
such  cases  it  is  best  to  slaughter  the  animal  at  once ;  but  in  the  case 
of  a  valuable  animal  in  which  tearing  and  crushing  of  the  bowels  has 
not  taken  place,  the  bowels  should  be  washed  with  freshly  boiled 
water,  reduced  to  the  temperature  of  the  body,  and  returned,  and  the 
wounds  in  the  muscle  and  skin  brought  together  in  a  manner  some- 
what similar  to  that  which  was  described  in  speaking  of  ventral  hernia. 

DISEASES   OF   THE   LIVER  AND   SPLEEN. 

JAUNDICE  (THE   YELLOWS,  OR  CONGESTION   OF   THE  LIVER). 

[Plate  IV.] 

When  jaundice  exists,  there  is  a  yellow  appearance  of  the  white  of 
the  eyes  and  of  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  mouth.  A  similar  aspect 
of  the  skin  may  also  be  observed  in  animals  which  are  either  partly 


46  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

or  altogether  covered  with  white  hair.  Jaundice  is  then  merely  a 
symptom  of  disease  and  ought  to  direct  attention  to  ascertaining,  if 
possible,  the  cause  or  causes  which  have  given  rise  to  it.  A  swollen 
condition  of  the  mucous  membrane  of  that  part  of  the  bowel  called 
the  duodenum  may  produce  jaundice,  as  that  mechanically  closes  the 
orifice  of  the  biliary  duct.  In  constipation  there  is  an  inactive  or  tor- 
pid condition  of  the  bowel,  and  the  bile  which  passes  into  the  intes- 
tine may  be  absorbed  and  cause  the  yellow  staining  of  jaundice. 
Jaundice  is  one  of  the  symptoms  of  Texas  fever.  It  may  also  arise 
from  the  presence  of  parasites  or  gallstones  in  the  ducts,  forming  a 
mechanical  obstruction  to  the  onward  flow  of  bile.  The  conditions 
under  which  jaundice  most  commonly  calls  for  treatment  are  when 
cattle  have  been  highly  fed  and  kept  in  a  state  of  inactivity.  At  such 
a  time  there  is  an  excess  of  nutritive  elements  carried  into  the  blood, 
which  is  associated  with  increased  fullness  of  the  portal  vein  and 
hepatic  artery.  When  continued  high  feeding  has  produced  this 
congested  state  of  the  liver,  the  functions  of  that  organ  become  dis- 
ordered, so  that  a  considerable  portion  of  the  bile,  instead  of  being 
excreted  and  passing  into  the  intestine,  is  absorbed  by  the  hepatic 
veins. 

Sympto?7is. — This  disease,  although  rare,  occurs  most  frequently 
among  stall-fed  cattle.  Pressure  along  the  margin  of  the  short  ribs 
on  the  right  side  produces  pain ;  the  appetite  is  poor  and  the  animal 
shows  hardly  any  inclination  to  drink;  the  mucous  membranes  of  the 
eye  and  mouth  are  yellow,  the  urine  has  a  yellow  or  brown  appear- 
ance, the  animal  lies  down  much  and  moves  with  reluctance,  moans 
occasionally,  and  has  a  tottering  gait.  The  ears  and  horns  are  alter- 
nately hot  and  cold ;  in  cows  the  secretion  of  milk  is  much  diminished, 
and  that  which  is  secreted  has  a  bitter  taste ;  sometimes  the  animal 
has  a  dry,  painful  cough  and  presents  a  dull,  stupefied  appearance. 

Treatment. — In  such  cases  it  is  advisable  to  produce  a  free  action  of 
the  bowels,  so  as  to  remove  the  usually  congested  condition  of  the 
portal  vein  and  liver.  For  this  purpose  we  recommend  the  adminis- 
tration of  the  following  dose:  Sulphate  of  soda,  16  ounces;  molasses, 
1  pint;  warm  water,  1  quart.  The  sulphate  of  soda  is  dissolved  by 
stirring  it  up  in  tepid  water.  Following  this  the  animal  should  have 
a  heaping  tablespoonf ul  of  artificial  Carlsbad  salts  in  the  food  three 
times  daily.  This  treatment  may  be  assisted  by  giving  occasional 
injections  of  warm  water  and  soap.  The  diet  should  be  laxative  and 
moderate  in  quantity,  and  may  consist  of  coarse  bran  mash,  pulped 
roots,  grass  in  the  season,  and  hay  in  moderate  quantity. 

HEPATITIS    (INFLAMMATION    OP   THE   LIVER). 

Hepatitis  is  an  inflammation  of  the  liver,  and  usually  occurs  as  a 
complication  of  some  infectious  disease.  It  may  also  occur  as  a  com- 
plication of  gastro-intestinal  catarrh,  or  in  the  hot  weather  from  over- 
heating or  damaged  (putrid  or  fermented)  foods. 


DISEASES    OF   THE    DIGESTIVE    ORGANS.  47 

Symptoms. — The  symptoms  are  sometimes  obscure,  and  their  real 
significance  is  frequently  overlooked.  The  most  prominent  symp- 
toms are  yellowness  of  the  white  of  the  eye  and  of  the  membrane 
lining  the  mouth,  the  appetite  is  poor,  the  body  presents  an  emaci- 
ated appearance,  the  feces  are  light  colored,  while  the  urine  is  likely 
to  be  unusually  dark;  there  is  thirst,  and  pain  is  caused  by  pressing 
over  the  liver.  The  gait  is  weak,  and  the  animal  lies  down  more 
than  usual,  and  while  doing  so  frequently  has  its  head  turned  round 
resting  on  the  side  of  its  chest. 

Treatment. — Give  a  purge  of  Glauber's  salts,  and  after  it  has  operated 
give  artificial  Carlsbad  salts  in  each  feed,  as  advised  under  "Jaun- 
dice." Give  green  food  and  plenty  of  water.  Oil  of  turpentine  should 
be  rubbed  in  well  once  a  day  over  the  region  of  the  liver.  The  skin 
on  which  it  should  be  applied  extends  from  the  false  ribs  on  the  right 
side  to  6  inches  in  front  of  the  last  one,  and  from  the  backbone  to  12 
inches  on  the  right  side  of  it. 

THE   FLUKE   DISEASE. 
[See  chapter  on  "  The  animal  parasites  of  cattle."] 
SPLENITIS  (INFLAMMATION   OF  THE  SPLEEN). 

This  disease  occurs  almost  solely  as  a  result  of  the  existence  of 
some  infectious  disease,  and  the  symptoms  caused  by  it  merge  with 
the  symptoms  of  the  accompanying  causative  disease.  The  spleen  is 
seriously  involved,  and  becomes  enlarged  and  soft  in  Texas  fever, 
anthrax,  and  blood  poisoning. 

DISEASES    OF   THE    PERITONEUM. 
PERITONITIS. 

Peritonitis  consists  in  an  inflammation  of  the  peritoneum,  which  is 
the  thin,  delicate  membrane  that  lines  the  abdomen  and  covers  the 
abdominal  organs. 

Causes. — Wounds  are  the  usual  cause  in  cattle.  The  wound  may 
be  of  the  abdominal  wall  or  of  the  intestines,  stomach,  or  uterus;  or 
inflammation  may  extend  from  one  of  the  organs  of  the  abdominal 
cavity  to  the  peritoneum;  so  this  disease  may  complicate  enteritis  or 
inflamed  womb.  A  sharp  metal  body  may  perforate  the  second 
stomach  and  allow  the  gastric  contents  to  escape,  irritating  the  peri- 
toneum.    This  disease  may  follow  castration  or  operation  for  hernia. 

Symptoms. — A  continuous  or  occasional  shivering;  the  animal  lies 
down,  but  appears  uneasy;  it  frequently  turns  its  head  toward  its 
belly  and  lows  plaintively;  pressure  on  the  flanks  produces  pain;  has 
no  appetite;  muzzle  is  dry  and  no  rumination;  while  standing  its  legs 
are  placed  well  under  its  body;  pulse  small  and  hard.  The  evacua- 
tions from  the  bowels  are  dry  and  hard.  If  this  disease  is  complicated 
by  the  presence  of  inflammation  of  the  bowels,  the  pain  is  more  severe 


48  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

and  the  animal  is  more  restless.  The  skin  is  cold  and  dry  in  the  early- 
stage  of  this  disease,  but  in  a  more  advanced  stage  this  condition  may 
toe  succeeded  by  heat  of  the  skin  and  quick  breathing.  The  fits  of 
trembling,  uneasiness,  small  and  hard  pulse,  and  tension  of  the  left 
flank  are  symptoms  the  presence  of  which  should  enable  one  to  reach 
the  conclusion  that  peritonitis  exists. 

Post-mortem  appearance. — The  membrane  lining  the  abdomen  and 
covering  the  surface  of  the  bowels  is  reddened  to  a  greater  or  less 
extent,  and  there  is  usually  considerable  serous,  or  watery,  fluid  col- 
lected in  the  abdomen. 

Treatment. — When  we  have  to  do  with  the  form  of  peritonitis  result- 
ing from  an  injury,  as  when  the  horn  of  another  animal  has  been 
thrust  through  the  abdominal  walls,  this  lesion  must  be  treated  in 
accordance  with  directions  before  given,  but  the  general  treatment 
must  be  similar  to  that  which  follows.  Peritonitis  resulting  from 
castration  or  from  parturition  fever  must  also  be  treated  in  connec- 
tion with  the  special  conditions  which  give  rise  to  it,  as  the  general 
treatment  of  this  disease  must  be  modified  to  some  extent  by  the 
exciting  cause. 

The  aim  must  be  to  discover  and  remove  the  cause.  The  cause 
must  be  treated  according  to  its  nature.  Harms  strongly  recommends 
borax  in  the  treatment  of  peritonitis.  He  gives  6  ounces  in  the  first 
twenty-four  hours,  divided  into  three  doses,  and  afterwards  he  gives 
6  drams  three  times  daily.  Opium  in  doses  of  2  to  3  drams  may  be 
given.  To  bring  on  evacuations  of  the  bowels  it  is  better  to  give 
rectal  injections  than  to  administer  purges.  The  strength  may  be 
sustained  by  coffee,  whisky,  or  camphor. 

The  body  should  be  warmly  clothed,  and  it  is  advisable,  when  prac- 
ticable, to  have  a  blanket  which  has  been  wrung  out  of  hot  water 
placed  over  the  abdomen,  then  covered  by  several  dry  blankets,  which 
are  maintained  in  position  by  straps  or  ropes  passing  round  the  body. 
The  wet  blanket  must  be  changed  as  it  cools — the  object  of  treatment 
being  to  warm  the  surface  of  the  body  and  to  determine  as  much  blood 
to  the  skin  as  possible.  The  diet  should  consist  of  laxative  food  and 
drinks,  such  as  linseed  tea.  If  peritonitis  assumes  chronic  form  the 
diet  should  be  nutritious,  such  as  selected  clover  hay,  linseed  cake, 
grass,  etc.,  and  iodide  of  potassium  should  be  given  in  dram  doses  dis- 
solved in  a  pint  of  water  three  times  a  day. 

DROPSY   OF  THE  ABDOMEN  (ASCITES). 

In  this  disease  there  is  a  serous,  or  watery,  effusion  in  the  cavity  of 
the  abdomen. 

Causes. — When  old  animals  are  fed  on  innutritious  food  or  when 
an  animal  is  reduced  by  disease,  they  become  anemic;  or,  in  other 
words,  their  blood  becomes  impoverished  and  dropsy  may  follow  this 


DISEASES    OF   THE    DIGESTIVE    ORGANS.  49 

condition.  An  innutritions  and  insufficient  diet  will  produce  the 
same  effect  in  young  animals.  It  is  one  of  the  results  of  peritonitis, 
and  may  also  arise  from  acute  or  chronic  inflammation  of  the  liver, 
such  as  is  of  common  occurrence  when  flukes  are  present  in  the  liver 
in  large  numbers.  Heart  disease  and  chronic  lung  disease  may  be 
followed  by  ascites.  It  is  sometimes,  in  calves,  a  symptom  of  infes- 
tation with  worms. 

Symptoms. — A  gradual  increase  in  the  size  of  the  abdomen  at  its 
lower  part,  while  the  flanks  becomes  hollow;  pallor  of  the  mucous 
membrane  of  the  mouth  and  eye;  weak  and  sluggish  gait;  want  of 
appetite,  and  irregularity  in  ruminating.  On  percussion,  or  tapping 
the  surface  of  the  abdomen  with  the  fingers,  a  dull  sound  is  produced. 
If  the  hand  and  arm  are  oiled  and  passed  into  the  rectum  so  far  as 
possible,  on  moving  the  hand  from  one  side  to  the  other  the  fluctua- 
tion caused  by  the  presence  of  fluid  in  the  abdomen  may  be  felt. 

Treatment. — The  cause  must  be  discovered  if  possible  and  removed. 
The  diet  should  be  nutritious,  and  in  those  cases  where  we  have 
merely  to  deal  with  anemia  (the  bloodless  state)  arising  from  insuffi- 
cient diet,  the  use  of  tonics  and  diuretics,  at  the  same  time  keeping 
the  skin  warm,  may  bring  about  a  gradual  absorption  of  the  fluid 
contained  in  the  abdomen.  One  of  the  following  powders  may  be 
mixed  with  the  animal's  food  three  times  a  day;  or,  if  there  is  any 
uncertainty  as  to  its  being  taken  in  that  way,  it  should  be  mixed  with 
sirup,  so  as  to  form  a  paste,  and  smeared  well  back  on  the  animal's 
tongue  with  a  flat  wooden  spoon:  Carbonate  of  iron,  3  ounces;  pow- 
dered gentian,  3  ounces;  powered  nitrate  of  potash,  3  ounces;  mix 
and  divide  into  twelve  powders.  The  administration  of  purgatives 
which  promote  a  watery  discharge  from  the  mucous  surface  of  the 
bowels,  also  tends,  by  diminishing  the  serum  of  the  blood,  to  bring 
about  absorption  and  a  gradual  removal  of  the  fluid  contained  in  the 
abdomen.  Large  doses  should  not  be  given,  but  moderate  doses 
should  be  administered  morning  and  night,  so  as  to  produce  a  laxa- 
tive effect  on  the  bowels  for  some  days.  To  attain  this  end  the  fol- 
lowing maybe  used:  Sulphate  of  soda,  8  ounces;  powdered  ginger, 
half  an  ounce;  mix  in  2  quarts  of  tepid  water,  and  then  give  at  one 
dose. 

61386—08 4 


DISEASES  OF  THE  DIGESTIVE  ORGANS. 

DESCRIPTION   OF   PLATES. 

Plate  I: 

Position  of  the  first  stomach  (paunch,  rumen)  on  the  left  side:  a,  the  situation 
of  the  rumen;  b,  the  spleen  or  milt  resting  on  it;  c,  the  skin  and  muscles 
removed  from  the  ribs  to  show  position  of  the  lungs  and  their  relation  to 
the  paunch. 

Plate  II: 

Fig.  1.  Stomach  of  a  full-grown  sheep,  ^  natural  size.  After  Thanhoffer,  from 
R.  Meade  Smith's  Physiology  of  Domestic  Animals:  a,  rumen,  or  first 
stomach;  b,  reticulum,  or  second  stomach;  c,  omasum,  or  third  stomach; 
d,  abomasum,  or  fourth  stomach;  e,  esophagus,  or  gullet,  opening  into  first 
and  second  stomachs;  /,  opening  of  fourth  stomach  into  small  intestine; 
g,  opening  of  second  stomach  into  third;  h,  opening  of  third  stomach  into 
fourth. 
The  lines  indicate  the  course  of  the  food  in  the  stomachs.  The  incompletely 
masticated  food  passes  down  the  esophagus,  or  gullet,  into  the  first  and 
second  stomachs,  in  which  a  churning  motion  is  kept  up,  carrying  the 
food  from  side  to  side  and  from  stomach  to  stomach.  From  the  first 
stomach  regurgitation  takes  place;  that  is,  the  food  is  returned  through 
the  gullet  to  the  mouth  to  be  more  thoroughly  masticated,  or  chewed,  and 
this  constitutes  what  is  known  as  "chewing  the  cud."  From  the  second 
stomach  the  food  passes  into  the  third,  and  from  the  third  into  the  fourth, 
or  true,  stomach,  and  from  there  into  the  intestines. 
Fig.  2.  Stomach  of  ox.  After  Colin,  from  R.  Meade  Smith's  Physiology  of 
Domestic  Animals:  a,  rumen;  b,  reticulum;  c,  omasum;  d,  abomasum;  e, 
esophagus;  /,  opening  of  fourth  stomach  into  small  intestine. 
Furstenberg  calculated  that  in  an  ox  of  1 ,400  pounds  weight  the  capacity  of 
the  stomachs  is  as  follows: 

Per  cent. 

Rumen,  149.25  quarts,  liquid  measure 62.4 

Reticulum,  23.77  quarts 10 

Omasum,  36.98  quarts 15 

Abomasum,  29.05  quarts 12. 6 

According  to  Colon —  Quarts. 

The  capacity  of  a  beef's  stomach  is 266. 81 

Small  intestine 69. 74 

Cecum 9.51 

Colon  and  rectum 25. 58 

50 


DISEASES    OF   THE    DIGESTIVE    ORGA.NS.  51 

Plate  III: 

Fig.  1.  Clinical  thermometer,  %  natural  size.  This  is  used  to  determine  the 
temperature  of  the  animal  body.  The  thermometer  is  passed  into  the 
rectum  after  having  been  moistened  with  a  little  saliva  from  the  mouth, 
or  after  having  had  a  little  oil  or  lard  rubbed  upon  it  to  facilitate  its  pas- 
sage. There  it  is  allowed  to  remain  two  or  three  minutes,  then  with- 
drawn, and  the  temperature  read  as  in  any  ordinary  thermometer.  The 
clinical  thermometer  is  made  self -registering;  that  is,  the  mercury  in  the 
stem  remains  at  the  height  to  which  it  was  forced  by  the  heat  of  the  body 
until  it  is  shaken  back  into  the  bulb  by  taking  hold  of  the  upper  portion 
of  the  instrument  and  giving  it  a  short,  sharp  swing.  The  normal  tem- 
perature of  cattle  varies  from  100°  to  103°  F.  In  young  animals  it  is 
somewhat  higher  than  in  old.  The  thermometer  is  a  very  useful  instru- 
ment and  frequently  is  the  means  by  which  disease  is  detected  before  the 
appearance  of  any  external  sign. 

Fig.  2.  Simple  probang,  used  to  dislodge  foreign  bodies,  like  apples,  potatoes, 
eggs,  etc..  which  have  become  fastened  or  stuck  in  the  esophagus,  or 
gullet. 

Fig.  3.  Grasping  or  forceps  probang.  This  instrument,  also  intended  to 
remove  obstructions  from  the  gullet,  has  a  spring  forceps  at  one  end  in 
the  place  of  the  cup-like  arrangement  at  the  end  of  the  simple  probang. 
The  forceps  are  closed  while  the  probang  is  being  introduced;  their  blades 
are  regulated  by  a  screw  in  the  handle  of  the  instrument.  This  probang 
is  used  to  grasp  and  withdraw  an  article  which  may  have  lodged  in  the 
gullet  and  can  not  be  forced  into  the  stomach  by  use  of  the  simple 
probang. 

Fig.  4.  Wooden  gag,  used  when  the  probang  is  to  be  passed.  The  gag  is  a 
piece  of  wood  which  fits  in  the  animal's  mouth;  a  cord  passes  over  the 
head  to  hold  it  in  place.  The  central  opening  in  the  wood  is  intended  for 
the  passage  of  the  probang. 

Figs.  5a  and  5b.  Trocar  and  canula;  5a  shows  the  trocar  covered  by  the 
canula;  5b,  the  canula  from  which  the  trocar  has  been  withdrawn.  This 
instrument  is  used  when  the  rumen  or  first  stomach  becomes  distended 
with  gas.  The  trocar  covered  by  the  canula  is  forced  into  the  rumen, 
the  trocar  withdrawn,  and  the  canula  allowed  to  remain  until  the  gas  has 
escaped. 

Fig.  6.  Section  at  right  angles  through  the  abdominal  wall,  showing  a  hernia 
or  rupture.  Taken  from  D'Aborval,  Diet,  de  Med.,  de  Chir.  et  de  Hyg.: 
a  a.  The  abdominal  muscles  cut  across;  v,  opening  in  the  abdominal  wall 
permitting  the  intestines  i  i  to  pass  through  and  outward  between  the 
abdominal  wall  and  the  skin;  p  p,  peritoneum,  or  membrane  lining  the 
abdominal  cavity,  carried  through  the  opening  o  by  the  loop  of  intestine 
and  forming  the  sac  S,  the  outer  walls  of  which  are  marked  b  f  b. 
Plate  IV: 

Fig.  1.  The  liver  is  composed  of  innumerable  small  lobules,  from  ^  to  ^  inch 
in  diameter.  The  lobules  are  held  together  by  a  small  amount  of  fibrous 
tissue  in  which  the  bile  ducts  and  larger  blood  vessels  are  lodged.  Fig.  1  of 
the  diagram  illustrates  the  structure  of  a  lobule;  v  v,  interlobular  veins  or 
the  veins  between  the  lobules.  These  are  branches  of  the  portal  vein, 
which  carries  blood  from  the  stomach  and  intestines  to  the  liver;  c  c, 
capillaries,  or  very  fine  blood  vessels,  extending  as  a  very  fine  network 
between  the  groups  of  liver  cells  from  the  interlobular  vein  to  the  center 
of  the  lobule  and  emptying  there  into  the  intralobular  vein  to  the  center 


52  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

of  the  lobule;  v  c,  intralobular  vein,  or  the  vein  within  the  lobule.  This 
vessel  passes  out  of  the  lobule  and  there  becomes  the  sublobular  vein; 
v  .s,  sublobular  vein.  This  joins  other  similar  veins  and  helps  to  form  the 
hepatic  vein,  through  which  the  blood  leaves  the  liver;  d  d,  the  position 
of  the  liver  cells  between  the  meshes  of  the  capillaries;  A  A,  branches  of 
the  hepatic  artery  to  the  interlobular  connective  tissue  and  the  walls  of 
the  large  veins  and  large  bile  ducts.  These  branches  are  seen  at  r  r,  and 
form  the  vena  vascularis;  v  v,  vena  vascularis;  i  i,  branches  of  the  hepatic 
artery  entering  the  substance  of  the  lobule  and  connecting  with  capillaries 
from  the  interlobular  vein.  The  use  of  the  hepatic  artery  is  to  nourish 
the  liver,  while  the  other  vessels  carry  blood  to  be  modified  by  the  liver 
-  cells  in  certain  important  directions;  g,  branches  of  the  bile  ducts, 
carrying  bile  from  the  various  lobules  into  the  gall  bladder  and  into  the 
intestines;  x  x,  intralobular  bile  capillaries  between  the  liver  cells. 
These  form  a  network  of  very  minute  tubes  surrounding  each  ultimate 
cell  which  receives  the  bile  as  it  is  formed  by  the  liver  cells  and  carried 
outward  as  described. 
Fig.  2.  Isolated  liver  cells:  c,  blood  capillary;  a,  fine  bile  capillary  channel. 

Plate  V: 

Appearance  of  ergot  in  hay:  l,blue  grass;  2,  timothy;  3.  wild  rye;  4,  red  top. 

Ergot  is  a  fungus  which  may  affect  any  member  of  the  grass  family.  The 
spore  of  the  fungus,  by  some  means  brought  in  contact  with  the  unde- 
veloped seed  of  the  grass,  grows,  obliterates  the  seed,  and  practically  takes 
its  place.  When  hay  affected  with  ergot  is  fed  to  animals  it  is  productive 
of  a  characteristic  and  serious  affection  or  poisoning  known  as  ergotism. 

Plate  VI: 

Illustrates  the  effects  of  ergot.  The  lower  part  of  the  limb  of  a  cow,  showing 
the  loss  of  skin  and  flesh  in  a  narrow  ring  around  the  pastern  bone,  and 
the  exposure  of  the  bone  itself. 


Diseases  of  Cattle. 


Plate  IV. 


Microscopic  anatomy  of  the  liver. 


Diseases  of  Cattle. 


PLATE  V. 


Hi  P 


mn  Nature 


ERGOT  IN   HAY. 


Diseases  of  Cattle 


Plate  vi 


Tom  nature 


JULIUS  BIFN  &   CO.N.Y. 


Ergotism. 


POI80N8   AND   POISONING. 

By  V.  T.  Atkinson,  V.  S. 

[Revised  in  1904  by  Leonard  Pearson,  B.  8..  V.  M.  D.] 
DEFINITION    OF   A    POISON. 

To  clearly  define  the  meaning  of  the  word  "poison"  would  be  some- 
what difficult.  Even  in  law  the  word  has  never  been  defined,  and 
when  a  definition  is  attempted  we  are  apt  to  include  either  too  much 
or  too  little.  The  following  is  perhaps  as  satisfactory  a  definition 
as  may  be  given :  A  poison  is  a  chemical  substance  having  an  inher- 
ent deleterious  property  rendering  it  capable  in  small  quantities  of 
producing  serious  functional  disturbances  upon  gaining  access  to 
the  system  by  the  usual  channels;  or  it  is  a  substance  which,  when 
introduced  into  the  system  or  applied  externally,  injures  health  or 
destroys  life  irrespective  of  mechanical  means  or  thermal  changes. 
The  common  conception  of  a  poison  is  any  substance  which,  in 
small  quantity,  will  destroy  life,  excepting  such  as  act  by  purely 
mechanical  means,  as,  for  example,  powdered  glass. 

Some  substances  that  are  not  usually  looked  upon  as  poisons  may 
destroy  life  if  given  in  large  doses,  such  as  common  salt.  Other  sub- 
stances which  are  perfectly  harmless  when  taken  into  the  body  in  the 
usual  way  are  poisons  if  injected  into  the  circulation,  such  as  distilled 
water,  milk,  or  glycerine.  Living  organisms  are  not  "chemical  sub- 
stances," and  are  not  considered  in  this  connection. 

SOURCES   OF   POISONING. 

Poisoning  may  come  from  many  causes,  among  the  chief  of  whi<  h 
are  the  following: 

(1)  Errors  in  medication. — By  using  the  wrong  substance  or  too 
large  dose  an  animal  may  be  poisoned. 

(2)  The  exposure  of  poisons  used  for  horticultural,  technical,  or 
other  legitimate  purposes. — Poisons  used  for  spraying  plants,  disin- 
fecting, poisoning  vermin,  dipping  sheep,  painting,  smelting,  dyeing, 
or  other  purposes,  may  be  so  handled  as  to  come  within  the  reach  of 
animals. 

(3)  Damaged  food. — Food  that  has  undergone  putrefaction  or  cer- 
tain kinds  of  fermentation  or  heating,  or  food  that  is  infested  with 

53 


54  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

insects,  may  have  become  poisonous,  producing  forage  poisoning,  meat 
poisoning,  cheese  poisoning,  etc. 

(4)  Poisonous  plants  in  the  pasture  or  forage. 

(5)  The  bite  or  sting  of  a  poisonous  insect  or  the  bite  of  an  anim.al. 

(6)  Malicious  poisoning. 

THE    ACTION    OF   POISONS. 

This  may  be  either  local,  and  exerted  directly  on  the  tissues  with 
which  they  come  in  contact,  or  remote,  acting  through  the  circula- 
tion or  the  nervous  system ;  or  both  local  and  remote  action  may  be 
exerted  by  the  same  drug.  Poisons  which  act  locally  generally  either 
destroy  by  corrosion  the  tissues  with  which  they  come  in  contact  or 
by  inhalation  set  up  acute  inflammation.  When  any  corrosive  agent 
is  taken  into  the  stomach  in  poisonous  quantities,  a  group  of  symp- 
toms is  developed  which  is  common  to  all.  The  tissues  with  which 
the  agent  comes  in  contact  are  destroyed,  sloughing  and  acute  inflam- 
mation of  the  surrounding  structures  take  place;  intense  pain  in  the 
abdomen  and  death  ensue.  In  a  like  manner,  but  with  less  rapidity, 
the  same  result  is  reached  if  the  agent  used  be  not  of  a  sufficiently 
corrosive  nature  to  destroy  the  tissues,  but  sufficiently  irritating  to  set 
up  acute  inflammation  of  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  digestive  tract. 
If  the  poison  exerts  a  remote  influence  alone,  the  action  is  quite  differ- 
ent, little  or  no  local  effect  being  produced  upon  the  digestive  organs. 

To  produce  an  effect  on  some  part  of  the  body  distant  from  the 
channel  of  entrance,  a  poison  must  have  been  absorbed  and  carried 
in  the  blood  to  the  central  nervous  system  or  other  region  involved. 
The  poisonous  effect  of  any  substance  is  modified  by  the  quantity 
used ;  by  its  chemical  combinations ;  by  the  part  of  the  animal  struc- 
ture with  which  it  comes  in  contact;  by  the  physical  condition  of  the 
subject;  and  also  by  the  rapidity  with  which  the  poison  is  excreted. 
As  an  illustration,  opium  may  be  given  with  safety  in  much  larger 
doses  to  an  animal  suffering  from  acute  pain  than'to  one  free  from 
pain,  and  to  an  adult  animal  with  greater  safety  than  to  a  young  one. 
The  rapidity  with  which  the  poison  is  absorbed,  owing  to  the  part  of 
the  body  with  which  it  is  brought  in  contact,  is  also  an  important 
factor.  So  marked  is  this  quality  that  some  agents  which  have  the 
power  of  destroying  life  with  almost  absolute  certainty  when  intro- 
duced beneath  the  skin,  may  be  taken  -into  the  stomach  without  caus- 
ing inconvenience,  as  curara,  the  arrow  poison,  or  the  venomous  secre- 
tion of  the  snake.  Other  agents  in  chemical  combination  may  tend 
to  intensify,  lessen,  or  wholly  neutralize  the  poisonous  effect.  For 
example,  arsenic  in  itself  has  well-marked  poisonous  properties,  but 
when  brought  in  contact  with  dialyzed  iron  it  forms  an  insoluble  com- 
pound and  becomes  innocuous.  Idiosyncrasies  are  not  so  noticeable 
in  cattle  practice  as  in  practice  among  human  beings,  but  the  uncer- 
tainty with  which  some  drugs  exert  their  influence  would  lead  us  to 


POISONS    AND    POISONING.  55 

believe  that  well-marked  differences  in  susceptibility  exist.  Even  in 
some  cases  a  tolerance  for  poison  is  engendered,  so  that  in  a  herd  of 
animals  equally  exposed  injurious  or  fatal  effects  do  not  appear  with 
uniformity.  For  example,  among  cattle  that  are  compelled  to  drink 
water  holding  in  solution  a  salt  of  lead  the  effects  of  the  poisoning 
will  be  found  varying  all  the  way  from  fatality  to  imperceptibility. 

GENERAL    SYMPTOMS    OF   POISONING. 

It  is  not  always  easy  to  differentiate  between  poisoning  and  some 
disease.  Indeed,  examination  during  the  life  of  the  animal  is  some- 
times wholly  inadequate  to  the  formation  of  an  opinion  as  to  whether 
the  case  is  one  of  poisoning  or,  if  it  is,  as  to  what  the  poison  may  be. 
A  chemical  and  physical  examination  after  the  death  of  the  animal 
may  be  necessary  to  clear  up  the  doubt.  On  the  other  hand,  the 
symptoms  may  be  of  such  a  nature  as  to  point  unmistakably  to  poi- 
soning with  a  certain  agent.  In  general,  the  following  classes  of 
symptoms  may  be  regarded  as  indicative  of  poisoning:  Sudden  onset 
of  the  disease  without  visible  cause,  a  number  of  animals  similarly 
affected  at  once,  severe  gastro-intestinal  disorder  or  derangement  of 
the  nervous  system,  or  both.  Sudden  alteration  of  heart  action  in 
relation  to  frequency,  force,  or  rhythm.  Local  irritation,  dyspnoea, 
or  change  in  the  urine  or  urination. 

After  death  lesions  of  the  greatest  variety  may  be  found,  and  it  is 
necessary  for  one  to  be  skilled  in  anatomy  and  pathology  to  determine 
their  significance.  Oftentimes  the  stomach  and  intestines  are  red, 
have  thick  walls,  and  contain  blood.  This  signifies  a  severe  irritant, 
such  as  arsenic  or  corrosive  sublimate.  Other  alterations  sometimes 
found  are  inflammation  of  the  kidneys  or  bladder,  points  of  hemor- 
rhage in  various  organs,  changes  in  the  blood,  congestion  of  the  lungs, 
and  certain  microscopic  changes. 

GENERAL  TREATMENT. 

The  treatment  of  animals  suffering  from  poison  must  vary  accord- 
ing to  the  nature  of  the  toxic  agent.  There  are  a  few  general  plans 
of  action,  however,  which  should  be  followed  so  far  as  possible.  In 
man  and  in  some  of  the  smaller  animals  it  is  possible  to  eliminate 
unabsorbed  poison  by  the  use  of  the  stomach  pump  or  by  causing 
vomiting.  These  proceedings  are  impracticable  in  cattle.  It  is 
well,  therefore,  in  many  cases  to  endeavor  to  expel  the  unabsorbed 
poison  by  emptying  the  digestive  tract,  so  far  as  may  be,  with  a  non- 
irritating  purge.  Castor  oil  in  doses  of  1  pint  to  2  quarts  is  best 
adapted  to  this  purpose.  If  the  poison  is  known  to  be  nonirritant — 
as  a  narcotic  plant — from  10  to  20  drops  of  croton  oil  may  be  given 
with  a  quart  of  castor  oil.  To  protect  the  mucous  membrane  from 
the  action  of  strong  irritants  one  may  give  flaxseed  tea,  barley  water, 
the  whites  of  eggs,  milk,  butter,  olive  oil,  or  fresh  lard.     Chemical 


56  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

antidotes  may  sometimes  be  used  for  special  poisons,  as  advised 
below.  In  general,  if  an  acid  has  been  taken  it  may  be  neutralized 
with  an  alkali,  such  as  chalk,  magnesia,  bicarbonate  of  soda  (baking 
soda),  ammonia  (diluted),  or  soap.  If  the  poison  is  an  alkali,  such 
as  caustic  soda  or  potash  (lye),  or  ammonia,  an  acid,  such  as  diluted 
(1  per  cent)  sulphuric  acid  or  vinegar,  may  be  administered.  Special 
treatments  and  antidotes  are  considered  below. 

A  poisonous  agent  may  be  so  gradually  introduced  into  the  system 
as  to  slowly  develop  the  power  of  resistance  against  its  own  action. 
In  other  cases,  where  the  poison  is  introduced  slowly,  the  poisonous 
action  becomes  cumulative,  and  although  there  is  no  increase  in  the 
quantity  taken,  violent  symptoms  are  suddenly  developed,  as  if  the 
whole  amount,  the  consumption  of  which  may  have  extended  over  a 
considerable  period,  had  been  given  in  one  dose.  Other  agents, 
poisonous  in  their  nature,  tend  to  deteriorate  some  of  the  important 
organs  and,  interfering  with  their  natural  functions,  are  productive  of 
conditions  of  ill  health  which,  although  not  necessarily  fatal,  are 
important.  Such  a  class  might  properly  be  called  chronic  poisons. 
Poisons  of  themselves  dangerous  when  administered  in  large  doses 
are  used  medicinally  for  curative  purposes,  and  a  very  large  percent- 
age of  the  pharmaceutical  preparations  used  in  the  practice  of  medi- 
cine if  given  in  excessive  quantities  might  produce  serious  results. 
In  the  administration  of  medicines,  therefore,  care  should  be  exer- 
cised not  only  that  the  animal  is  not  poisoned  by  the  administration 
of  an  excessive  dose,  but  that  injury  is  not  done  by  continued  treat- 
ment with  medicines  the  administration  of  which  is  not  called  for. 

.    MINERAL   POISONS. 

ARSENIC   POISONING. 

Of  the  common  irritant  and  corrosive  poisons,  arsenic,  especially 
one  of  its  compounds  (Paris  green,  Scheel's  green,  or  cobalt),  is  likely 
to  be  the  most  dangerous  to  our  class  of  patients.  The  common  prac- 
tice of  using  Paris  green  as  an  insecticide  for  the  destruction  of  potato 
beetle  and  other  insect  enemies  of  the  farmer  and  fruit  grower  has 
had  the  effect  of  introducing  it  into  almost  all  farming  establish- 
ments. White  arsenic  is  also  a  principal  ingredient  in  many  of  the 
popular  sheep-dipping  preparations,  and  poisoning  from  this  source 
occasionally  takes  place  when,  after  dipping,  the  flock  are  allowed 
to  run  in  a  yard  in  which  there  is  loose  fodder.  The  drippings  from 
the  wool  of  the  sheep  falling  on  the  fodder  render  it  poisonous,  and 
dangerous  to  animal  life  if  eaten.  Familiarity  with  its  use  has  in 
many  instances  tended  to  breed  contempt  for  its  potency  as  a  poison. 
Rat  poisons  often  contain  arsenic.  The  excessive  use  of  arsenic  as  a 
tonic,  or  of  "condition  powders"  containing  arsenic,  has  been  the 
means  of  poisoning  many  animals.     This  is  the  common  poison  used 


POISONS    AND    POISONING.  57 

by  malicious  persons  with  criminal  intent.  The  poison  may  also  be 
absorbed  through  wounds  or  through  the  skin  if  used  as  a  dip  or  bath. 

If  a  large  dose  is  given,  at  once  acute  poisoning  is  produced;  if 
repeated  small  doses  are  given,  chronic  poisoning  may  result.  The 
poisonous  dose  for  an  ox  is  from  3  drams  to  1  ounce. 

Symptoms. — The  symptoms  of  acute  poisoning  first  appear  as  those 
of  colic;  the  animal  is  restless,  stamping  with  the  feet,  lying  down 
and  getting  up.  There  is  tenderness  on  pressure  over  the  abdomen. 
The  acute  symptoms  increase;  in  a  few  hours  violent  diarrhea  is 
developed;  in  many  cases  blood  and  shreds'  of  detached  mucous 
membrane  are  mixed  with  the  evacuations.  There  is  irregular  and 
feeble  pulse  and  respiration,  and  death  is  likely  to  supervene 
between  the  eighteenth  hour  and  the  third  day.  If  the  latter  period 
is  passed,  there  is  a  reasonable  hope  of  recovery.  . 

In  chronic  poisoning  the  symptoms  are  similar  to  those  of  chronic 
gastro-intestinal  catarrh,  with  indigestion,  diarrhea,  and  general 
weakness  and  loss  of  condition. 

Treatment. — The  antidote  for  arsenic  is  a  solution  of  hydrated 
oxid  of  irbn  in  water.  It  should  be  prepared  fresh  by  mixing  a  solu- 
tion of  sulphate  of  iron,  made  by  dissolving  4  ounces  of  sulphate  of 
iron  in  one-half  pint  water  with  a  suspension  of  1  ounce  of  magnesia 
in  one-half  pint  water.  This  quantity  is  sufficent  for  one  dose  for  a 
cow  and  may  be  repeated  in  an  hour,  if  much  arsenic  was  taken.  A 
solution  of  calcined  magnesia  or  powdered  iron  or  iron  filings  or  iron 
scale  from  a  blacksmith's  forge  may  be  given  in  the  absence  of  other 
remedies.  Powdered  sulphur  is  of  some  value  as  an  antidote.  One 
must  also  administer  protectives,  such  as  linseed  tea,  barley  water, 
whites  of  eggs,  etc. 

LEAD  POISONING. 

Lead  poisoning  of  cattle  usually  comes  from  their  having  licked 
freshly  painted  surfaces,  and  thus  swallowing  compounds  containing 
white  lead.  In  several  instances  cattle  have  been  poisoned  by  silage 
from  a  silo  painted  inside  with  lead  paint  shortly  before  filling. 
Sugar  of  lead  has  been  administered  by  mistake  for  Glauber's  salts. 
Lead  poisoning  may  be  acute  or  chronic.  The  fatal  dose  of  sugar  of 
lead  is  from  1  to  4  ounces.  Water  drawn  from  lead  pipes  or  held  in 
a  lead-lined  tank  may  cause  poisoning. 

Symptoms. — Symptoms  are  generally  dullness,  lying  down  with  the 
head  turned  toward  the  flank,  colic,  rumbling  in  the  abdomen,  loss 
of  control  of  the  limbs  when  walking,  twitching,  champing  of  the 
jaws,  moving  in  a  circle,  convulsions,  delirium,  violent  bellowing,  fol- 
lowed by  stupor  and  death.  The  symptoms  generally  extend  over 
considerable  time,  but  may  end  in  death  after  twenty-four  hours. 

Treatment. — The  treatment  should  first  be  directed  toward  removing 
the  cause.     A  large  dose  of  purgative  medicine  should  be  given,  and 


58  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

the  brain  symptoms  be  relieved  by  giving  bromid  of  potassium  in 
half -ounce  doses  every  four  or  five  hours  and  the  application  of  cold 
water  to  the  head.  Dilute  sulphuric  acid  in  half-ounce  doses  should 
be  given  with  the  purgative  medicine.  In  this  case  sulphate  of  mag- 
nesia (Epsom  salts)  is  the  best  purgative,  and  it  may  be  given  in  doses 
of  from  1  to  2  pounds  dissolved  in  warm  water.  After  the  acute  symp- 
toms have  abated,  iodide  of  potassium  may  be  given,  in  doses  of  2 
drams  each,  three  times  a  day  for  a  week. 

Chronic  lead  poisoning  occasionally  occurs  in  districts  where  lead 
mining  is  the  principal  industry.  The  waste  products  of  the  mine 
thrown  into  streams  contaminate  the  water  supply,  so  that  the  min- 
eral is  taken  into  the  system  gradually,  and  a  very  small  per  cent  of 
any  of  the  salts  taken  into  the  system  in  this  way  is  pernicious. 
Water  which  contains  any  salt  of  lead  to  the  extent  of  more  than  one- 
tenth  of  a  grain  to  the  gallon  is  unfit  to  drink.  Such  water  when 
used  continually  is  likely  to  produce  colic  from  the  resulting  intesti- 
nal irritation,  and  in  aggravated  cases  paralysis  more  or  less  severe 
is  likely  to  be  developed.  A  blue  line  on  the  margin  of  the  gums, 
the  last  symptom,  is  regarded  as  diagnostic  and  its  presence  as  con- 
clusive evidence  of  the  nature  of  the  disorder.  The  free  use  of  pur- 
gatives is  indicated  with  iodid  of  potassium. 

Treatment. — No  treatment  is  likely  to  be  of  avail  until  the  cause  is 
removed. 

COPPER  POISONING. 

The  soluble  salts  of  copper,  though  used  as  a  tonic  in  the  medicinal 
treatment  of  cattle,  are  poisonous  when  taken  in  large  quantities. 
Like  lead  and  arsenic,  they  have  an  irritant  effect  upon  the  mucous 
membrane  with  which  they  come  in  contact  in  a  concentrated  form. 
Cattle  are  not  very  likely  to  be  poisoned  from  this  cause  unless 
through  carelessness.  The  salts  of  copper — the  most  common  of 
which  is  the  sulphate  of  copper,  commonly  called  blue  vitriol — is 
occasionally  used  for  disinfecting  and  cleansing  stables,  where  it 
might  inadvertently  be  mixed  with  the  food.  It  is  also  used  largely 
for  making  the  Bordeaux  mixture  used  in  spraying  fruit  trees.  The 
general  symptoms  produced  are  those  of  intestinal  irritation,  short 
breathing,  stamping,  and  tender  abdomen. 

Treatment. — Give  powdered  iron,  or  iron  reduced  by  hydrogen,  or 
calcined  magnesia.  Sulphur  may  be  used.  This  should  be  followed 
by  a  liberal  supply  of  demulcents,  linseed  infusion,  boiled  starch, 
whites  of  eggs,  etc. 

ZINC  POISONING. 

Several  of  the  soluble  salts  of  zinc  are  irritant  poisons.  The  chlorid 
and  sulphate  are  those  in  most  common  use.  In  animals  which  have 
power  to  vomit  they  are  emetic  in  their  action.  In  others,  when 
retained  in  the  stomach,  they  set  up  more  or  less  irritation  of  the 


POISONS    AND    POISONING.  59 

mucous  membrane  and  abdominal  pain,  producing  symptoms  already 
described  in  the  action  of  other  poisons  which  produce  the  same  result. 
Treatment. — The  treatment  should  be  the  same  as  for  copper  poi- 
soning. 

PHOSPHORUS   POISONING. 

Only  one  of  the  forms  of  phosphorus  in  common  use — the  ordinary 
yellow — is  poisonous.  Phosphorus  in  this  form  is  used  for  the  destruc- 
tion of  rats  and  mice  and  other  vermin,  and  is  largely  used  in  the 
manufacture  of  matches. 

Symptoms. — The  symptoms  are  loss  of  appetite,  colic,  diarrhea, 
irritation  of  the  mouth  and  throat,  and  paralysis  of  the  throat.  There 
is  also  weakness,  difficult  breathing,  and  rapid  pulse.  The  course  of 
the  poisoning  is  usually  rapid,  terminating  in  either  recovery  or  death 
within  three  days.  The  toxic  dose  for  cattle  is  from  5  to  30  grains. 
If  taken  in  large  quantities,  the  excreta  are  occasionally  noticed  to  be 
luminous  when  examined  in  the  dark. 

Treatment. — Turpentine  given  in  an  emulsion  with  flaxseed  tea  in 
a  single  dose  of  from  2  to  8  ounces.  Permanganate  of  potash  may  be 
given  in  a  one-fourth  of  1  per  per  cent  solution.  Stimulants,  such  as 
alcohol  and  ether,  should  be  administered.  Oils  and  milk  must  not 
be  given. 

MERCURY   POISONING. 

Mercury  poisoning  is  not  rare  in  cattle  from  the  fact  that  these  ani- 
mals have  a  special  susceptibility  to  the  action  of  this  substance. 
Antiseptic  washes  or  injections  containing  the  bichloride  of  mercury 
(corrosive  sublimate)  must  be  used  on  cattle  with  great  care.  Mer- 
curial disinfecting  solutions  or  salves  must  be  used  cautiously.  Cal- 
omel can  not  be  given  freely  to  cattle. 

Symptoms. — The  symptoms  are  salivation,  sore  mouth,  indigestion, 
diarrhea,  skin  eruption,  paralysis  of  local  groups  of  muscles,  and 
nephritis. 

Treatment. — The  treatment  consists  in  administering  sulphur  in 
large  doses  (2  to  4  ounces)  or  iron  powder.  Both  make  insoluble  com- 
pounds with  mercury.  Follow  with  the  whites  of  eggs  mixed  with 
water  and  with  linseed  tea.  If  the  case  does  not  terminate  promptly, 
give  iodid  of  potash  in  1  dram  doses  twice  daily. 

POISONING  BY   ACIDS. 

Mineral  acids. — The  mineral  acids — nitric,  sulphuric,  hydrochlo- 
ric, etc. — when  used  in  a  concentrated  form,  destroy  the  animal  tissues 
with  which  they  come  in  contact,  and  in  this  respect  differ  from  most 
of  the  poisons  previously  described.  When  taken  into  the  stomach 
the  mucous  membrane  of  the  mouth,  pharynx,  esophagus,  and  stom- 
ach is  apt  to  be  more  or  less  completely  destroyed.     If  taken  in  large 


60  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

quantities  death  is  likely  to  result  so  speedily  that  nothing  can  be  done 
to  relieve  the  patient,  and  even  if  time  is  allowed  and  the  action  of 
the  acid  can  be  arrested  it  can  not  be  done  until  considerable  and, 
perhaps,  irreparable  damage  has  been  done.  The  mucous  membrane 
with  which  the  acid  has  come  in  contact  in  the  esophagus  may  be 
destroyed  by  its  corrosive  action  and  carried  away,  leaving  the  mus- 
cular tissues  exposed.  The  raw  surface  heals  irregularly,  the  cica- 
trice contracting  causes  stricture,  and  an  animal  so  injured  is  likely 
to  die  of  starvation.  In  the  stomach  even  greater  damage  is  likely  to 
be  done.  The  .peristaltic  action  of  the  esophagus  carries  the  irritant 
along  quickly,  but  here  it  remains  quiet  in  contact  with  one  surface, 
destroying  it.  It  is  likely  to  perforate  the  organ,  and  coming  in 
contact  with  the  abdominal  lining  or  other  organ  of  digestion  soon 
sets  up  a  condition  that  is  bej^ond  repair.  In  a  less  concentrated 
form,  when  the  acid  is  not  sufficiently  strong  to  be  corrosive,  it  exerts 
an  irritant  effect.  In  this  form  it  may  not  do  much  harm  unless  taken 
in  considerable  quantity.  When  it  is,  the  mucous  membrane  of  the 
stomach  and  intestines  becomes  inflamed;  pain  and  diarrhea  are 
likely  to  result. 

Treatment. — Any  of  the  alkalies  may  be  used  as  an  antidote.  Most 
convenient  of  these  are  chalk,  baking  soda,  marble  dust,  magnesia, 
lime,  soap,  or  plaster  from  a  wall.  Mucilaginous  drinks  should  be 
given  in  large  quantities. 

Vegetable  acids. — Oxalic  acid  in  particular  is  corrosive  in  its 
action  when  taken  in  concentrated  solution,  losing  its  corrosive  effect 
and  becoming  irritant  when  more  dilute.  It  also  exerts  a  specific 
effect  on  the  heart,  frequently  causing  death  from  syncope.  Taken 
in  the  form  either  of  the  crystals  or  solution,  it  is  likely  to  cause  death 
in  a  very  short  time.  Failure  of  heart  action  and  attendant  small 
pulse,  weakness,  staggering,  and  convulsions  are  the  more  noticeable 
symptoms. 

Treatment. — Lime  water  or  lime  or  plaster  should  be  given  promptly. 
Acetic  acid  is  irritant  to  the  gastro-intestinal  tract,  and  may  cause 
sudden  paralysis  of  the  heart.  It  should  be  counteracted  by  the  use 
of  alkalies,  as  advised  above,  by  protectives  to  the  digestive  tract,  and 
b}7  stimulants. 

POISONING   BY  ALKALIES. 

The  carbonates  of  potash  and  soda  and  the  alkalies  themselves  in 
concentrated  form  cause  symptoms  of  intestinal  irritation  similar  to 
those  produced  by  mineral  acids.  Ammonia,  caustic  soda,  and  caus- 
tic potash  (lye)  are  those  to  which  animals  are  most  exposed.  The 
degree  of  their  caustic  irritant  effects  depends  on  their  degree  of  con- 
centration. When  they  reach  the  stomach  the  symptoms  are  nearly 
as  well  marked  as  in  the  case  of  the  acids.  The  irritation  is  even  more 
noticeable,  and  purgation  is  likely  to  be  a  more  prominent  symptom. 


POISONS    AND    POISONING.  61 

If  death  is  not  caused  soon,  the  irritation  of  the  gastro-intestinal  tract 
and  malnutrition  will  last  for  a  long  time.  Treatment  consists  in 
neutralizing  the  alkali  by  an  acid,  such  as  dilute  sulphuric  acid  (1 
per  cent)  or  strong  vinegar.  The  administration  of  such  an  antidote 
and  its  action  must  be  carefully  watched  during  administration.  In 
the  chemical  change  which  takes  place  when  the  acid  and  alkali  are 
combined,  carbonic-acid  gas  is  liberated,  which  may  be  to  an  extent 
sufficient  to  cause  considerable  distention  of  the  abdomen,  even  to 
asphyxia  from  pressure  forward  on  the  diaphragm.  Should  this  dan- 
ger present  itself,  it  may  be  averted  by  opening  the  left  flank,  permit- 
ting the  gas  to  escape.  (See  "Acute  tympanites,  or  Bloating,"  p.  24.) 
Treatment. — Flaxseed  or  slippery-elm  decoction  must  be  given  to 
soothe  the  inflamed  mucous  surface.  Opium  may  be  used  to  allay 
pain. 

COAL-OIL   POISONING. 

Coal  oil  is  sometimes  administered  empirically  as  a  treatment  for 
intestinal  parasites.  If  given  in  large  doses  it  produces  poisonous 
effects,  which  are  likely  to  be  manifest  some  time  after  the  adminis- 
tration. It  acts  as  an  irritant  to  the  digestive  tract,  causing  dribbling 
of  ropy  saliva  from  the  mouth,  diarrhea,  tenesmus,  and  loss  of  appe- 
tite, with  increased  temperature  and  cold  extremities.  Visible  mucous 
membranes  are  injected,  pupils  of  the  eyes  contracted,  watery  dis- 
charge from  the  eyes  and  nostrils.  Remotely  it  exerts  a  depressing 
influence  on  the  functions  of  the  brain  and  slight  coma,  and  occasion- 
ally convulsions,  from  which  the  animal  is  easily  aroused.  The 
kidneys  also  suffer.  The  urine  is  dark  colored  and  has  the  charac- 
teristic odor  of  coal  oil.  Death  may  result  from  gastro-enteritis  or 
convulsions. 

Treatment. — The  patient's  strength  should  be  fostered  by  the  fre- 
quent administration  of  mild  stimulants,  of  which  aromatic  spirits  of 
ammonia  is  perhaps  the  best.  The  animal  should  be  encouraged  to 
eat  soft  food  and  given  mucilaginous  drinks. 

Crude  coal  oil  is  sometimes  applied  to  the  skin  to  kill  parasites.  If 
too  much  is  used,  especially  in  hot  weather,  great  weakness  and  depres- 
sion may  be  caused  and  in  some  cases  death  may  result. 

CARBOLIC-ACID   POISONING. 

Although  one  of  the  most  valuable  antiseptic  remedies,  carbolic  acid 
in  a  concentrated  form,  when  taken  internally  or  used  over  a  large 
surface  externally,  is  likely  to  produce  poisonous  effects.  It  causes 
whitening,  shrinking,  and  numbness  of  the  structures  with  which  it 
comes  in  contact,  and,  besides  its  irritant  effect,  exerts  a  powerful 
influence  on  the  nervous  system.  Being  readily  absorbed,  it  produces 
its  effect  whether  swallowed,  injected  into  the  rectum,  inhaled,  or 
applied  to  wounds,  or  even  to  a  large  tract  of  unbroken  skin.     Used 


62  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

extensively  as  a  dressing,  it  may  produce  nausea,  dizziness,  and  smoky 
or  blackish  colored  urine.  The  last  symptom  is  nearly  always  notice- 
able where  the  poisonous  effect  is  produced.  In  more  concentrated 
form,  or  used  in  larger  quantities,  convulsions,  followed  by  fatal  coma, 
are  likely  to  take  place.  Even  in  smaller  quantities,  dullness,  trem- 
bling, and  disinclination  for  food  often  continues  for  several  days. 
In  a  tolerably  concentrated  solution  it  coagulates  albumen  and  acts 
as  an  astringent. 

Treatment. — As  an  antidote  internally,  a  solution  of  sulphate  of 
soda  or  sulphate  of  magnesia  (Glauber's  or  Epsom  salts)  may  be  given. 
The  white  of  egg  is  also  useful.  Stimulants  may  be  given  if  needed. 
When  the  poisoning  occurs  through  too  extensive  applications  to 
wounds  or  the  skin,  as  in  treatment  of  mange,  cold  water  should  be 
freely  applied  so  as  to  wash  off  any  of  the  acid  that  may  still  remain 
unabsorbed.  As  a  surgical  dressing  a  3  per  cent  solution  is  strong 
enough  for  ordinary  purposes.  Water  will  not  hold  more  than  5  per 
cent  in  permanent  solution.  No  preparation  stronger  than  the  satu- 
rated solution  should  be  used  medicinally  under  any  circumstances. 

SALTPETER  POISONING. 

Both  nitrate  of  soda  and  nitrate  of  potash  are  poisonous  to  cattle. 
These  substances  are  used  for  manure  and  for  preserving  meats. 
They  may  be  administered  in  a  drench  by  error  in  place  of  Glauber's 
salts,  or  they  may  be  exposed  within  reach  of  cattle  and  thus  be  eaten. 
The  toxic  dose  depends  upon  the  condition  of  fullness  of  the  stomach. 
If  in  solution  and  given  on  an  empty  stomach,  as  little  as  3  ounces  of 
saltpeter  (nitrate  of  potash)  may  be  fatal  to  a  cow.  More  of  the  Chile 
saltpeter  (nitrate  of  soda)  is  required  to  cause  serious  trouble. 

Symptoms. — Severe  gastro-enteritis,  colic*  tympanites,  diarrhea, 
excessive  urination,  weakness,  trembling,  convulsions,  collapse. 

Treatment. — Same  as  for  poisoning  by  common  salt. 

POISONING   BY   COMMON   SALT. 

A  few  pounds  (3  to  5)  of  common  salt  will  produce  well-marked 
signs  of  poisoning  in  cattle.  So  much  salt  as  this  will  not  be  taken 
by  cattle  except  under  unusual  conditions.  If  the  food  is  poor  in 
salt,  and  if  none  has  been  given  for  a  long  time,  an  intense  "  salt  hun- 
ger" may  occur  that  may  lead  an  animal  to  eat  a  poisonous  quantity 
if  it  is  not  restricted;  or  an  overdose  of  salt  may  be  given  by  error  as 
a  drench. 

Herring  and  mackerel  brine  and  pork  pickle  are  also  poisonous,  and 
are  especially  dangerous  for  hogs.  In  these  substances  there  are,  in 
addition  to  salt,  certain  products  extracted  from  the  fish  or  meat 
which  undergo  change  and  add  to  the  toxicity  of  the  solution.  Some- 
times saltpeter  is  present  in  such  brines. 


POISONS    AND    POISONING.  63 

Symptoms. — The  symptoms  are  great  thirst,  abdominal  pain,  diar- 
rhea, poor  appetite,  redness  and  dryness  of  the  mouth,  increased  uri- 
nation, paralysis  of  the  hind  legs,  weak  pulse,  general  paralysis,  coma, 
and  death  in  from  six  to  eight  hours. 

Treatment. — Allow  as  much  warm  water  as  the  animal  will  drink. 
Give  protectives,  such  as  linseed  tea,  etc.  Linseed  or  olive  oil  may 
be  given.  To  keep  up  the  heart  action  give  ether,  alcohol,  camphor, 
digitalis,  or  coffee.     To  allay  pain,  give  opium. 

VEGETABLE   POISONS. 

These  may  be  divided  into  two  classes — those  that  are  likely  to  be 
administered  to  the  animal  as  medicine  or  such  as  may  be  taken  in 
the  food,  either  in  the  shape  of  poisonous  plants,  or  as  plants  or  foods 
of  vegetable  origin  that  have  been  damaged  by  fungi  or  by  bacterial 
action,  producing  fermentation  or  putrefaction. 

VEGETABLE   POISONS   USED   AS   MEDICINE. 
OPIUM  POISONING. 

Opium  and  its  alkaloid,  morphia,  are  so  commonly  used  in  the 
practice  of  medicine  that  the  poisonous  result  of  an  overdose  is  not 
uncommon.  The  common  preparations  are  gum  opium,  the  inspis- 
sated juice  of  the  poppy;  powdered  opium,  made  from  the  gum; 
tincture  of  opium,  commonly  called  laudanum,  and  the  alkaloid  or 
active  principle,  morphia.  Laudanum  has  about  one-eighth  the 
strength  of  the  gum  or  powder.  Morphia  is  present  in  good  opium 
to  the  extent  of  about  10  per  cent.  In  medicine  it  is  a  most  useful 
agent  in  allaying  pain.  It  has  an  effect  of  first  producing  a  stimulat- 
ing action,  which  is  followed  by  drowsiness,  a  disposition  to  sleep  or 
complete  anesthesia,  depending  on  the  quantity  of  the  drug  used. 
In  poisonous  doses  a  state  of  exhilaration  is  well  marked  at  first. 
This  is  particularly  noticeable  in  cattle  and  in  horses.  The  animal 
becomes  much  excited,  and  this  stage  does  not  pass  into  insensibility 
unless  an  enormous  dose  has  been  given.  If  the  dose  is  large  enough, 
a  second  stage  sometimes  supervenes,  in  which  the  symptoms  are 
those  of  congestion  of  the  brain.  The  visible  membranes  have  a  blu- 
ish tint  (cyanotic)  from  interference  with  the  air  supply.  The  breath- 
ing is  slow,  labored,  and  later  stertorous;  the  pupils  of  the  eyes  are 
very  much  contracted;  the  skin  dry  and  warm.  Gas  accumulates  in 
the  stomach,  so  that  tympanites  is  a  prominent  symptom.  The 
patient  may  be  aroused  by  great  noise  or  the  infliction  of  sharp  pain, 
when  the  breathing  becomes  more  natural.  A  relapse  into  the  coma- 
tose condition  takes  place  when  the  excitement  ceases.  Later,  there 
is  perfect  coma  and  the  patient  can  no  longer  be  aroused  from  the 
insensible  condition.  The  contraction  of  the  pupil  becomes  more 
marked,  the  breathing  intermittent  and  slower,  there  is  perspiration, 


64  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

the  pulse  more  feeble  and  rapid,  till  death  takes  place.  Poisoning  of 
cattle  with  opium  or  its  products  rarely  goes  beyond  the  stage  of 
excitement,  because  the  quantity  of  the  drug  required  for  the  later 
effects  is  so  great.  Seventy-five  grains  of  morphia  administered  sub- 
cutaneously  has  sufficed  merely  to  excite  for  twelve  hours. 

Treatment. — Give  strong  coffee,  1  to  4  quarts,  aromatic  spirits  of 
ammonia  or  carbonate  of  ammonia.  Atropia  is  the  physiological 
antidote. 

STRYCHNINE   POISONING. 

Strychnine  is  a  vory  concentrated  poison  and  produces  its  effect 
very  quickly,  usually  only  a  few  minutes  being  necessary  if  given  iu 
sufficient  dose  and  in  such  a  way  that  it  will  be  at  once  absorbed. 
The  first  noticeable  symptom  is  evidence  of  unrest  or  mental  excite- 
ment, at  the  same  time  the  muscles  over  the  shoulder  and  croup  may 
be  seen  to  quiver  or  twitch  and  later  there  occurs  a  more  or  less  well- 
marked  convulsion;  the  head  is  jerked  back,  the  back  arched  and 
leg  extended,  the  eyes  drawn.  The  spasm  continues  for  only  a  few 
minutes-,  when  it  relaxes  and  another  occurs  in  a  short  time.  The 
return  is  hastened  by  excitement  and  in  a  short  time  again  disap- 
pears, continuing  to  disappear  and  reappear  until  death  results.  As 
the  poisonous  effect  advances  the  intervals  between  the  spasms 
become  shorter  and  less  marked  and  the  spasms  more  severe  until 
the  animal  dies  in  violent  struggles. 

Treatment. — The  best  method  is  to  put  the  patient  under  the  influ- 
ence of  chloral,  chloroform,  or  ether,  and  keep  it  there  continuously 
until  the  effect  of  the  poison  has  passed  off.  Alcohol  may  be  given 
in  large  doses. 

ACONITE   POISONING. 

In  recent  years  tincture  of  aconite  has  for  some  unknown  reason 
become  a  popular  stable  remedy.  In  the  hands  of  some  breeders  it 
seems  to  be  used  as  a  panacea  for  all  the  ills  flesh  is  heir  to.  If  an 
animal  is  ailing,  aconite  is  given  whether  indicated  or  not.  Fortu- 
nately the  dose  used  is  generally  small,  and  for  this  reason  the  dam- 
age done  is  much  less  than  it  would  otherwise  be.  Aconite  is  one  of 
the  most  deadly  poisons  known.  It  produces  paralysis  of  motion  and 
sensation,  depresses  the  heart's  action,  and  causes  death  by  paralysis 
of  respiration.  In  large  doses  it  causes  profuse  salivation,  champing 
of  the  jaws,  and  attempts  at  swallowing.  If  not  sufficient  to  cause 
death,  there  is  impaired  appetite  with  more  or  less  nausea  for  some 
time  after.  In  poisonous  doses  it  causes  the  animal  to  tremble  vio- 
lently, to  lose  power  to  support  itself,  and  it  brings  on  slight  con- 
vulsions, with  perspiration.  The  pulse  is  depressed,  irregular,  and 
afterwards  intermittent. 

Treatment. — The  chemical  antidote  is  tannic  acid,  which  forms  an 
insoluble  compound  with  the  aconitin.     The  depressing  effect  on  the 


POISONS    AND   POISONING.  65 

heart  should  be  counteracted  by  the  use  of  ammonia,  digitalis,  alcohol, 
camphor,  or  other  diffusible  stimulants,  which  have  a  physiological 
effect  opposite  to  aconite. 

TURPENTINE  POISONING. 

Many  conifers,  but  especially  some  species  of  pines,  contain  tur- 
pentine. In  the  winter  and  early  spring  the  ends  of  the  branches  of 
such  trees  may  be  eaten  by  cattle.  If  a  sufficient  quantity  is  con- 
sumed, poisoning  may  result. 

Symptoms. — The  symptoms  signify  more  or  less  severe  irritation  of 
the  digestive  and  urinary  tracts.  There  is  poor  appetite,  abdominal 
pain,  emaciation,  dark  urine,  which  may  contain  blood,  difficulty  in 
passing  urine,  constrained  attitude,  and  sensitiveness  to  pressure 
over  the  loins.  Later  there  may  be  excitation  followed  by  depression 
of  the  nervous  system. 

Treatment — Change  food.  Give  linseed  tea,  barley  gruel,  or  slip- 
pery-elm bark  infusion.  For  the  excitement  give  chloral  hydrate  or 
bromid  of  potash. 

DIETETIC  POISONS. 

A  small  but  important  group  of  poisons  may  be  classed  under  this 
head.  In  some  cases  it  is  poison  naturally  belonging  to  the  plant;  in 
other  cases  the  poisonous  principle  is  developed  in  what  would  other- 
wise be  harmless  plants  as  a  plant  disease,  or  as  a  fermentation  or 
putrefaction  due  to  bacterial  growth  and  observed  in  forage,  grain,  or 
meal  that  has  heated,  become  damaged,  or  "spoilt." 

Loco  weed  poisoning. — The  "  loco  weed  "  is  a  term  applied  to  legu- 
minous plants  of  several  genera,  all  of  which  are  supposed  to  have 
certain  similar  effects  on  horses  and  cattle.  It  is  found  on  the  Plains 
and  in  the  natural  pastures  of  some  of  our  Western  States  and  Terri- 
tories. The  plant  grows  on  high,  gravelly,  or  sandy  soil.  It  has  a 
rather  attractive  appearance,  and  retains  its  soft,  pale  green  color  all 
winter.  Of  one  of  the  most  common  species  (AstragaUus  moMissimiis) 
it  may  be  said  that  a  mass  of  leaves  4  to  10  inches  high  grow  from  the 
very  short  stem.  The  leaves  are  rjinnate,  similar  in  form  to  those  of 
a  locust  tree,  with  ten  pairs  of  leaflets  and  an  odd  terminal  one.  The 
flower  scape  grows  from  the  center  of  the  plant.  The  flowers,  shaped 
like  pea  blossoms,  appear  in  June  or  July,  and  are  yellow  tinted  with 
violet.  The  seeds  are  contained  in  a  pod  about  half  an  inch  long. 
It  is  said  that  a  stalk-boring  larva  has  attacked  the  plant  and  seems 
to  be  doing  much  toward  eradicating  it. 

Horses  and  cattle  seem  to  acquire  a  taste  for  loco  weeds,  although 
it  is  not  a  plant  that  would  be  considered  as  a  food  or  that  would  be 
eaten  with  a  relish  the  first  time.  In  the  early  spring,  when  herbage 
is  scarce,  its  green  appearance  may  attract  the  animal,  and  the  habit 
of  eating  it  be  thus  acquired.     Its  effect  is  not  noticeable  till  a  con- 

61386—08 5 


66  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

siderable  quantity  has  been  eaten.  It  seems  to  exert  its  influence  on 
the  nervous  system.  The  gait  is  slow  and  measured,  the  step  high, 
the  eyes  glassy  and  staring,  the  vision  defective.  Sudden  excitement 
will  frequently  produce  convulsions,  which,  if  the  disease  is  well 
advanced,  have  a  temporarily  prostrating  effect  upon  the  animal. 
Although  loco  poisoning  is  a  nervous  affection,  emaciation  is  one  of 
the  most  noticeable  symptoms.  The  taste  for  the  weed  becomes 
stronger,  the  victim  preferring  it  to  other  food.  When  it  is  taken  in 
large  quantities  delirium  is  produced  and  the  animal  becomes  vicious. 
If  the  cause  be  removed  before  too  much  injury  is  done,  recovery  is 
likely  to  take  place. 

Treatment. — Medicinal  treatment  seems  to  be  of  little  avail.  Com- 
fortable stabling,  quiet,  and  a  liberal  supply  of  wholesome  food  tend  to 
counteract  the  poisonous  effect  of  the  plant  and  build  up  the  depleted 
forces. 

Laurel  poisoning. — The  mountain  laurel,  the  rhododendron,  and 
the  bay  tree  are  poisonous  for  cattle.  The  foliage  of  these  plants  is 
most  likely  to  be  eaten  in  the  late  winter  or  spring,  when  there  is 
little  forage  available.  The  effect  is  to  cause  great  mental  excite- 
ment, salivation,  retching,  colic,  diarrhea,  nerve  exhaustion,  and 
paralysis. 

Treatment. — The  treatment  consists  in  administering  protectives  to 
soothe  the  gastro-intestinal  mucous  membrane,  and  stimulants  to  keep 
up  the  action  of  the  heart  and  general  strength.  For  this  purpose 
one  may  use  coffee,  whisky,  or  ammonia. 

Other  poisonous  plants. — Other  poisonous  plants  are  the  box, 
water  hemlock,  equisetum,  lupine  (under  special  conditions),  tobacco, 
green  acorns  (when  eaten  in  excessive  quantities  by  horses  or  cattle), 
green  sorghum  and  Kafir  corn  forage  (when  stuuted  or  frosted),  lily 
of  the  valley,  aconite,  oleander,  jimson  weed,  green  potatoes  and 
potato  sprouts,  and  poison  rye  grass  (Lolium  temulentum). 

Ergotism. — The  poisonous  effects  of  ergot  (Pis.  V,  VI)  appear 
chiefly  in  the  winter  and  spring  of  the  year  and  among  cattle.  It  is 
developed  among  grasses  grown  on  rich  soil  in  hot,  damp  seasons. 
Rye  seems  more  liable  to  ergot  than  any  of  our  other  crops.  Of  the 
grasses  which  enter  into  the  composition  of  hay,  bluegrass  is  the 
most  likely  to  become  affected.  Ergot  may  also  affect  redtop,  oats, 
grasses,  and  grains.  On  the  plant  the  fungus  manifests  itself  on 
the  seeds,  where  it  is  easily  recognized  when  the  hay  is  examined  in 
the  mow.  The  ergotized  seeds  are  several  times  larger  than  the 
natural  seeds — hard,  black,  and  generally  curved  in  shape. 

The  effect  of  the  protracted  use  of  ergot  in  the  food  is  pretty  well 
understood  to  be  that  of  producing  a  degeneration  and  obstruction  of , 
the  smaller  arterial  branches.     The  result  is  to  shut  off  the  blood  sup- 
ply to  the  distal  parts  of  the  body,  where  the  circulation  is  weakest, 
and  thus  to  produce  a  mummification  or  dry  gangrene  of  the  extrem- 


POISONS    AND    POISONING.  67 

ities,  as  the  ears,  tail,  feet,  etc.  Cattle  seem  to  be  more  susceptible 
than  other  animals  to  the  influence  of  ergot,  possibly  on  account  of 
the  slowness  of  the  heart's  action.  When  the  effect  of  the  poison  has 
become  sufficient  to  entirely  arrest  the  circulation  in  any  part,  the 
structures  soon  die.  The  disorder  manifests  itself  as  lameness  in  one 
or  more  limbs;  swelling  about  the  ankle  which  may  result  in  only  a 
small  slough  or  the  loss  of  a  toe,  but  it  may  circumscribe  the  limb  at 
any  point  below  the  knee  or  hock  by  an  indented  ring,  below  which 
the  tissues  become  dead.  The  indentation  soon  changes  to  a  crack, 
which,  like  it,  extends  completely  round  the  limb,  forming  the  line 
of  separation  between  the  dead  and  living  structures.  The  crack 
deepens  till  the  parts  below  drop  off  without  loss  of  blood,  and  fre- 
quently with  very  little  pus.  Ergot  may  cause  serious  irritation  of 
the  digestive  tract,  or  by  acting  upon  the  nervous  system  it  may  cause 
lethargy  or  paralysis.  It  also  operates  to  cause  contraction  of  the 
uterus,  and  may  thus  cause  abortion. 

Treatment. — Regarding  the  treatment,  change  of  food  and  local 
antiseptics  are,  of  course,  indicated.  The  former  may  be  useful  as  a 
preventive,  but  when  the  symptoms  have  appeared  the  animal  is  nec- 
essarily so  completely  saturated  that  recovery  is  likely  to  be  tedious. 
Tannin  may  be  given  internally  in  doses  of  one-half  dram  twice  daily 
for  a  few  days  to  neutralize  the  unabsorbed  alkaloids  of  the  ergot. 
At  the  same  time  give  castor  oil.  To  dilate  the  blood  vessels  give 
chloral  hydrate.  Bathe  the  affected  parts  with  hot  water.  If  slough- 
ing has  gone  far,  amputation  must  be  resorted  to. 

OTHER  POISONOUS   FUNGI. 

Many  other  fungi  poison  herbivora.  In  some  instances,  however, 
where  fungi  are  blamed  for  causing  disease  their  presence  on  the  food- 
stuff or  herbage  is  but  coincidental  with  some  other  and  more  potent 
disease-producing  factor.  For  example,  if  the  conditions  are  favor- 
able to  the  growth  of  fungi  they  are  also  favorable  to  the  growth  of 
bacteria,  and  bacteria  may  produce  poisons  in  foods.  In  general  it 
may  be  said  that  any  food  that  is  moldy,  musty,  or  putrid  is  possibly 
dangerous.  Silage,  properly  cured,  does  not  belong  to  this  class, 
because  the  curing  of  silage  is  not  a  bacterial  process.  But  spoiled 
silage  and  silage  matted  with  mold  is  dangerous  and  should  not  be  fed. 

POISONING  BY   ANIMAL   PRODUCTS. 
SNAKE   BITES. 

The  poison  contained  in  the  tooth  glands  of  certain  venomous  rep- 
tiles, particularly  some  of  the  snakes,  which  is  injected  into  or  under 
the  skin  of  an  animal  bitten  by  the  reptile,  is  a  very  powerful  agent. 
It  is  likely  to  produce  a  serious  local  irritation,  and  in  the  case  of  the 
more  poisonous  snakes  serious  constitutional  disturbances,  even  to 


68  DISEASES    OF   CATTLE. 

causing  death,  which  it  may  do  in  either  of  two  ways.  First,  when 
very  strong,  by  exerting  a  narcotic  influence  similar  to  that  of  some  of 
the  powerful  poisons,  checking  heart  action.  Second,  by  diffused 
inflammation  of  the  areolar  tissue,  gangrene,  and  extensive  sloughing. 

Symptoms. — The  symptoms  of  snake  bite  are  a  local  swelling  caused 
by  an  intense  local  inflammation,  pricks  showing  where  the  fangs  pene- 
trated, depression,  weakness,  feeble  pulse,  difficult  breathing,  bluish 
discoloration  of  the  visible  mucous  membranes,  stupor,  or  convulsions. 
If  the  poison  is  not  powerful  or  plentiful  enough  to  produce  death,  it 
is,  at  any  rate,  likely  to  cause  severe  local  abscesses  or  sloughs. 

Treatment. — The  treatment  may  be  divided  into  local  and  general. 
Locally  every  effort  should  be  made  to  prevent  absorption  of  the 
poison.  If  discovered  at  once  the  bitten  part  had  better  be  excised.  If 
that  is  impracticable  and  a  ligature  can  be  applied,  as  in  the  case  of 
a  bite  to  one  of  the  limbs,  no  time  should  be  lost  in  applying  it  above 
the  injury.  It  should  be  made  sufficiently  tight  to  so  far  as  possible 
arrest  circulation  in  the  bitten  part.  The  wound  should  be  freely 
incised,  so  that  it  will  bleed  freely,  and  the  poison  should  be  extracted 
by  cupping  or  pressed  out  by  squeezing  with  the  fingers.  Perman- 
ganate of  potash  in  5  per  cent  solution  should  be  applied  to  and 
injected  into  the  wound.  The  depressing  effect  of  the  poison  on  the 
general  system  should  be  counteracted  by  liberal  drenching  with 
stimulants,  such  as  alcohol,  coffee,  digitalis,  or  the  aromatic  spirits 
or  carbonate  of  ammonia.  In  animal  practice  the  alcoholic  stimu- 
lants and  local  treatment  above  described  are  likely  to  meet  with  best 
success.  A  special  antitoxin  for  use  in  treating  snake  bite  is  now 
prepared  and  may  be  had  from  the  leading  druggists.  It  is  quite 
effective  if  used  promptly. 

WASP  AND  BEE  STINGS. 

Wasps  and  bees  secrete  a  poisonous  substance  which  they  are  able 
to  insert  through  the  skin  of  an  animal  by  the  aid  of  their  sharp 
stings.  This  poison  is  a  severe  local  irritant,  and  may  even  cause 
local  gangrene.  It  also  has  a  depressing  effect  upon  the  central  nerv- 
ous system,  and  destroys  the  red-blood  corpuscles.  To  produce  these 
general  effects  it  must  be  introduced  in  very  large  quantities,  as  when 
an  animal  is  stung  b}r  a  swarm  of  bees  or  wasps. 

Treatment. — The  treatment  is  to  wash  the  parts  with  diluted  ammo- 
nia or  permanganate  of  potash  solution  and  to  give  stimulants  inter- 
nally. If  there  is  so  much  swelling  about  the  head  and  nostrils  as  to 
interfere  with  breathing,  tracheotomy  may  be  necessary. 

POISONING  BY  INSECTS  ON  THE   FORAGE. 

Cattle  grazing  on  forage  heavily  infested  with  caterpillars  have 
been  known  to  develop  acute  indigestion,  colic,  and,  in  a  few  cases, 


POISONS    AND   POISONING.  69 

to  die  as  a  result  of  this  poisoning.  Plant  lice  cause  irritation  of  the 
mouth  and.  throat  if  eaten  in  large  numbers.  Some  insects  secrete  a 
chemical  poison  which,  taken  in  this  way,  causes  serious  digestive 
disturbance. 

POISONING   WITH  SPANISH   FLY. 

Spanish  fly,  in  the  form  of  powdered  cantharides,  may  be  given  in 
an  overdose,  or  when  applied  as  a  blister  to  too  large  a  surface  of 
skin  enough  may  be  absorbed  to  poison.  If  given  by  the  mouth  it 
causes  severe  irritation  of  the  gastro-intestinal  tract,  shown  by  sali- 
vation, sore  throat,  colic,  bloody  diarrhea,  etc.  It  also  produces, 
whether  given  by  the  mouth  or  absorbed  through  the  skin,  irritation 
of  the  urinary  tract,  as  shown  by  frequent  and  painful  urination.  If 
death  results,  it  is  due  to  respiratory  paralysis. 

Treatment. — Give  protectives  and  the  white  of  egg,  with  opium.  Do 
not  give  oils  or  alcohol. 


DISEASES  OF  THE    HEART,  BLOOD  VESSELS, 
AND  LYMPHATICS. 

By  W.  H.  Harbaugh,  V.  S. 
[Revised  in  1904  by  Leonard  Pearson,  B.  S.,  V.  M.  D.] 

The  heart,  blood  vessels,  and  lymphatics  may  be  described  as  the 
circulatory  apparatus. 

The  heart  is  located  in  the  thoracic  cavity  (chest).  It  is  conical  in 
form,  with  the  base  or  large  part  uppermost,  while  the  apex,  or  point, 
rests  just  above  the  sternum  (breastbone).  It  is  situated  between 
the  right  and  left  lungs,  the  apex  inclining  to  the  left,  and  owing  to  this 
circumstance  the  heart  beats  are  best  felt  on  the  left  side  of  the  chest 
behind  the  elbow.  The  heart  may  be  considered  as  a  hollow  muscle, 
containing  four  compartments,  two  on  each  side.  The  upper  com- 
partments are  called  auricles  and  the  lower  ones  are  called  ventricles. 
The  right  auricle  and  ventricle  are  completely  separated  from  the 
left  auricle  and  ventricle  by  a  thick  septum  or  wall,  so  that  there  is 
no  communication  between  the  right  and  left  sides  of  the  heart. 

At  the  bottom  of  each  auricle  is  the  auriculo- ventricular  opening, 
each  provided  with  a  valve  to  close  it  when  the  heart  contracts  to 
force  the  blood  into  the  arteries.  In  the  interval  between  the  con- 
tractions these  valves  hang  down  into  the  ventricles. 

The  muscular  tissue  of  the  heart  belongs  to  that  class  known  as 
involuntary,  because  its  action  is  not  controlled  by  the  will. 

The  cavities  of  the  heart  are  lined  by  serous  membrane,  called  the 
endocardium.  The  endocardium  may  be  considered  as  continued  into 
the  veins  and  the  arteries,  forming  their  internal  lining.  The  walls 
of  the  ventricles  are  thicker  than  those  of  the  auricles,  and  the  walls 
of  the  left  ventricle  are  much  thicker  than  those  of  the  right. 

The  heart  is  enveloped  by  a  fibrous  sac  (or  bag),  called  the  pericar- 
dium, which  assumes  much  of  the  general  shape  of  the  outer  surface 
of  the  heart. 

The  action  of  the  heart  is  similar  to  that  of  a  pump  and  its  function 
is  to  keep  the  blood  in  circulation.  The  auricles  may  be  considered  as 
the  reservoirs  or  receivers  of  the  blood  and  the  ventricles  as  the  pump 
chambers.  During  the  interval  between  contractions,  the  heart  being 
in  momentary  repose,  the  blood  pours  into  the  auricles  from  the  veins; 
the  auriculo- ventricular  orifices  being  widely  open,  the  ventricles  also 
receive  blood ;  the  auricles  contract  and  the  ventricles  are  filled ;  con- 
70 


DISEASES  OF  HEART,   BLOOD  VESSELS,   AND  LYMPHATICS.        71 

traction  of  the  ventricles  follows;  the  auriculo- ventricular  valves  are 
forced  up  by  the  pressure  of  the  blood  and  close  the  auriculo- ventric- 
ular openings  and  prevent  the  return  of  blood  into  the  auricles;  the 
contraction  of  the  ventricles  forces  the  blood  from  the  right  ventricle 
into  the  lungs  through  the  pulmonary  artery  and  its  branches,  and 
from  the  left  ventricle  into  the  aorta  and  all  parts  of  the  body  through 
the  arteries.  After  the  contraction  of  the  ventricles  the  heart  is  again 
in  momentary  repose  and  being  filled  with  blood,  while  the  valves  in 
the  aorta  and  pulmonary  artery  close  to  prevent  the  return  of  blood 
into  the  ventricles.     (See  PI.  VII.) 

The  average  weight  of  the  heart  of  an  ox  is  said  to  be  from  3|  to  5 
pounds,  but,  of  course,  the  weight  must  be  very  variable  in  different 
animals,  owing  to  the  many  breeds  and  sizes  of  cattle. 

The  vessels  that  convey  the  blood  from  the  heart  to  all  parts  of 
the  bod}r  are  called  arteries;  the  vessels  which  return  the  blood  to 
the  heart  are  called  veins.  Between  the  ultimate  ramifications  of  the 
arteries  and  the  beginning  of  the  veins  there  is  an  intermediate  system 
of  very  minute  vessels  called  capillaries,  which  connect  the  arterial 
with  the  venous  system  of  the  circulation.  The  walls  of  the  arteries 
are  possessed  of  a  certain  amount  of  rigidity,  sufficient  to  keep  the 
tubes  open  when  they  are  empty. 

The  blood  leaves  the  left  ventricle  through  a  single  vessel,  the  com- 
mon aorta,  which  divides  into  the  anterior  and  posterior  aortas,  which 
in  turn  give  off  the  large  arteries. 

The  arteries  divide  and  subdivide  (like  the  branches  of  a  tree), 
become  smaller  and  smaller,  and  ultimately  ramify  into  every  part  of 
the  bodjr,  terminating  in  a  network  of  very  small  tubes  called  capil- 
laries, which  can  only  be  recognized  by  the  aid  of  a  microscope.  The 
capillaries  terminate  in  veins. 

The  veins  take  the  blood  from  the  capillaries  in  all  parts  of  the  body. 
They  begin  in  very  small  tubes,  which  unite  to  become  larger  in  size 
and  less  in  number  as  they  approach  the  heart. 

In  its  course  an  artery  is  usually  accompanied  by  a  vein  and  in  many 
situations  by  a  nerve.  The  more  important  arteries  are  placed  deep 
within  the  body;  but  in  those  cases  where  they  are  superficial  they 
are  generally  found  where  least  exposed  to  injury,  as,  for  example,  on 
the  inner  side  of  the  legs.  Arteries  are  less  numerous  than  veins,  and 
the  total  capacity  of  the  arteries  is  much  less  than  that  of  the  veins. 
A  great  number  of  veins  are  in  the  tissue  immediately  beneath  the 
skin,  and  these  are  not  generally  accompanied  by  arteries. 

The  blood  throughout  its  course,  in  the  heart,  arteries,  capillaries, 
and  veins,  is  inclosed  within  these  vessels.  There  is  no  opening  into 
the  course  of  the  blood,  except  where  the  large  lymphatics  empty  into 
the  venous  blood. 

All  the  arteries,  except  the  pulmonary  artery  and  its  branches, 
carry  bright-red  blood,  and  all  the  veins,  except  the  pulmonary  veins, 


72  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

cany  dark-red  blood.  The  impure  dark-red  blood  is  collected  from 
the  sapillary  vessels  and  carried  to  the  right  auricle  by  the  veins ;  it 
passes  down  into  the  right  ventricle  and  thence  into  the  pulmonary 
artery,  and  through  its  branches  to  the  capillaries  of  the  lungs,  where 
the  carbonic-acid  gas  andother  impurities  are  given  up  to  the  air  in  the 
air  cells  of  the  lungs  (through  the  thin  walls  between  the  capillaries 
and  the  air  cells),  and  where  it  also  absorbs  from  the  air  the  oxygen 
gas  necessary  to  sustain  life,  which  changes  it  to  the  bright-red,  pure 
blood.  It  passes  from  the  capillaries  to  the  branches  of  the  pulmonary 
veins,  which  convey  it  to  the  left  auricle  of  the  heart ;  it  then  passes 
through  the  auriculo-ventricular  opening  into  the  left  ventricle,  the 
contraction  of  which  forces  it  through  the  common  aorta  into  the  pos- 
terior and  anterior  aortas,  and  through  all  the  arteries  of  the  body 
into  the  capillaries,  where  it  parts  with  its  oxygen  and  nutritive  ele- 
ments and  where  it  absorbs  carbonic-acid  gas  and  becomes  dark  col- 
ored.    (See  theoretical  diagram  of  the  circulation,  PI.  VII.) 

The  branches  of  certain  arteries  in  different  parts  unite  again  after 
subdividing.  This  reuniting  is  called  anastomosing,  and  assures  a 
quota  of  blood  to  a  part  if  one  of  the  anastomosing  arteries  should  be 
tied  in  case  of  hemorrhage,  or  should  be  destroyed  by  accident  or 
operation. 

BLOOD. 

The  various  kinds  of  food,  after  being  digested  in  the  alimentary 
canal,  are  absorbed  and  carried  into  the  blood  by  the  lymphatics,  and 
by  the  blood  to  the  places  where  nutrition  is  required.  The  blood 
takes  from  all  parts  of  the  body  all  that  is  useless  and  no  longer 
required,  and  carries  it  to  the  different  organs  where  it  is  eliminated 
from  the  body.  It  contains  within  itself  all  the  elements  which  nour- 
ish the  body. 

The  blood  may  be  considered  a  fluid  holding  in  solution  certain 
inorganic  elements  and  having  certain  bodies  suspended  in  it.  To 
facilitate  description,  the  blood  may  be  considered  as  being  made  up 
of  the  corpuscles  and  the  liquor  sanguinis.  The  corpuscles  are  of 
two  kinds,  the  red  and  the  white,  the  red  being  the  most  numerous. 
The  color  of  the  blood  is  due  to  the  coloring  matter  in  the  red  cor- 
puscles. The  red  corpuscles  are  the  oxygen  carriers.  Both  kinds 
are  very  minute  bodies,  which  require  the  aid  of  the  microscope  to 
recognize  them.  The  liquor  sanguinis  is  composed  of  water  contain- 
ing in  solution  salts,  albumen,  and  the  elements  of  fibrin. 

The  lymphatics,  or  absorbents,  are  the  vessels  which  carry  the  lymph 
and  chyle  in  the  blood.  They  begin  as  capillaries  in  all  parts  of  the 
body,  gradually  uniting  to  form  larger  trunks.  Placed  along  the 
course  of  the  lymphatic  vessels  are  glands,  and  in  some  situations 
these  glands  are  collected  into  groups;  for  example,  in  the  groin,  etc. 
These  glands  are  often  involved  in  inflammation  arising  from  the 
absorption  of  deleterious  matter. 


DISEASES   OF  HEAET,   BLOOD   VESSELS,   AND  LYMPHATICS.       73 

Absorption  is  the  function  of  the  lymphatics.  The  liquor  sanguinis 
passes  from  the  blood  capillaries  to  supply  nutrition  to  the  tissues. 
All  excess  of  the  liquor  sanguinis  that  is  not  required  is  absorbed  by 
the  lymphatic  vessels  and  conveyed  back  to  the  blood  by  the  lym- 
phatic ducts.  The  lymphatics  which  proceed  from  the  intestines  con- 
vey the  chyle  into  the  blood  during  digestion.  As  a  rule,  the  lym- 
phatic vessels  follow  the  course  of  the  veins.  All  of  the  absorbent 
vessels  convey  their  contents  to  the  thoracic  duct  and  right  great 
lymphatic  vein,  which  empty  into  the  anterior  vena  cava,  where  the 
lymph  and  chyle  mix  with  the  venous  blood,  and  thus  maintain  the 
supply  of  nutritive  elements  in  the  blood. 

PULSE. 

As  fully  explained,  the  heart  pumps  the  blood  throughout  the  arte- 
rial system.  The  arteries  are  always  full  and  each  contraction  of 
the  ventricle  pumps  more  blood  into  them,  which  distends  their  elastic 
walls  and  sends  a  wave  along  them  which  gradually  becomes  less  per- 
ceptible as  it  nears  the  very  small  arteries,  and  is  lost  before  the 
capillaries  are  reached.  This  wave  constitutes  the  pulse.  The  sen- 
sation or  impression  given  to  the  finger  when  placed  upon  the  artery 
shows  the  force  exerted  by  the  heart  and  some  important  facts  con- 
cerning the  condition  of  the  circulation.  In  cattle  the  average  num- 
ber of  pulsations  in  a  minute  (in  adults)  is  from  50  to  60.  The  pulse 
is  faster  than  normal  after  exercise,  excitement,  on  hot  days,  from 
pain,  and  as  a  result  of  fullness  of  the  stomach.  In  old  animals  it  is 
slower  than  in  the  young  and  in  males  slightly  slower  than  in  females. 
In  fevers  and  inflammations  and  in  local  diseases  of  the  heart  the 
pulse  rate  is  increased.  If  the  rate  is  greater  than  100  or  110  to  the 
minute  the  outlook  for  recovery  is  not  good. 

Other  variations  of  the  pulse  are  known  as  infrequent  pulse,  which 
means  that  the  number  of  pulsations  in  a  given  time  is  less  than  nor- 
mal. The  irregular  or  the  intermittent  pulse  is  when  the  pulsations 
do  not  follow  in  regular  order.  The  large  pulse  and  the  small  pulse 
refer  to  the  volume  of  the  pulse,  which  may  be  larger  or  smaller  than 
usual.  The  strong  pulse  and  the  feeble  pulse  refer  to  the  strength  or 
weakness  of  the  pulsation.  The  pulse  is  said  to  be  hard  when  the 
vessel  feels  hard  and  incompressible.  The  soft  pulse  is  the  reverse 
of  the  hard  one.  By  dicrotic  pulse  is  meant  that  kind  of  pulsation 
which  makes  each  beat  seem  double,  and  therefore  it  is  generally 
called  the  double  pulse. 

The  venous  or  "jugular  pulse"  is  the  pulsation  so  frequently 
observed  in  the  jugular  vein  of  cattle.  It  is  particularly  noticeable 
while  they  are  ruminating — "chewing  the  cud."  It  is  not  always 
associated  with  disease,  but  may  be  a  symptom  of  some  disease  of  the 
heart;  in  such' cases  the  jugular  pulse  is  continuous. 

The  location  selected  for  feeling  the  pulse  in  cattle  is  where  the  sub- 
maxillary artery  winds  around  the  lower  jaw  bones,  just  at  the  lower 


74  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

edge  of  the  flat  muscle  on  the  side  of  the  cheek ;  or,  if  the  cow  is  lying 
down,  the  metacarpal  artery  on  the  back  part  of  the  fore  fetlock  is 
very  convenient  for  the  purpose. 

THE  EXAMINATION  OF  THE  HEART. 

Corresponding  with  the  beats  of  the  heart  two  sounds  are  emitted, 
which  are  of  a  definite  type  in  healthy  animals.  The  first  is  pro- 
duced by  the  contraction  of  the  heart  and  the  flow  of  blood  out  of  it; 
the  second  is  caused  by  the  rebound  of  blood  in  the  aorta  and  the 
closure  of  the  valves  that  prevent  it  from  flowing  backward  into  the 
heart,  whence  it  came.  The  first  sound  is  the  longer  and  louder  of 
the  two,  though  of  low  pitch.  The  second  sound  is  sharper  and 
shorter,  and  is  not  always  easy  to  hear  in  cattle.  There  is  a  brief 
interval  between  them. 

To  appreciate  these  sounds,  the  ear  is  placed  against  the  left  side  of 
the  chest,  a  little  above  the  point  where  the  elbow  rests  when  the 
animal  is  standing  in  a  natural  position  and  about  opposite  the  sixth 
rib.  The  heart  sounds  are  both  reduced  in  intensity  when  the  animal 
is  weak  or  when  the  heart  is  forced  away  from  the  chest  wall  by  col- 
lections of  fluid  or  by  tubercular  or  other  growths.  Nonrhythmical 
heart  sound  is  often  caused  by  pericarditis  or  by  disease  of  the 
valves.  It  may  also  be  due  to  overfilling  of  the  heart  upon  the  right 
side,  as  occurs  in  severe  congestion  of  the  lungs  and  in  some  febrile 
diseases. 

In  pericarditis  scraping,  rubbing,  or  splashing  sounds  may  be  heard, 
entirely  apart  from  the  two  normal  sounds  above  described. 

The  impulse  of  the  heart,  as  felt  by  placing  the  hand  against  the 
chest,  is  of  some  consequence  in  arriving  at  a  conclusion  in  respect  to 
disease  of  the  heart;  but  it  must  be  remembered  that  the  impulse 
may  be  very  much  increased  by  diseases  other  than  those  of  the  heart, 
as,  for  example,  inflammation  of  various  organs,  severe  pains,  etc. 
The  impulse  may  also  be  increased  (when  disease  does  not  exist)  by 
work,  exercise,  fright,  or  any  cause  of  excitement,  or,  in  general,  by 
anything  that  causes  acceleration  of  the  pulse. 

The  impulse  of  the  heart  may  be  felt  and  the  sounds  may  be  heard 
fairly  well  in  lean  cattle,  but  in  fat  ones  it  is  difficult  and  often 
impossible  to  detect  either  impulse  or  sound  with  any  degree  of  satis- 
faction. 

PALPITATION. 

When  the  impulse  of  the  heart  is  excessive — that  is,  when  it  beats 
more  or  less  tumultuously — the  familiar  expression  "  palpitation  of  the 
heart"  is  applied;  and  by  many  it  is  called  "thumps."  The  hand  or 
ear  placed  against  the  chest  easily  detects  the  unnatural  beating.  In 
some  cases  it  is  so  violent  that  the  motion  may  be  seen  at  a  distance. 
Palpitation  is  but  a  symptom,  and  in  many  instances  not  connected 


DISEASES  OF   HEART,   BLOOD  VESSELS,  AND  LYMPHATICS.       75 

with  disease  of  the  structure  of  the  heart  or  its  membranes.  An. 
animal  badly  frightened  may  have  palpitation.  When  it  comes  on 
suddenly  and  soon  passes  away,  it  depends  on  some  cause  other  than 
disease  of  the  heart;  but  when  it  is  gradually  manifested,  and  becomes 
constant,  although  more  pronounced  at  one  time  than  another,  heart 
disease  may  be  suspected,  especially  if  other  symptoms  of  heart  dis- 
ease are  present. 

INJURY   TO   THE   HEART  BY   FOREIGN   BODIES. 

Cattle  are  addicted  to  the  habit  of  chewing  and  swallowing  many 
objects  not  intended  as  articles  of  food.  Every  veterinarian  of  expe- 
rience has  met  with  instances  to  remind  him  of  this,  and  it  is  well 
known  to  butchers.  Among  the  great  variety  of  things  that  have 
thus  found  their  way  into  the  stomachs  of  cattle  the  following  have 
been  noticed:  Finger  rings,  knitting  needles,  old  shoes,  table  knives, 
wood,  pieces  of  leather,  pieces  of  wire,  buttons,  hairpins,  brushes, 
nails,  coins,  etc.  The  more  sharply  pointed  objects  sometimes  pene- 
trate the  wall  of  the  stomach,  during  which  they  may  or  may  not 
cause  enough  irritation  of  the  stomach  to  produce  indigestion,  gradu- 
ally work  their  way  through  the  diaphragm  toward  the  heart,  pierce 
the  pericardium  (bag  inclosing  the  heart),  wound  the  heart,  and 
prove  fatal  to  the  animal.  Cases  are  recorded  in  which  the  foreign 
body  has  actually  worked  its  way  into  one  of  the  cavities  of  the  heart. 
However,  instances  are  known  in  which  the  object  took  a  different 
course,  and  finally  worked  its  way  toward  the  surface  and  was 
extracted  from  the  wall  of  the  chest.  While  it  is  possible  that  the 
object  may  pierce  the  wall  at  different  parts  of  the  alimentary  canal, 
as  it  frequently  does  that  of  the  rumen  (paunch),  it  is  thought  that 
in  the  great  majority  of  cases  it  passes  through  the  wall  of  the  reticu- 
lum (smaller  honeycombed  compartment,  or  second  stomach)  and  is 
drawn  toward  the  heart  by  the  suction-like  action  of  the  chest.  Post- 
mortem examinations  have  demonstrated  the  course  it  pursued,  as 
adhesions  and  other  results  of  the  inflammation  it  caused  were  plainly 
to  be  seen.  All  manner  of  symptoms  may  precede  those  showing 
involvement  of  the  heart,  depending  upon  the  location  of  the  foreign 
body  and  the  extent  of  inflammation  caused  by  it.  Severe  indigestion 
may  occur;  stiffness  and  difficulty  in  moving  about,  due  to  the  prods 
of  the  sharp  body  following  muscular  contraction;  pain  on  pressure 
over  the  front,  lower,  and  right  sides  of  the  abdomen;  coughing  and 
difficult,  quick  breathing.  In  most  cases  the  foreign  body  does  not 
penetrate  to  the  heart,  nor  even  to  the  pericardium. 

Symptoms. — The  symptoms  are  as  follows:  The  animal  is  disin- 
clined to  move  actively,  the  step  is  restricted  and  cautious,  sudden 
motion  causes  grunting,  the  attitude  is  constrained,  the  feet  are 
drawn  somewhat  together,  the  back  is  arched,  the  face  has  an  anxious 
expression.     If  the  disease  is  of  some  days'  standing,  there  is  likely  to 


76  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

be  soft  swelling  (edema)  beneath  the  neck,  in  the  dewlap,  and  under  the 
chest,  between  the  fore  legs.  Breathing  is  short  and  difficult ;  it  may 
clearly  be  painful.  The  pulse  is  rapid,  80  to  120  per  minute.  The  mus- 
cles quiver  as  though  the  animal  were  cold.  Rumination  and  appetite 
are  depressed  or  checked.  The  dung  is  hard,  and  to  void  it  appears 
to  cause  pain.  These  symptoms  usually  develop  gradually,  and,  of 
course,  they  vary  considerably  in  different  animals,  depending  upon 
the  size  and  location  of  the  foreign  body  and  the  irritation  caused  by  it. 
As  a  matter  of  course,  treatment  in  such  cases  is  useless,  but  when 
it  is  possible  to  diagnose  the  case  correctly  the  animal  could  be  turned 
over  to  the  butcher  before  the  flesh  becomes  unfit  for  use ;  that  is, 
before  there  is  more  than  a  little  suppuration  and  before  there  is 
fever.  Knowing  that  cattle  are  prone  to  swallow  such  objects,  ordi- 
nary care  may  be  exercised  in  keeping  their  surroundings  as  free  of 
them  as  possible. 

PERICARDITIS. 

Inflammation  of  the  pericardium  (heart  bag)  is  often  associated 
with  pneumonia  and  pleurisy,  rheumatism,  and  other  constitutional 
diseases,  or  with  an  injury.  It  also  occurs  as  an  independent  affec- 
tion, due  to  causes  similar  to  those  of  other  chest  affections,  as  expos- 
ure to  cold  or  dampness  and  changes  of  the  weather. 

Symptoms. — It  may  be  ushered  in  with  a  chill,  followed  by  fever,  of 
more  or  less  severity;  the  animal  stands  still  and  dull,  with  head 
hanging  low,  and  anxiety  expressed  in  its  countenance.  The  pulse 
may  be  large,  perhaps  hard ;  there  is  also  a  venous  pulse.  The  hand 
against  the  chest  will  feel  the  beating  of  the  heart,  which  is  often 
irregular,  sometimes  violent,  and  in  other  instances  weak,  depending 
in  part  upon  the  amount  of  fluid  that  has  transuded  into  the  peri- 
cardial sac.  Legs  are  cold,  the  breathing  quickened,  and  usually 
abdominal;  if  the  left  side  of  the  chest  be  pressed  on  or  struck,  the 
animal  evinces  pain.  There  may  be  spasms  of  the  muscles  in  the 
region  of  the  breast,  neck,  or  hind  legs.  After  a  time,  which  varies  in 
length,  the  legs  may  become  swollen,  and  swelling  may  also  appear 
under  the  chest  and  brisket. 

In  those  animals  in  which  the  heart  sounds  may  be  heard  somewhat 
distinctly,  the  ear  applied  against  the  chest  will  detect  a  to-and-fro 
friction  sound,  corresponding  to  the  beats  of  the  heart. .  This  sound 
is  produced  by  the  rubbing  of  the  internal  surface  of  the  heart  bag 
against  the  external  surface  of  the  heart.  During  the  first  stages  of 
the  inflammation  these  surfaces  are  dry,  and  the  rubbing  of  one 
against  the  other  during  the  contraction  and  relaxation  of  the  heart 
produces  this  sound.  The  dry  stage  is  followed  by  the  exudation  of 
fluid  into  the  heart  sac,  and  the  friction  is  not  heard  until  the  fluid 
is  absorbed  sufficiently  to  allow  the  surfaces  to  come  in  contact  again. 
But  during  the  time  the  friction  sound  is  lost  a  sound  which  has  been 
called  a  "churning  noise"  may  take  its  place. 


DISEASES  OF  HEART,   BLOOD  VESSELS,  AND  LYMPHATICS.       77 

The  friction  sound  of  pericarditis  can  not  be  mistaken  for  the  fric- 
tion sound  of  pleurisy  if  the  examination  is  a  careful  one,  because 
in  the  heart  affection  the  sound  is  made  in  connection  with  the  heart 
beats,  while  in  the  pleuritic  affection  the  sound  is  synchronous  with 
each  respiration  or  breath  of  air  taken  in  and  expelled  from  the  lungs. 

Treatment. — When  pericarditis  is  complicated  with  rheumatism  or 
other  diseases  the  latter  must  be  treated  as  directed  in  the  description 
of  them.  The  animal  must  be  kept  in  a  quiet,  comfortable  place, 
where  it  will  be  free  from  excitement.  Warm  clothing  should  be  applied 
to  the  body  and  the  legs  should  be  hand-rubbed  until  the  circulation  in 
them  is  reestablished,  and  then  snugly  bandaged.  The  food  should 
be  nutritive  and  in  moderate  quantity.  Bleeding  should  not  be  per- 
formed unless  the  case  is  in  the  hands  of  an  expert. 

At  the  beginning,  give  as  a  purgative  Epsoni  salts — 1  pound  to  an 
average-sized  cow — dissolved  in  about  a  quart  of  warm  water  and 
administered  as  a  drench.  When  there  is  much  pain,  2  ounces  of  lau- 
danum may  be  given,  diluted  with  a  pint  of  water,  every  three  hours, 
until  relief  is  given.  Do  not  give  the  laudanum  unless  demanded  by 
the  severity  of  the  pain,  as  it  tends  to  constipation.  Give  one-half 
ounce  of  nitrate  of  potassium  (saltpeter),  dissolved  in  drinking  water, 
four  or.fi  ve  times  a  day.  After  the  attack  has  abated,  mustard  mixed 
with  water  may  be  rubbed  well  over  the  left  side  of  the  chest  to  stim- 
ulate the  absorption  of  the  fluid  contained  within  the  pericardium. 
The  other  medicines  may  be  discontinued  and  the  following  adminis- 
tered: Sulphate  of  iron,  2  ounces;  powdered  gentian,  6  ounces;  mix 
and  make  eight  powders.  Give  one  powder  everyday  at  noon,  mixed 
with  food,  if  the  animal  will  eat  it,  or  shaken  up  with  water  in  a  bot- 
tle as  a  drench.  Also  the  following:  Iodid  of  potassium,  2  ounces; 
nitrate  of  potassium,  8  ounces;  mix  and  make  sixteen  powders.  Give 
one  in  drinking  water  or  in  drench  every  morning  and  evening.  The 
last  two  prescriptions  may  be  continued  for  several  weeks  if  necessary. 

If  at  any  time  during  the  attack  much  weakness  is  manifested,  give 
the  following  drench  every  three  hours:  Spirits  of  nitrous  ether,  3 
ounces;  rectified  spirits,  4  ounces;  water,  1  pint;  mix  and  give  as  a 
drench. 

In  extreme  cases  tapping  the  pericardium  with  a  trocar  and  canula 
to  draw  off  the  fluid  is  resorted  to,  but  the  operation  requires  exact 
anatomical  knowledge. 

After  death  from  pericarditis  there  is  always  more  or  less  fluid  found 
in  the  pericardium ;  the  surfaces  are  rough  and  covered  with  a  yellow- 
colored  exudate.  There  are  also,  in  many  cases,  adhesions,  to  a  greater 
or  less  extent,  between  the  heart  and  pericardium. 

MYOCARDITIS. 

Inflammation  of  the  muscular  structure  of  the  heart  occurs  in  lim- 
ited, circumscribed  areas,  as  evidenced  by  post-mortem  examination, 


78  DISEASES    OP    CATTLE. 

and  it  is  probably  always  somewhat  involved  in  connection  with  peri- 
carditis and  endocarditis.  It  may  readily  be  inferred  that  if  the 
whole  organ  were  inflamed  death  would  ensue  immediately.  Usually 
myocarditis  results  from  the  preexistence  of  blood  poisoning  or  some 
infectious  febrile  disease. 

Symptoms. — The  chief  symptoms  are  those  of  heart  weakness.  The 
heart  beat  is  fast,  weak,  and  often  irregular.  Respiration  is  difficult 
and  rapid.  There  is  great  general  weakness  and  depression.  Death 
comes  on  suddenly. 

Treatment. — Treatment  consists  in  supporting  the  animal  by  the 
use  of  stimulants,  such  as  alcohol,  ammonia,  coffee,  digitalis,  camphor, 
etc.  Complete  quiet  must  be  provided,  and  the  general  care  should 
be  as  in  pericarditis. 

ENDOCARDITIS. 

When  the  membrane  which  lines  the  cavities  of  the  heart — the  endo- 
cardium— suffers  inflammation,  the  disease  is  called  endocarditis.  The 
cause  is  another  disease,  during  which  there  isproduced  and  admit- 
ted into  the  circulation  substances  that  irritate  the  lining  of  the  heart. 
These  substances  are  usually  living  organisms,  or  it  is  possible  that 
in  some  cases  they  are  chemical  irritants.  Endocarditis  occurs  as  a 
complication  or  sequel  to  pneumonia,  blood  poisoning,  inflammation 
of  the  womb,  rheumatism,  or  severe  wounds  or  abscesses.  The  symp- 
toms are  much  the  same  as  those  of  pericarditis,  and  it  is  difficult  to 
discriminate  between  the  two  affections.  There  is  a  jugular  pulse, 
the  legs  may  become  dropsical,  and  there  is  a  tendency  to  faint  if  the 
head  is  elevated  suddenly.  The  bellows-like  sound  is  more  distinct 
than  it  is  in  pericarditis.  It  is  the  most  fatal  of  heart  diseases, 
because  of  the  liability  of  the  formation  of  clots,  which  may  adhere 
to  the  valves,  change  in  the  structure  of  the  valves,  and  often  a  com- 
plication with  an  abnormal  condition  of  the  blood.  Clots  may  be 
formed  in  the  heart,  and,  being  carried  to  other  parts,  prove  fatal  by 
interrupting  the  circulation  in  some  vital  organ. 

Similar  treatment  to  that  advised  for  myocarditis  may  be  followed 
in  this  disease. 

VALVES  OF  THE   HEART. 

The  valves  are  subject  to  abnormal  growths  and  structural  changes 
in  chronic  endocarditis  or  as  a  result  of  acute  endocarditis.  Some- 
times valves  are  torn  by  sudden  extreme  muscular  effort,  or  an  abnor- 
mality may  be  congenital.  Cases  are  also  reported  in  which  they  have 
been  found  ruptured. 

Symjitoms. — The  general  symptoms  are  those  of  heart  weakness, 
accompanied  by  congestion  of  the  lungs  and  edema. 

Treatment. — Relief  is  sometimes  afforded,  but  usually  temporarily, 
by  the  use  of  stimulants,  especially  digitalis. 


DISEASES  OF   HEAKT,   BLOOD  VESSELS,   AND  LYMPHATICS.        79 
RUPTURE   OF  THE   HEART. 

Sudden  effort,  blows>  or  disease  may  lead  to  rupture  of  the  heart  of 
the  ox.  The  first  cause  does  not  operate  so  often  in  cattle  as  in  horses. 
Tuberculosis  or  ulceration  from  other  causes,  such  as  a  foreign  body, 
is  the  most  common  source  of  this  accident.  Rupture  is  shown  by 
sudden  fainting,  followed  very  shortly  by  death. 

HYPERTROPHY  AND   DILATATION   OF   THE  HEART. 

This  is  an  enlargement  of  the  heart,  and  may  consist  of  the  thicken- 
ing of  the  walls  alone,  or  at  the  same  time  the  cavities  may  be  either 
enlarged  or  diminished  in  size.  Dilatation  of  the  cavities  has  been 
noticed  as  existing  independently  of  thickened  walls.  In  hypertrophy 
the  sounds  of  the  heart  are  loud  and  pronounced,  and  may  be  heard 
on  both  sides  of  the  chest  distinctly,  and  palpitation  occurs  to  a 
greater  or  less  extent.     Luckily  both  conditions  are  very  rare  in  cattle. 

ATROPHY. 

Atrophy  is  the  technical  term  for  wasting  of  the  muscular  tissue. 
Atrophy  of  the  heart  is  very  rare  among  cattle,  and  is  usually  a  result 
of  other  diseases. 

FATTY   DEGENERATION   OF  THE   HEART. 

This  condition  of  the  heart  is  met  with  in  some  cattle  that  are  very 
fat,  but  it  must  be  understood  that  the  accumulation  of  fat  around 
the  heart  is  not  referred  to  by  this  designation.  In  fatty  degenera- 
tion the  elements  of  the  muscular  tissue  are  replaced  by  fatty  or  oily 
granules.  The  muscle  becomes  weak,  the  heart  contractions  are 
insufficient,  and  heart  weakness  is  shown  by  general  weakness,  short- 
ness of  breath,  and  weak,  rapid  pulse. 

CYANOSIS. 

Owing  to  the  most  prominent  symptom,  this  condition  is  also  called 
"blue  disease."  It  is  seen  occasionally  in  new-born  calves.  It  is 
recognized  by  the  blue  color  of  the  mucous  membrane  (easily  seen  by 
looking  within  the  mouth  and  nostrils),  the  coldness  of  the  surface  of 
the  body,  and  rapid,  labored  breathing.  It  is  due  to  nonclosure  of 
the  foramen  ovale,  connecting  the  right  with  the  left  side  of  the  heart, 
and  the  consequent  mixing  of  the  venous  with  the  arterial  blood. 
Calves  so  affected  live  but  a  short  time. 

MISPLACEMENT   OF  THE   HEART. 

Cases  are  recorded  in  which  the  heart  has  been  found  out  of  its 
natural  position,  sometimes  located  outside  of  the  chest.  This  is  a 
congenital  condition,  for  which  there  is  no  remedy.     A  heifer  calf 


80  DISEASES   OF   CATTLE. 

with  the  heart  entirely  outside  of  the  thoracic  cavity  and  contained 
beneath  the  skin  in  the  lower  part  of  the  neck  was  kept  at  the  veteri- 
nary hospital  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania  for  two  years,  during 
which  time  it  matured  into  a  well-developed  cow. 

WOUNDS  OF  ARTERIES  AND  VEINS. 

When  a  blood  vessel  is  opened  it  may  be  told  at  a  glance  whether 
it  is  an  artery  or  a  vein  by  simply  bearing  in  mind  that  bright-red 
blood  comes  from  arteries  and  dark-red  from  veins.  When  a  vein  or 
a  very  small  artery  is  severed  the  blood  flows  from  the  vessel  in  a  con- 
tinuous and  even  stream,  but  when  one  of  the  larger  arteries  is  severed 
the  blood  comes  from  it  in  intermitting  jets,  or  spurts,  corresponding 
to  the  beats  of  the  heart.  It  is  well  to  call  attention  to  the  fact  that 
the  dark-red  blood  which  flows  or  oozes  from  a  wound  soon  becomes 
bright-red,  because  it  gives  up  its  carbonic-acid  gas  to  the  air,  and 
absorbs  oxygen  gas  from  the  air,  which  is  exactly  the  change  it  under- 
goes in  the  capillaries  of  the  lungs. 

The  general  treatment  of  wounds  will  be  found  in  another  section ; 
here  it  is  only  necessary  to  refer  briefly  to  some  of  the  most  practical 
methods  used  to  arrest  hemorrhages,  as  instances  occur  where  an 
animal  may  lose  much  strength  from  the  loss  of  blood,  or  even  bleed 
to  death  unless  action  is  prompt. 

BLEEDING   (HEMORRHAGE). 

The  severity  of  a  hemorrhage  depends  upon  the  size  of  the  vessel 
from  which  the  blood  escapes,  though  it  may  be  stated  that  it  is  more 
serious  when  arteries  are  severed.  If  the  wound  in  an  artery  is  in  the 
direction  of  its  length,  the  blood  escapes  more  freely  than  if  the  vessel 
is  completely  severed,  because  in  the  latter  instance  the  severed  ends 
retract,  curl  in,  and  may  aid  very  much  in  arresting  the  flow.  When 
the  blood  merely  oozes  from  the  wound,  and  even  in  cases  where  it 
flows  in  a  small  stream,  the  forming  of  the  clot  arrests  the  hemorrhage 
in  a  comparatively  short  time. 

Slight  hemorrhages  may  be  checked  by  the  continuous  application 
to  the  wound  of  cold  water,  ice,  or  snow,  as  cold  causes  contraction  of 
the  small  vessels.  The  water  may  be  thrown  on  a  wound  from  a  hose, 
or  dashed  on  it  from  the  hand  or  a  cup,  or  folds  of  cotton  cloths  may 
be  held  on  the  wound  and  kept  wet.  Ice  or  snow  may  be  held  against 
the  wound,  or  they  may  be  put  in  a  bag  and  conveniently  secured  in 
position. 

Hot  water  of  an  average  temperature  of  115°  to  120°  F.  injected  into 
the  vagina  or  womb  is  often  efficient  in  arresting  hemorrhages  from 
those  organs.  Tow,  raw  cotton,  lint,  or  sponges  may  be  forced  into  a 
wound  and  held  or  bound  there  with  bandages.  This  is  an  excellent 
method  for  checking. the  flow  of  blood  until  the  arrival  of  an  expert. 
If  the  flow  persists,  these  articles  may  be  saturated  with  tincture  of  iron, 


DISEASES  OF  HEART,   BLOOD  VESSELS,  AND  LYMPHATICS.       81 

but  It  is  not  advisable  to  use  the  tincture  of  iron  if  it  can  be  avoided, 
as  it  is  a  caustic,  and  retards  healing  by  causing  a  slough.  The  arti- 
cles may  be  saturated  with  vinegar  in  cases  of  necessity,  or  tannic  acid 
or  alum  dissolved  in  water  may  be  used  instead.  The  article  (which- 
ever is  used)  should  be  left  in  the  wound  sufficiently  long  to  make  sure 
that  its  removal  will  not  be  followed  by  a  renewal  of  the  hemorrhage. 
It  must  remain  there  one  or  two  days  in  some  instances. 

An  iron  heated  until  it  is  white  and  then  pressed  on  the  bleeding  ves- 
sel for  three  or  four  seconds  is  occasionally  used.  It  should  be  at  white 
heat  and  applied  for  a  moment  only,  or  else  the  charred  tissue  will 
come  away  with  the  iron  and  thus  defeat  the  purpose  of  its  application. 

Compression  may  be  applied  in  different  ways,  but  only  the  most 
convenient  will  be  mentioned.  To  many  wounds  bandages  may  easily 
be  applied.  The  bandages  may  be  made  of  linen,  muslin,  etc.,  suffi- 
ciently wide  and  long,  according  to  the  nature  of  the  wound  and  the 
region  to  be  bandaged.  Bed  sheets  torn  in  strips  the  full  length  make 
excellent  bandages  for  this  purpose.  Cotton  batting,  tow,  or  a  piece 
of  sponge  may  be  placed  on  the  wound  and  firmly  bound  there  with 
the  bandages. 

In  many  instances  ligating  the  vessel  is  necessary.  A  ligature  is  a 
piece  of  thread  or  string  tied  around  the  vessel.  Ligating  is  almost 
entirely  confined  to  arteries.  Veins  are  not  ligated  unless  very  large 
(and  even  then  only  when  other  means  are  not  available)  on  account 
of  the  danger  of  phlebitis,  or  inflammation  of  a  vein.  The  ligature  is 
tied  around  the  end  of  the  artery,  but  in  some  instances  this  is  diffi- 
cult, and  it  is  necessary  to  include  some  of  the  adjacent  tissue,  although 
care  should  be  taken  that  a  nerve  is  not  included.  To  apply  a  liga- 
ture, it  is  necessary  to  have  artery  forceps  (tweezers  or  small  pincers 
may  suffice)  by  which  to  draw  out  the  artery  in  order  to  tie  the  string 
around  it.  To  grasp  the  vessel  it  may  be  necessary  to  sponge  the 
blood  from  the  wound  so  that  the  end  will  be  exposed.  In  case  the 
end  of  the  bleeding  artery  has  retracted,  a  sharp-pointed  hook,  called 
a  tenaculum,  is  used  to  draw  it  out  far  enough  to  tie.  The  ligature 
should  be  drawn  tightly,  so  that  the  middle  and  internal  coats  will  be 
cut  through. 

Another  method  of  checking  hemorrhage  is  called  torsion.  It  con- 
sists in  catching  the  end  of  the  bleeding  vessel,  drawing  it  out  a  little, 
and  then  twisting  it  around  a  few  times  with  the  forceps,  which  lacer- 
ates the  internal  coats  so  that  a  check  is  effected.  This  is  very  effec- 
tual in  small  vessels,  and  is  to  be  preferred  to  ligatures,  because  it 
leaves  no  foreign  body  in  the  wound.  A  needle  or  pin  may  be  stuck 
through  the  edges  of  a  wound,  and  a  string  passed  around  between  the 
free  ends  and  the  skin  (PI.  XXVIII,  fig.  10),  or  it  may  be  passed 
around  in  the  form  of  a  figure  8,  as  is  often  done  in  the  operation  of 
bleeding  from  the  jugular  vein. 

61386—08 6 


82  DISEASE8    OF   CATTLE. 

ANEURISM. 

A  circumscribed  dilatation  of  an  artery,  constituting  a  tumor  which 
pulsates  synchronously  with  the  beats  of  the  heart,  is  called  aneurism. 
It  is  due  to  disease  and  rupture  of  one  or  two  of  the  arterial  coats. 
The  true  aneurism  communicates  with  the  interior  of  the  artery  and 
contains  coagulated  blood.  They  are  so  deeply  seated  in  cattle  that 
treatment  is  out  of  the  question.  These  abnormalities  are  due  to 
severe  exertion,  to  old  age,  to  fatty  or  calcareous  degeneration,  or  to 
parasites  in  the  blood  vessels.  Death  is  sudden  when  due  to  the  rup- 
ture of  an  aneurism  of  a  large  artery,  owing  to  internal  hemorrhage. 
Sometimes  spontaneous  recovery  occurs.  As  a  rule  no  symptoms  are 
caused  in  cattle  by  the  presence  of  deep-seated  aneurisms,  and  their 
presence  is  not  suspected  until  after  death. 

A  false  aneurism  results  from  blood  escaping  from  a  wounded  artery 
into  the  adjacent  tissue,  where  it  clots,  and  the  wound,  remaining 
open  in  the  artery,  causes  pulsation  in  the  tumor. 

THROMBOSIS   (OBSTRUCTION)    OF   THE   ARTERIES. 

Arteries  become  obstructed  as  a  result  of  wounds  and  other  injuries 
to  them,  as  those  resulting  from  the  formation  of  an  abscess  or  the 
extension  of  inflammation  from  surrounding  structures  to  the  coats 
of  an  artery.  Arteries  are  also  obstructed  by  the  breaking  off  of  par- 
ticles of  a  plug  or  clot,  partly  obstructing  the  aorta  or  other  large 
artery.  These  small  pieces  (emboli)  are  floated  to  an  artery  that  is 
too  small  to  permit  them  to  pass  and  are  there  securely  held,  produc- 
ing obstruction.  Such  obstructions  are  shown  by  loss  of  power  in  the 
muscles  supplied  by  the  obstructed  artery  and  by  excitation  of  the 
heart  and  respiration  after  exercise.  The  loss  of  power  may  not  come 
into  evidence  until  after  exercise. 

Symptoms. — While  standing  still  or  when  walking  slowly  the  ani- 
mal may  appear  to  be  normal,  but  after  more  active  exercise  a  group 
of  muscles,  a  leg,  or  both  hind  legs,  may  be  handled  with  difficulty, 
causing  lameness,  and  later  there  is  practically  a  local  paralysis. 
These  symptoms  disappear  with  rest.  In  some  cases  the  collateral  cir- 
culation develops  in  time,  so  that  the  parts  receive  sufficient  blood 
and  the  symptoms  disappear. 

INFLAMMATION   OF  VEINS    (PHLEBITIS). 

When  bleeding  is  performed  without  proper  care  or  with  unclean 
fleam  or  lancet,  inflammation  of  the  vein  may  result,  or  it  may  be 
caused  by  the  animal  rubbing  the  wound  against  some  object.  When 
inflammation  follows  the  operation,  the  coats  of  the  vein  become 
enlarged;  so  much  so  that  the  vessel  may  be  felt  hard  and  knotted 
beneath  the  skin,  and  when  pressed  on  pain  is  evinced.  A  thin,  watery 
discharge,  tinged  with  blood,  issues  from  the  wound.     When  the  pin 


DISEASES  OF  HEART,  BLOOD  VE8SEL8,  AND  LYMPHATIC8.       83 

is  taken  out  it  is  found  that  the  wound  has  not  healed.  The  blood 
becomes  coagulated  in  the  vessel.  In  inflammation  of  the  jugular  the 
coagulation  extends  from  the  wound  upward  to  the  first  large  branch. 
Abscesses  may  form  along  the  course  of  the  vein.  The  inflammation 
is  followed  by  obliteration  of  that  part  in  which  coagulation  exists. 
This  is  of  small  import,  as  cattle  have  an  accessory  jugular  vein  which 
gradually  enlarges  and  accommodates  itself  to  the  increased  quantity 
of  blood  it  must  carry. 

Treatment. — The  treatment  for  inflammation  of  the  vein  is  to  clip 
the  hair  from  along  the  course  of  the  affected  vessel  and  apply  a 
blister,  the  cerate  of  cantbarides.  Abscesses  should  be  opened  as 
soon  as  they  form,  because  there  is  a  possibility  of  the  pus  getting 
into  the  circulation. 

In  the  operation  of  bleeding  the  instruments  should  be  clean  and 
free  from  rust.  If  the  skin  is  not  sufficiently  opened,  or  when  closing 
the  wound  the  skin  is  drawn  out  too  much,  blood  may  accumulate  in 
the  tissue,  and  if  it  does  it  should  be  removed  by  pressing  absorbent 
cotton  or  a  sponge  on  the  part.  Care  should  also  be  used  in  opening 
the  vein,  so  that  the  instrument  does  not  pass  entirely  through  both 
sides  of  the  vein  and  open  the  artery  beneath  it.  (See  * '  Bleeding,  or 
Blood-letting,"  p.  290.) 


DISEASES  OF  THE  HEART,  BLOOD  VESSELS,  AND  LYMPHATICS. 

DESCRIPTION   OP  PLATE. 

Plate  VII: 

Diagram  illustrating  the  circulation  of  the  blood.  The  arrows  indicate  the 
direction  in  which  the  blood  flows.  The  valves  of  the  heart,  situated 
between  the  right  auricle  and  ventricle,  and  left  auricle  and  ventricle, 
and  between  the  ventricles  and  large  arteries,  are  represented  by  curved 
lines.  These  valves  are  intended  to  prevent  the  flow  of  blood  in  a  direc- 
tion contrary  to  that  indicated  by  the  arrows. 

84 


Diseases  of  Cattle. 


PLATE  VII. 


NONCONTAGIOUS   DISEASES  OF  THE  ORGANS 
OF  RESPIRATION. 

By  William  Herbert  Lowe,  D.  V.  S. 
[Revised  in  1904  by  the  author.  ] 

In  the  determination  of  disease  in  the  human  being  the  physician  is 
aided  by  both  subjective  and  objective  symptoms  in  making  his  diag- 
nosis ;  but  the  veterinary  physician,  in  a  very  large  majority  of  cases, 
is  obliged  to  rely  almost  solely  upon  objective  symptoms,  and  perhaps 
in  no  class  of  diseases  is  this  more  true  than  in  the  exploration  of  those 
under  consideration.  This  condition  of  affairs  has  a  strong  tendency  to 
develop  observation  and  discernment  in  the  veterinarian,  and  not  infre- 
quently do  we  find  that  the  successful  veterinary  practitioner  is  a  very 
accurate  diagnostician.  But  in  order  to  make  a  differential  diagnosis 
it  is  not  only  necessary  to  have  a  knowledge  of  the  structure  and  func- 
tions of  the  organs  in  health,  but  to  adopt  a  rigid  system  of  details  of 
examination,  without  which  successful  results  can  not  be  reached. 

History. — The  history  of  a  case  should  always  be  ascertained  so  far 
as  possible.  The  information  obtained  is  sometimes  unsatisfactory 
and  not  to  be  depended  upon,  but  even  when  such  is  the  case  it  is 
advisable  to  weigh  the  evidence  from  every  point  of  view. 

In  connection  with  the  history  of  every  case  it  is  always  of  primary 
importance  to  ascertain  the  cause  of  illness.  A  knowledge  of  the 
origin  and  development  of  a  disease  is  important,  both  in  making  a 
diagnosis  and  in  formulating  the  treatment.  Exposure  to  cold  and 
dampness  is  frequently  the  exciting  cause  of  affections  of  the  organs 
of  respiration. 

The  experienced  practitioner  is  always  sure  to  ascertain  whether  the 
particular  animal  he  is-  called  on  to  attend  is  the  only  one  in  the  stable 
or  on  the  premises  that  is  similarly  affected.  If  several  animals  are 
similarly  affected  the  disease  may  have  a  common  cause,  which  may 
or  may  not  be  of  an  infectious  nature. 

Another  thing  that  the  experienced  practitioner  ascertains  is  what 
previous  treatment,  if  any,  the  animal  has  had.  Medicine  given  in 
excessive  doses  sometimes  produces  symptoms  resembling  those  of 
disease. 

85 


86  DISEASES   OF   CATTLE. 

The  hygienic  and  sanitary  conditions  have  always  to  be  considered 
in  connection  with  the  cause  as  well  as  the  treatment  of  disease. 
Much  of  the  disease  which  occurs  in  large  dairies,  as  well  as  else- 
where, could  be  prevented  if  owners  and  those  in  charge  of  animals 
had  proper  regard  for  the  fundamental  laws  of  animal  hygiene  and 
modern  sanitation.  Disregard  for  these  laws  is  the  cause  of  most  of 
the  diseases  under  consideration  in  this  chapter. 

Attitude  and  general  condition. — The  feeling  of  pain  in  animals 
suffering  from  serious  affections  of  the  organs  of  respiration  is 
expressed  to  the  close  observer  in  no  uncertain  language — by  their 
flinching  when  the  painful  part  is  touched ;  by  the  care  with  which 
they  move  or  lie  down;  by  walking  or  standing  to  "favor"  the  part; 
by  the  general  attitude  and  expression  of  the  eye ;  by  the  distress  and 
suffering  apparent  in  the  face  of  the  sick  animal;  and  by  other 
evidences. 

The  general  physical  condition  and  attitude  of  the  sick  animal  tell 
much  to  the  careful  observer  that  aids  him  in  making  a  diagnosis  and 
prognosis.  Cows  suffering  from  affections  of  the  organs  of  respira- 
tion usually  assume  a  position  or  attitude  that  is  characteristic,  well 
known  to  experienced  stockmen  as  well  as  to  veterinarians.  When 
an  animal  has  a  fever  or  is  suffering  from  an  inflammation,  the  skin 
is  one  of  the  first  parts  of  the  body  to  undergo  a  change  that  is 
apparent  to  the  average  observer.  The  skin  soon  loses  its  elasticity 
and  tone  and  the  hair  becomes  dry  and  staring. 

From  the  general  condition  or  state  of  nutrition  one  is  able  to  judge 
the  effect  that  the  disease  has  already  had  upon  the  animal  and  to 
estimate  the  amount  of  strength  remaining  available  for  its  restora- 
tion to  health ;  from  the  amount  of  emaciation  one  can  approximate  as 
to  the  length  of  time  the  animal  has  been  ill.  The  age  and  breed  of 
the  animal,  as  well  as  its  constitution  and  temperament,  are  among  the 
things  that  have  to  be  taken  into  account  in  making  a  diagnosis  and 
in  overcoming  the  disease. 

The  mucous  membrane. — The  mucous  membrane  should  in  all  cases 
be  examined.  It  can  be  readily  seen  by  everting  the  eyelids  or  by 
an  inspection  of  the  lining  membrane  of  the  nostrils. 

Paleness  of  the  mucous  membrane  indicates  weak  circulation  or 
poor  blood.  It  may  result  from  inappropriate  food,  from  disease,  or 
from  hemorrhage. 

In  healthy  animals  increased  redness  of  the  mucous  membrane 
occurs  from  pain,  excitement,  severe  exertion,  and  in  such  instances 
is  always  transitory.  In  certain  pathological  conditions,  such  as  fevers 
and  inflammation,  this  condition  of  the  mucous  membrane  will  also  be 
found.  The  increased  redness  of  the  mucous  membrane  lasts  during 
the  duration  of  the  fever  or  inflammation. 

A  bluish  or  blue  mucous  membrane  indicates  that  the  blood  is 
imperfectly  oxidized,  and  contains  an  excess  of  carbon  dioxid,  and 


NONCONTAGIOUS    DISEASES   OF   RESPIRATION    ORGANS.  87 

is  seen  in  serious  diseases  of  the  respiratory  tract,  such  as  pneumonia 
and  in  heart  failure. 

The  secretions. — The  secretions  maybe  either  diminished,  increased, 
or  perverted.  In  the  early  stage  of  an  inflammation  of  a  secretory 
organ  its  secretion  is  diminished.  In  the  early  stage  of  pleurisy  the 
serous  membrane  is  dry,  and  as  the  disease  advances  the  membrane 
becomes  unnaturally  moist.  The  products  of  secretion  are  some- 
times greatly  changed  in  character  from  the  secretion  in  health, 
becoming  excessively  irritant  and  yielding  evidence  of  chemical  and 
other  alterations  in  the  character  of  the  secretion. 

Cough. — Cough  depends  upon  a  reflex  nervous  action,  and  may  be 
primary  when  the  irritation  exists  in  the  lungs  or  air  passages,  or  sec- 
ondary when  due  to  irritation  of  the  stomach,  intestines,  or  other 
parts  having  nervous  communications  with  the  respiratory  apparatus. 
A  cough  is  said  to  be  dry,  moist,  harsh,  hollow,  difficult,  paroxysmal, 
suppressed,  sympathetic,  etc.,  according  to  its  character.  Cough  is 
a  very  important  symptom,  often  being  diagnostic  in  diseases  of  the 
respiratory  organs ;  but  this  is  a  subject  which  can  be  more  satisfac- 
torily treated  in  connection  with  the  special  diseases  of  the  organs  in 
question. 

Respiration. — In  making  an  examination  of  an  animal  observe  the 
depth,  frequency,  quickness,  facility,  and  the  nature  of  the  respira- 
tory movements.  They  may  be  quick  or  slow,  frequent  or  infrequent, 
deep  or  imperfect,  labored,  unequal,  irregular,  etc.,  each  of  which  has 
its  significance  to  the  educated  and  experienced  veterinarian. 

Sleep,  rumination,  pregnancy  in  cows,  etc.,  modify  the  respiratory 
movements  even  in  health.  Respiration  consists  of  two  acts — inspira- 
tion and  expiration.  The  function  of  respiration  is  to  take  in  oxygen 
from  the  atmospheric  air,  which  is  essential  for  the  maintenance  of 
life,  and  to  exhale  the  deleterious  gas  known  as  "carbon  dioxid." 

The  frequency  of  the  respiratory  movements  is  determined  by 
observing  the  motions  of  the  nostrils  or  of  the  flanks.  The  normal 
rate  of  respiration  for  a  healthy  animal  of  the  bovine  species  is  from 
fifteen  to  eighteen  times  per  minute.  The  extent  of  the  respiratory 
system  renders  it  liable  to  become  affected  by  contiguity  to  many 
parts,  and  its  nervous  connections  are  very  important. 

Rapid,  irregular,  or  difficult  breathing  is  known  as  dyspnea,  and 
the  animal  in  all  such  cases  has  difficulty  in  obtaining  the  amount  of 
oxygen  that  it  requires.  Among  the  conditions  that  give  rise  to  dysp- 
nea may  be  mentioned  restricted  area  of  active  lung  tissue,  due  to 
filling  of  portions  of  the  lungs  with  inflammatory  exudate,  as  in  pneu- 
monia; painful  movements  of  the  chest,  as  in  rheumatism  or  pleurisy; 
fluid  in  the  chest  cavity,  as  in  hydrothorax ;  adhesions  between  the 
lungs  and  chest  walls;  compression  of  the  lungs  or  loss  of  elasticity; 
excess  of  carbon  dioxide  in  the  blood;  weakness  of  the  respiratory 
passages ;  tumors  of  the  nose  and  paralysis  of  the  throat ;  swellings  of 


88  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

the  throat;  foreign  bodies  and  constriction  of  the  air  passages  leading 
to  the  lungs;  fevers,  etc. 

As  already  alluded  to,  it  is  only  the  careful  and  constant  examina- 
tion of  animals  in  health  that  will  enable  one  properly  to  appreciate 
abnormal  conditions.  One  must  become  familiar  with  the  frequency 
and  character  of  the  pulse  and  of  the  respirations,  must  know  the  tem- 
perature of  the  animal  in  health,  before  changes  in  abnormal  condi- 
tions can  be  properly  appreciated. 

Temperature. — The  temperature  should  be  taken  in  all  cases  of  sick- 
ness. Experienced  practitioners  can  approximate  the  patient's  tem- 
perature with  remarkable  accuracy,  but  I  would  strongly  recommend 
the  use  of  the  self -registering  clinical  thermometer,  which  is  a  most 
valuable  instrument  in  diagnosing  diseases.  (See  PI.  Ill,  fig.  1.) 
It  is  advisable  that  a  tested  instrument  be  procured,  as  some  ther- 
mometers in  the  market  are  inaccurate  and  misleading.  The  proper 
place  to  insert  the  thermometer  is  in  the  rectum.  The  instrument 
should  be  rested  against  the  walls  of  the  cavity  for  about  throe 
minutes.  The  normal  temperature  of  the  bovine  is  101°  to  102°  F., 
which  is  higher  than  that  of  the  horse.  A  cow  breathes  faster,  her 
heart  beats  faster,  and  her  internal  temperature  is  higher  than  that 
of  the  horse.  Ordinary  physiological  influences — such  as  exercise, 
digestion,  etc. — give  rise  to  slight  variations  of  internal  temperature; 
but  if  the  temperature  rises  two  or  three  degrees  above  the  standard, 
some  diseased  condition  is  indicated. 

Pulse. — The  pulse  in  a  grown  animal  of  the  bovine  species  in  a  state 
of  good  health  beats  from  forty-five  to  fifty-five  times  per  minute. 
Exercise,  fright,  fear,  excitement,  overfeeding,  pregnancy,  and  other 
physiological  conditions,  as  well  as  disease,  may  affect  the  frequency 
and  character  of  the  pulse.  It  assumes  various  characters  according 
to  its  rapidity  of  beat,  frequency  of  occurrence,  resistance  to  pres- 
sure, regularity,  and  perceptibility.  Thus  we  have  the  quick  and 
slow,  frequent  and  infrequent,  hard  and  soft,  full  and  imperceptible, 
large  and  small  pulses,  the  characters  of  which  may  be  determined 
from  their  names;  also  that  form  known  as  the  intermittent,  either 
regular  or  irregular.  We  may  have  a  dicrotic,  or  double,  pulse;  a 
thready  pulse,  which  is  extremely  small  and  scarcely  perceptible; 
the  venous,  or  jugular,  pulse;  the  "running  down"  pulse,  and  so  on. 
(Seep.  73.) 

In  cattle  the  pulse  is  conveniently  felt  over  the  submaxillary  artery 
where  it  winds  around  the  lower  jawbone,  just  at  the  lower  edge  of 
the  flat  muscle  on  the  side  of  the  cheek.  If  the  cow  is  lying  down  the 
pulse  may  be  taken  from  the  metacarpal  artery  on  the  back  part  of  the 
fore  fetlock.  The  pulsations  can  be  felt  from  any  superficial  artery, 
but  in  order  to  ascertain  the  peculiarities  it  is  necessary  to  select  an 
artery  that  may  be  pressed  against  a  bone.  There  is  a  marked  dif- 
ference in  the  normal  or  physiological  pulse  of  the  horse  and  that  of 


NONCONTAGIOUS    DISEASES    OF    RESPIKATION    ORGANS.  89 

the  cow,  that  of  the  horse  being  full  and  rather  tense,  while  in  the 
cow  it  is  soft  and  rolling.  The  pulse  is  faster  in  young  and  in  old 
cattle  than  it  is  in  those  of  middle  age. 

Auscultation. — Auscultation  and  percussion  are  the  chief  methods 
employed  to  determine  the  various  pathological  changes  that  occur 
in  the  respiratory  organs.  Auscultation  is  the  act  of  listening,  and 
may  be  either  mediate  or  immediate.  Mediate  auscultation  is  accom- 
plished by  aid  of  an  instrument  known  as  the  stethoscope,  one 
extremity  of  which  is  applied  to  the  ear  and  the  other  to  the  chest  of 
the  animal.  In  immediate  auscultation  the  ear  is  applied  directly  to 
the  part.  Immediate  auscultation  will  answer  in  a  large  majority  of 
cases.  Auscultation  is  resorted  to  in  cardiac  and  certain  abdominal 
diseases,  but  it  is  mainly  employed  for  determining  the  condition  of 
the  lungs  and  air  passages.  Animals  can  not  give  the  various  phases 
of  respiration  on  demand,  as  can  the  patients  of  the  human  practi- 
tioner. The  organs  themselves  are  less  accessible  than  in  man, 
owing  to  the  greater  bulk  of  tissue  surrounding  them  and  the  pectoral 
position  of  the  fore  extremities,  all  of  which  render  it  more  difficult 
in  determining  pathological  conditions.     (See  PL  VIII.) 

The  air  going  in  and  out  of  the  lungs  makes  a  certain  soft,  rustling 
sound,  known  as  the  vesicular  murmur,  which  can  be  heard  distinctly 
in  a  healthy  state  of  the  animal,  especially  upon  inspiration.  Exer- 
cise accelerates  the  rate  of  respiration  and  intensifies  this  sound. 
The  vesicular  murmur  is  only  heard  where  the  lung  contains  air  and 
its  function  is  active.  The  vesicular  murmur  is  weakened  as  inflam- 
matory infiltration  takes  place  and  when  the  lungs  are  compressed  by 
fluids  in  the  thoracic  cavity,  and  disappears  when  the  lung  becomes 
solidified  in  pneumonia  or  the  chest  cavity  filled  with  fluid  as  in  hydro- 
thorax.  The  bronchial  murmur  is  a  harsh,  blowing  sound,  heard  in 
normal  conditions  by  applying  the  ear  over  the  lower  part  of  the 
trachea,  and  may  be  heard  to  a  limited  extent  in  the  anterior  portions 
of  the  lungs  after  severe  exercise.  The  bronchial  murmur  when 
heard  over  other  portions  of  the  lungs  generally  signifies  that  the 
lung  tissue  has  become  more  or  less  solidified  or  that  fluid  has  col- 
lected in  the  chest  cavity. 

Other  sounds,  known  as  mucous  rales,  are  heard  in  the  lungs  in 
pneumonia  after  the  solidified  parts  begin  to  break  down  at  the  end 
of  the  disease  and  in  bronchitis  where  there  is  an  excess  of  secretion, 
as  well  as  in  other  conditions.  Mucous  rales  are  of  a  gurgling  or 
bubbling  nature.  They  are  caused  by  air  rushing  through  tubes  con- 
taining secretions  or  pus.  They  are  said  to  be  large  or  small  as  they 
are  distinct  or  indistinct,  depending  upon  the  quantity  of  fluid  that 
is  present  and  the  size  of  the  tubes  in  which  the  sound  is  produced. 
According  to  their  character  they  are  divided  into  dry  and  moist. 
The  friction  sound  is  produced  by  the  rubbing  together  of  roughened 
surfaces  and  is  characteristic  of  pleurisy. 


90  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

Percussion. — Percussion  is  that  mode  of  examination  by  which  we 
elicit  sounds  by  striking  or  tapping  over  the  part.  It  may  be  direct 
or  indirect.  If  the  middle  finger  of  the  left  hand  is  placed  firmly  on 
the  chest  and  smartly  tapped  or  struck  with  the  ends  of  the  first  three 
fingers  of  the  right  hand,  the  sound  will  be  noticed  to  be  more  reso- 
nant and  clear  than  when  the  same  procedure  is  practiced  on  a  solid 
part  of  the  body.  This  is  because  the  lungs  are  not  solid,  but  are 
always,  in  health,  well  expanded  with  air.  But  in  certain  pulmonary 
diseases,  as  in  pneumonia,  they  fill  up  and  become  solid,  when  the 
sound  given  out  by  percussing  them  is  dull,  like  that  on  any  other 
solid  part  of  the  animal.  When  fluid  has  collected  in  the  lower  part 
of  the  chest  cavity  the  sound  will  also  be  dull  on  percussion.  Where 
there  is  an  excess  of  air  in  the  chest  cavity,  as  in  emphysema  or  in 
pneumothorax,  the  percussion  sound  becomes  abnormally  loud  and 
clear.  By  practice  on  healthy  animals  the  character  and  boundaries 
of  the  sounds  can  be  so  well  determined  that  any  variations  from  them 
will  be  readily  detected,  and  will  sometimes  disclose  the  presence  of  a 
diseased  condition  when  nothing  else  will. 

Percussion  is  sometimes  practiced  with  the  aid  of  a  special  percus- 
sion hammer  and  an  object  to  strike  upon  known  as  a  pleximeter.  A 
percussion  hammer  is  made  of  rubber  or  has  a  rubber  tip,  so  that 
when  the  pleximeter,  which  is  placed  against  the  side  of  the  animal, 
is  struck  the  impact  will  not  be  accompanied  by  a  noise.  A  percusr 
sion  hammer  and  pleximeter  can  be  purchased  from  any  veterinary 
instrument  maker. 

CATARRH  (COLD   IN   THE   HEAD). 

Nasal  catarrh  is  an  inflammation  of  the  mucous  membranes  of  the 
nostrils  and  upper  air  passages.  Simple  catarrh  is  not  a  serious  disease 
in  itself,  but  if  neglected  is  liable  to  be  complicated  with  laryngitis, 
bronchitis,  pneumonia,  pleurisy,  and  other  diseases  of  the  respiratory 
organs,  which  are  of  a  serious  nature  and  sometimes  fatal.  Catarrh 
is  a  common  disease  among  cattle.  It  is  often  due  to  sudden  expo- 
sure to  wet  and  cold  after  they  have  been  accustomed  to  shelter.  It 
may  arise  from  inhalation  of  irritating  gases.  It  is  sometimes  due  to 
certain  specific  atmospheric  conditions,  and  may  assume  an  enzootic 
form.  It  is  very  debilitating,  and  requires  prompt  and  judicious 
treatment. 

Symptoms. — Redness  of  the  mucous  membranes  of  the  nose,  redness 
and  watering  of  the  eyes.  The  mucous  membrane  first  becomes  dry; 
afterwards  a  watery  discharge  appears,  and  later  on  in  severe  cases 
the  discharge  becomes  mucopurulent.  In  mild  cases  there  is  little  or 
no  fever,  but  in  severe  cases  the  fever  may  run  high.  The  animal 
becomes  dull,  languid,  and  is  not  inclined  to  move  about,  and  the 
appetite  may  become  impaired;  there  is  variable  temperature  of  the 
horns  and  ears.     If  in  a  cow  giving  milk,  the  secretion  diminishes; 


NONCONTAGIOUS    DI8EASE8    OF    RESPIRATION    ORGANS.  91 

the  mucus  from  the  eyes  and  nose  becomes  thicker  and  yellower. 
Afterwards,  as  the  symptoms  increase  in  severity,  the  discharge 
becomes  mucopurulent. 

Treatment. — The  animal  should  be  housed  in  a  well-ventilated  place, 
with  good  hygienic  surroundings.  In  cold  and  damp  weather  it 
should  be  kept  warm  with  blanketing.  Give  hot,  medicated  inha- 
lations in  severe  cases.  If  the  fever  is  high  this  may  be  reduced  by 
giving  nitrate  of  potassium,  from  1  to  2  ounces,  in  the  drinking  water, 
three  times  daily.  Diffusible  stimulants  are  beneficial  in  most  cases. 
Too  much  importance  can  not  be  attached  to  good  nursing.  There  is 
no  necessity  to  resort  to  the  old  system  of  bleeding,  purging,  or  the 
use  of  powerful  sedatives. 

EPISTAXIS  (BLEEDING   FROM   THE   NOSE). 

Bleeding  from  the  nostrils  is  rather  rare  in  cattle.  It  may  arise 
from  any  one  of  a  variety  of  causes,  but  usually  results  from  disease 
or  injury  to  the  mucous  membranes,  or  to  violent  exertions  in  cough- 
ing and  sneezing.  It  is  seldom  serious.  The  bleeding  generally  occurs 
in  drops  from  one  nostril  only,  accompanied  by  sneezing,  and  without 
frothing.  Bleeding  from  the  lungs  comes  from  both  nostrils,  is  bright 
red,  frothy,  and  accompanied  by  a  cough. 

Treatment. — In  many  cases  the  bleeding  will  cease  spontaneously, 
and  all  that  is  necessary  is  to  keep  the  animal  quiet  and  bathe  the 
head  and  nostrils  with  cold  water.  Ascertain  the  cause  of  the  bleed- 
ing and  be  governed  accordingly  in  the  treatment.  In  severe  and 
exceptional  cases,  where  the  hemorrhage  is  persistent  and  long  con- 
tinued, tie  the  animal's  head  to  a  high  rack  or  beam  and  apply  cold 
water,  ice,  or  have  recourse  to  styptic  injections.  If  the  hemorrhage 
is  profuse  and  persistent,  give  either  a  drench  composed  of  1|  drams 
of  acetate  of  lead  dissolved  in  a  pint  of  water  or  1\  drams  of  gallic 
acid  dissolved  in  a  pint  of  water. 

LARYNGITIS  (SORE   THROAT). 

Laryngitis  consists  of  an  inflammation  of  the  mucous  membrane 
lining  the  larynx.  It  may  be  either  a  primary  or  a  secondary  disease, 
complicated  or  uncomplicated.  In  the  majority  of  cases  it  is  due  to 
some  form  of  exposure,  a  sudden  change  from  warm  to  cold  surround- 
ings, or  exposure  to  cold  storms.  It  may  also  arise  from  inhaling 
irritating  gases.  It  may  be  the  result  of  external  violence.  In  an 
acute  attack  of  laryngitis  there  is  an  elevation  of  temperature,  pain 
on  pressure  over  the  region  of  larynx,  violent  paroxysms  of  coughing, 
difficult  and  noisy  respiration.  The  nostrils  are  dilated,  the  nose 
extended,  and  the  animal  has  a  frightened  expression.  There  is 
marked  difficulty  in  swallowing. 

Treatment. — This  consists  of   fomentations  and   hot    applications 


92  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

over  the  throat.  Stimulating  liniments,  mustard  mixed  with  cold 
water  and  well  rubbed  in  with  a  stiff  brush,  or  other  forms  of  counter- 
irritation  may  be  applied  in  severe  cases.  Hot  inhalations  should  be 
frequently  resorted  to,  and  often  afford  much  relief  to  the  suffering 
animal.  In  this  disease  medicines  should  be  given  so  far  as  possible 
in  the  form  of  electuaries  (soft  solid),  on  account  of  the  difficulty  of 
deglutition.  Large  drafts  of  medicines  have  a  tendency  to  produce 
violent  spells  of  coughing,  and  in  this  way  retard  recovery.  The 
subjoined  formula  for  an  electuary  will  be  found  to  answer  the  pur- 
pose in  ordinary  cases:  Chlorate  of  potassium,  pulverized,  8  ounces; 
fluid  extract  of  belladonna,  2  ounces;  powdered  opium,  1  ounce;  pow- 
dered licorice  root,  8  ounces;  sirup,  sufficient  quantity;  mix.  At 
frequent  intervals  place  a  small  tablespoonful  of  the  mixture  on  the 
tongue  or  back  teeth.  Or  the  following  may  be  used  instead;  Aloes, 
powdered  opium,  and  gum  camphor  in  equal  parts;  mix.  Rub  an 
ounce  on  the  molar  teeth  every  four  or  five  hours.  The  bowels  should 
be  kept  open  and  the  diet  should  be  such  as  the  patient  can  easily 
swallow.  Warm,  sloppy  mashes,  boiled  oatmeal  gruel,  linseed  tea, 
and  the  like  are  the  most  suitable  substances.  If  suffocation  be 
threatened  during  the  course  of  the  disease  tracheotomy  should 
be  performed  without  delay.  The  details  of  the  operation  are  fully 
described  under  the  head  of  "Surgical  operations."     (See  p.  292.) 

When  the  disease  assumes  a  chronic  form  strong  counterirritation 
is  indicated.  A  cantharides  blister  may  be  applied,  or  the  following 
ointment  may  be  used:  Biniodid  of  mercury  1  part,  lard  6  parts; 
mix.  In  some  cases  it  will  be  found  necessary  to  repeat  the  above 
application. 

BRONCHITIS. 

Bronchitis  is  an  inflammation  of  the  mucous  membrane  of  the 
bronchial  tubes.  When  a  primary  disease  it  is  generally  the  result 
of  what  is  commonly  known  as  "catching  cold."  It  may  be  secondary 
to  or  complicated  with  many  of  the  diseases  of  the  respiratory  system. 
It  may  also  be  caused  by  breathing  irritating  gases;  or  by  the  intro- 
duction of  foreign  bodies  into  the  bronchial  tubes,  which  sometimes 
results  from  injudicious  and  careless  drenching  when  the  larynx  is  in 
a  temporarily  relaxed  state.  It  may  be  acute  or  chronic,  and  is 
divided,  according  to  the  seat  of  the  inflammation,  into  bronchitis 
proper  where  the  large  tubes  are  affected,  or  capillary  bronchitis 
where  the  smaller  tubes  are  affected. 

Symptoms. — Loss  of  appetite,  elevation  of  temperature,  generally 
104°  or  105°  F.  The  inspiration  is  incomplete,  short,  and  painful, 
and  the  expiration  is  prolonged.  The  pulse  is  increased  in  frequency 
and  is  hard.  A  characteristic  and  painful  cough  is  present,  but  it  is 
paroxysmal  and  incomplete.  Auscultation  and  percussion  greatly 
aid  us  in  a  diagnosis.     A  normal  sound  is  observed  on  percussion. 


NONCONTAGIOUS    DISEASES    OF    RESPIRATION    ORGANS.  93 

On  auscultation,  in  the  early  stages,  rhonchus  rales  are  detected  if 
the  larger  tubes  are  affected,  and  sibilant  rales  if  the  smaller  tubes 
are  affected.  Later  on  mucous  rales  are  noted,  and  sometimes  all 
sounds  in  certain  parts  are  absent,  which  is  due  to  the  plugging  up 
of  the  tubes.  This  plugging  of  the  tubes,  if  extensive  enough,  is 
sometimes  the  cause  of  death,  or  death  may  result  from  extension  of 
the  disease  to  the  lungs  or  pleura. 

Treatment. — The  animal  should  be  placed  in  a  light,  well- ventilated 
box,  and  the  bowels  kept  in  a  soft  condition  by  enemas,  etc.  Avoid 
violent  purgatives.  The  body  should  be  kept  warm  by  blanketing.  In 
the  early  stages  give  three  times  daily  a  draft  composed  as  follows: 
Extract  of  belladonna,  2  drams;  solution  of  acetate  of  ammonium,  4 
fluid  ounces;  water,  one-half  pint.  In  the  later  stage  of  the  disease 
substitute  the  following  formula,  which  may  be  given  twice  daily :  Car- 
bonate of  ammonium,  3  drams;  liquor  hydrochlorate  of  strychnine,  2 
fluid  drams;  spirits  of  nitrous  ether,  1  fluid  ounce;  water,  one-half 
pint. 

In  some  cases  the  following  is  preferable  to  either  of  the  above,  and 
may  be  given  in  a  pint  of  linseed  tea  every  four  hours:  Spirits  of 
nitrous  ether,  1^  ounces;  aromatic  spirits  of  ammonia,  2  ounces; 
powdered  camphor,  2  drams.    The  food  should  be  light  and  nutritious. 

Bronchitis  is  liable  to  assume  a  chronic  form  if  not  properly  treated 
in  the  earliest  stage.  Remedial  treatment  is  of  little  value  when  the 
disease  becomes  chronic. 

PLEURISY. 

Pleurisy  is  an  inflammation  of  the  serous  membrane  lining  the 
chest  cavity  and  enveloping  the  lungs.  It  is  somewhat  rare  as  an 
independent  disease,  but  it  often  complicates  pneumonia;  indeed,  it  is 
often  due  to  the  same  germ  that  causes  pneumonia — pneumococcus.  It 
majr  arise  from  exposure  to  cold  or  wet  or  from  external  violence  and 
is  usually  present  in  some  degree  in  cases  where  the  ribs  have  been 
fractured  with  or  without  a  penetrated  wound. 

Symptoms. — In  the  first  stage  there  is  great  pain  aggravated  by 
movement,  and  the  animal  is  usually  stiff  as  though  foundered,  the 
pulse  is  quick  and  hard,  the  breathing  abdominal,  the  chest  being  fixed 
so  far  as  possible,  the  inspiration  short  and  jerky,  the  expiration 
longer.  The  pain  is  due  to  the  friction  of  the  dry,  inflamed  pleural 
surfaces  of  the  lung  and  chest  on  each  other.  At  this  stage  the  ear 
detects  a  dry  friction  murmur  resembling  somewhat  the  sound  made 
by  rubbing  two  pieces  of  sole  leather  together.  Pressure  between 
the  ribs  gives  pain  and  usually  causes  the  animal  to  flinch  and  grunt. 
The  muzzle  is  hot  and  dry,  the  mouth  slimy,  and  the  secretions  scanty. 
After  a  day  or  two  the  severity  of  the  symptoms  is  much  lessened, 
the  temperature,  which  during  the  first  days  may  have  been  as  high 
as  106°  F.,  falls  to  103°  or  104°,  the  pain  decreases,  the  stiffness  dis- 


94  DISEASES    OF   CATTLE. 

appears,  and  the  patient  eats  a  little.  The  pulse  softens,  but  remains 
quicker  than  normal.  Now,  day  by  day  the  patient  loses  a  little 
strength,  the  friction  sound  disappears  as  the  exudation  moistens 
the  pleural  surfaces;  percussion  now  shows  a  horizontal  line  of  dull- 
ness, which  day  by  day  rises  higher  in  the  chest,  the  respiration  grows 
more  frequent  and  labored,  the  countenance  is  anxious  and  haggard, 
the  eyes  sink  somewhat  in  their  sockets,  and  in  unfavorable  cases  death 
occurs  during  the  second  or  third  week,  either  from  asphyxia  or  heart 
failure. 

In  pleurisy,  as  in  pneumonia,  the  elbows  are  usually  turned  outward. 
Care  must  be  taken  to  differentiate  pleurisy  from  traumatic  pericar- 
ditis (which  see).  In  the  latter  condition  the  area  of  dullness  of  the 
heart  is  much  increased,  and  usually  a  splashing  sound  is  heard  at 
each  beat  of  the  heart!  Another  diagnostic  symptom  of  value  is  that 
in  traumatic  pericarditis  respiration  is  painful,  not  difficult,  and  the 
respiratory  rate  is  very  much  increased  on  movement.  In  both  con- 
ditions a  considerable  swelling  of  the  dewlap  may  be  noticed  in  the 
later  stages. 

Treatment. — Give  the  same  general  care  as  recommended  in  bron- 
chitis or  pneumonia.  In  the  early  stages  give  a  febrifuge  to  reduce 
the  fever,  as  directed  for  pneumonia.  For  relief  of  the  cough  give 
electuary  formula,  which  will  be  found  in  the  treatment  of  laryngitis. 
The  bowels  must  be  kept  relaxed  and  the  kidneys  secreting  freely. 
In  the  stage  of  effusion  give  the  following  three  times  daily:  Digitalis 
tincture,  1  ounce;  iodid  of  potassium,  30  to  GO  grains;  mix.  Apply 
strong  counterirritant  to  chest  and  put  seton  in  dewlap.  (See  "  Seton- 
ing,"  p.  291.)  If  collapse  of  the  lung  is  threatened,  a  surgical  opera- 
tion is  sometimes  performed,  termed  paracentesis  thoracis,  which 
consists  in  puncturing  the  chest  cavity  and  drawing  off  a  part  of  the 
fluid.  The  instruments  used  are  a  small  trocar  and  canula,  which 
are  introduced  between  the  eighth  and  ninth  ribs.  Draw  the  skin 
forward  so  that  the  external  wound  may  not  correspond  with  the 
puncture  of  the  chest,  to  prevent  the  entrance  of  air.  Only  a  portion 
of  the  fluid  should  be  removed.  The  animal  gets  immediate  relief, 
but  it  is  generally  only  temporary,  as  there  is  a  tendency  for  the  fluid 
to  accumulate  again. 

PNEUMONIA. 

This  is  an  inflammation  of  the  lung  substance.  It  is  divided  into 
three  different  forms,  viz:  First,  croupous  pneumonia;  second, 
catarrhal  pneumonia;  and  third,  interstitial  pneumonia.  But  these 
various  forms  can  only  be  differentiated  by  the  expert,  and  I  there- 
fore deem  it  necessary  for  the  purposes  of  the  present  work  to  treat 
the  subject  under  the  general  head  of  pneumonia. 

The  causes  of  pneumonia  in  general  are  the  same  as  those  of  the 


NONCONTAGIOUS    DISEASES   OF   RESPIRATION    ORGANS.  95 

various  other  inflammatory  diseases  of  the  respiratory  tract.  The 
germ  is  called  the  pneumococcus.  It  mostly  follows  congestion  of 
the  lungs,  but  may  in  rare  cases  have  a  parasitic  origin. 

Symptoms. — In  the  first  stage,  that  of  congestion,  the  disease  is 
usually  ushered  in  by  a  chill,  although  this  may  not  always  be 
observed  by  the  attendant.  This  is  followed  by  an  elevation  of  tem- 
perature, usually  105°  to  106°  F.,  or  it  may  be  even  higher.  The 
respirations  are  quick  and  shallow;  the  nostrils  are  dilated;  the  pulse 
is  full  and  hard.  Cough  may  or  may  not  appear  in  this  stage.  The 
nose  is  hot  and  dry ;  the  tongue  sometimes  protrudes  and  is  slimy ; 
the  coat  is  staring,  and  the  skin  dry  and  harsh.  The  urine  is  usually 
diminished  in  quantity,  high  colored,  and  the  bowels  constipated. 
The  animal  stands  with  the  fore  legs  wide  apart  to  facilitate  respira- 
tion. On  auscultation  crepitation  will  be  observed  over  the  portion 
of  the  lung  affected.  The  sounds  elicited  on  percussion  are  practi- 
cally normal  in  this  stage. 

In  the  second  stage  the  temperature  generally  drops  one  or  two 
degrees,  and  respiration  is  performed  with  much  difficulty.  The 
cough  is  frequent  and  painful.  The  animal  still  stands  with  the  fore 
legs  wide  apart  and  the  elbows  turned  outward.  If  it  assumes  the 
recumbent  position  it  rests  on  the  sternum.  All  secretions  are  more 
or  less  suspended,  particularly  the  milk  in  cows.  The  animal  has  a 
haggard  appearance,  and  the  pulse  becomes  small  and  wiry  at  this 
period.  The  extremities  are  hot  and  cold  alternately;  the  crepitation 
which  was  present  in  the  first  stage  is  now  absent,  and  no  sound  on 
auscultation  will  be  heard,  except  it  be  a  slight  wheezing  or  whistling 
noise.  On  percussion  dullness  over  the  diseased  lung  is  manifested, 
indicating  consolidation.  The  lung  has  now  assumed  a  characteristic 
liver-like  appearance. 

In  the  third  stage,  if  the  disease  is  going  to  terminate  favorably, 
the  cough  becomes  loose,  the  animal  improves,  the  appetite  returns, 
and  the  symptoms  above  detailed  rapidly  subside;  but  if,  on  the 
other  hand,  resolution  is  not  progressing,  the  lung  substance  is  broken 
down,  is  heavy,  and  will  sink  in  water.  In  fatal  cases  the  breath  has 
a  peculiar  fetid,  cadaverous  odor,  and  is  taken  in  short  gasps;  the 
horns,  ears,  and  extremities  become  cold  and  clammy,  and  the  pulse 
is  imperceptible.  On  auscultation,  when  suppuration  is  taking  place 
and  the  lung  structure  is  breaking  down,  a  bubbling  or  gurgling  crepi- 
tation, caused  by  the  passage  of  air  through  pus,  will  be  heard. 

Treatment. — Good  hygienic  surroundings  and  good  nursing  are 
essential  in  connection  with  the  medical  treatment.  The  probability 
of  recovery  depends  largely  on  the  extent  of  the  lung  tissue  involved, 
as  well  as  on  the  intensity  of  the  inflammatory  process.  In  the  early 
stage,  when  the  fever  is  high,  give  febrifuges.  If  the  pulse  be  strong 
and  full,  aconite  (Fleming's  tincture,  1  to  2  drams,  every  four  or  five 


96  DISEASES    OF    OATTLE. 

hours)  may  be  given  for  a  short  time,  but  should  be  discontinued  as 
soon  as  the  fever  begins  to  abate.  Aconite  is  a  valuable  drug  in  the 
hands  of  the  intelligent  practitioner,  but  my  experience  leads  me  to 
believe  that  not  infrequently  animals  are  lost  by  its  injudicious  use, 
for  in  many  febrile  conditions  it  is  positively  contraindicated,  owing 
to  its  action  upon  the  heart.  In  a  plethoric  animal,  with  a  strong, 
bounding  pulse,  bleeding  may  be  resorted  to  instead  of  administering 
aconite.  If  the  bowels  are  constipated,  give  calomel,  1  to  3  drams, 
which  acts  as  a  cathartic  and  a  febrifuge.  In  the  second  stage  dif- 
fusible stimulants  are  required,  viz :  Spirits  of  nitrous  ether,  2  ounces; 
aromatic  spirits  of  ammonia,  1  ounce ;  mix,  and  give  in  gruel  three  times 
daily.  If  the  above  is  not  at  hand,  give  an  alcoholic  stimulant.  Half 
a  pint  of  brandy  or  whisky  may  be  given  in  a  quart  of  gruel  three 
times  daily.  In  some  cases  carbonate  of  ammonia,  2  to  5  drams,  has 
been  found  beneficial.  Most  practitioners  apply  counterirritants 
externally,  such  as  mustard  plasters,  turpentine,  and  ammonia  lini- 
ment, or  cantharides. 

EMPHYSEMA  (HEAVES). 

Emphysema  consists  of  a  rupture  of  the  minute  air  vesicles  of  the 
lung  substance,  and  may  be  either  interlobular  or  vesicular.  There 
is  an  extreme  interference  with  respiration,  inspiration  being  short 
and  expiration  prolonged.  It  is  a  nonfebrile  condition,  in  which  the 
appetite  is  not  decreased  and  the  milk  secretion  is  kept  up.  It  may 
be  caused  by  an  attack  of  asthma:  or  may  result  from  chronic  bron- 
chitis. The  disease  can  be  diagnosed  by  the  marked  interference 
with  respiration.  The  animal,  as  a  rule,  is  emaciated,  has  a  staring 
coat,  and  is  hidebound.  If  percussion  is  resorted  to,  the  animal's 
chest  will  give  a  tympanic,  drum-like  sound.  The  normal  resonant 
sound  is  exaggerated. 

Treatment. — The  disease  is  incurable,  and  only  a  palliative  form  of 
treatment  can  be  carried  out.  The  destruction  of  the  animal  is  often 
advisable,  from  a  humane  as  well  as  from  a  financial  point  of  view. 

PULMONARY   CONGESTION. 

Cattle  that  are  overdriven  or  overworked  are  liable  to  pulmonary 
congestion  in  an  acute  form,  and  sometimes  pulmonarj^  apoplexy.  In 
such  cases  the  animal  should  be  allowed  to  rest,  and  if  the  weather  be 
hot  put  in  a  shady  place.  Give  stimulants  internally,  unload  the 
venous  side  of  the  heart  by  bleeding,  and  apply  stimulating  applica- 
tions to  the  legs,  and  bandage. 

HEMOPTYSIS. 

This  is  a  term  used  to  signify  bleeding  from  the  lungs.  The  trouble 
may  result  from  a  previous  congestion  of  the  lungs,  or  from  a  break- 
ing down  of  the  lung  substance,  or  from  specific  disorders. 


Diseases  of  Cattle. 


PLATE  VIII. 


NONCONTAGIOUS    DISEASES    OF   RESPIRATION    ORGANS.  97 

Bleeding  from  the  lungs  comes  from  both  nostrils  and  from  the 
mouth.  The  blood  is  bright  red,  frothy,  and  accompanied  by  a  cough, 
the  flow  being  somewhat  profuse  and  intermingled  with  mucus.  It 
may  cease  of  its  own  accord.  Internally  hemostatics  are  indicated, 
and  locally  over  the  sides  cold  applications  have  a  tendency  to  check 
the  hemorrhage.  Give  the  animal  a  drench  composed  of  I-|  drams  of 
gallic  acid  dissolved  in  a  "pint  of  water. 

ABSCESS  OF  THE   LUNG. 

Abscesses  of  the  lung  sometimes  form  during  the  course  of  or  sub- 
sequent to  tuberculosis  or  other  diseases.  An  animal  affected  with 
abscess  of  the  lung  usually  has  a  protracted,  feeble  cough  and  a  gen- 
eral appearance  of  emaciation  and  anemia.  The  pulse  is  feeble  and 
the  breath  foul.  An  offensive  discharge  from  the  lungs  frequently 
occurs.  Percussion  and  auscultation  will  aid  in  making  a  diagnosis 
in  this  condition.  The  appetite  is  poor.  Such  animals  go  from  bad 
to  worse,  and  their  prompt  destruction  would,  as  a  rule,  be  to  the 
interest  of  the  owner. 

HYDROTHORAX. 

Hydrothorax,  or  dropsy  of  the  chest,  is  not  a  disease  in  itself,  but 
is  simply  a  condition  where  an  effusion  takes  place  in  the  chest  cavity, 
and  is  the  result  or  effect  of  some  disease,  mostly  pleurisy.  This  con- 
dition can  be  easily  diagnosed  by  physical  signs.  A  loss  of  the  res- 
piratory murmur  will  be  noticed  on  auscultation,  and  on  percussion 
dullness  or  flatness  on  a  line  as  high  as  the  effusion  has  taken  place. 
When  there  is  a  large  amount  of  effusion  present,  tapping  with  the 
trocar  and  canula  is  generally  resorted  to.  The  proper  method  of  per- 
forming this  operation  will  be  found  under  the  head  of  "Pleurisy." 

PNEUMOTHORAX. 

An  accumulation  of  gas  in  the  pleural  sac  is  known  as  pneumo- 
thorax. The  presence  of  air  may  either  result  from  an  injury  of  the 
lung  or  a  wound  communicating  from  the  exterior.  The  indications 
for  treatment  are  to  remove  any  foreign  body  that  may  have  pene- 
trated, to  exclude  the  further  entrance  of  the  air  into  the  cavity  by 
the  closure  of  the  external  opening,  and  to  employ  antiseptics  and 
adhesive  dressings.  The  air  already  in  the  cavity  will  in  most  cases 
be  absorbed. 

VERMINOUS  BRONCHITIS. 

This  is  a  disease  that  sometimes  attacks  young  cattle  when  pas- 
tured in  low-lying  meadows  near  rivers  subject  to  flood.  It  is  caused 
by  a  small  worm,  Strongylus  mici'urus,  which  lodges  in  large  num- 
bers in  the  trachea  and  bronchial  tubes,  giving  rise  to  considerable 

61386—08 7 


98  DISEASES    OF   CATTLE. 

irritation  of  the  air  passages  and  inflammation.  Sometimes  the 
strongyles  lodge  in  large  numbers  in  the  windpipe,  forming  them- 
selves into  a  ball,  and  thus  choke  the  animal  to  death. 

Symptoms. — It  is  liable  to  attack  a  number  of  animals  at  once,  and 
the  weakest  are  the  first  to  give  way.  The  animal  has  a  remarkably 
forcible  cough,  distressing,  and  of  a  special  hacking  and  paroxysmal 
character.  A  stringy  mucus  is  sometimes  expelled  during  the  spells  of 
coughing.  This  mucus  contains  the  Strongylus  micrurus,  which  can 
be  detected,  or  their  ova  observed,  under  a  low  power  of  the  micro- 
scope. The  attack  has  a  subacute  character  and  proves  very  exhaust- 
ing. The  parasites,  by  becoming  entwined  in  balls,  seriously  impede 
respiration,  which  is  always  remarkably  labored  in  this  disease. 

Treatment.— The,  affected  calves  should  be  placed  in  a  dry  stable, 
protected  from  dampness,  and  subjected  to  fumigations  of  sulphurous 
anhydrid  or  chlorin  gas.  The  liberation  of  chlorin  gas  is  brought 
about  by  the  action  of  sulphuric  acid,  either  on  a  mixture  of  chlorid 
of  sodium  and  black  oxid  of  manganese  or  on  bleaching  powder. 
Sulphurous  anhydrid  may  be  procured  by  burning  sulphur.  Some 
practitioners  prescribe  small  doses  of  spirits  of  turpentine  in  linseed 
oil.  The  system  requires  good  support,  and  the  diet  should  therefore 
be  liberal  and  nutritious.  Equal  parts  of  sulphate  of  iron,  gentian, 
and  ginger  make  an  excellent  tonic. 

Prevention. — Avoid  pastures  notorious  for  generating  verminous 
bronchitis. 

PLEURODYNIA. 

This  is  a  term  applied  to  rheumatism  of  the  intercostal  muscles. 
The  apparent  symptoms  are  quite  similar  to  those  of  pleurisy.  The 
animal  is  stiff  and  not  inclined  to  turn  around,  and  the  ribs  are  kept 
in  a  fixed  state  as  much  as  possible.  Pleurodynia  may  be  distinguished 
from  pleurisy  by  the  coexistence  of  rheumatism  in  other  parts  and 
by  the  comparative  absence  of  fever,  cough,  the  friction  sound,  and 
the  effusion  into  the  chest.  The  treatment  for  this  affection  is  the 
same  as  that  for  rheumatism  affecting  other  parts. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  NERVOUS  SYSTEM. 

By  W.  H.  Harbaugh,  V.  S. 

[Revised  in  1904  by  Leonard  Pearson,  B.  S.,  V.  M.  D.] 

The  nervous  system  is  the  distinguishing  feature  of  animal  life; 
without  it  there  can  be  no  intelligence,  no  instinct,  no  sensibility,  no 
perception ;  in  fact,  existence  would  be  nothing  more  than  vegetable 
life. 

The  senses — touch,  taste,  sight,  hearing,  smell — all  depend  on  the 
nervous  system.  Motion  depends  on  it.  A  muscle  can  not  contract 
without  receiving  the  stimulus  from  the  nervous  system.  For  exam- 
ple, if  a  nerve  passing  from  a  nerve  center  to  a  muscle  is  severed,  the 
particular  muscle  that  is  supplied  by  the  cut  nerve  is  paralyzed. 

The  nervous  system  is  often  studied  in  two  divisions — the  cerebro- 
spinal division  and  the  sympathetic  division. 

The  cerebrospinal  division  consists  of  the  brain  and  spinal  cord, 
nerves,  and  ganglia.  The  nerves  of  this  division  convey  the  impulses 
of  motion  and  sensation,  and  supply  all  parts  which  are  under  the 
control  of  the  will.  For  example,  the  voluntary  muscular  tissue 
includes  all  the  muscles  which  act  as  the  will  directs.  Another 
example,  if  anything  comes  in  contact  with  any  part  of  the  skin,  the 
impression  is  immediately  perceived.  All  the  special  senses  belong 
to  this  division. 

The  sympathetic  division  consists  of  nerves  and  ganglia.  The  mus- 
cular tissue,  which  acts  independently  of  the  will — as,  for  example,  the 
stomach,  intestines,  womb,  blood  vessels,  ducts,  etc. — is  called  invol- 
untary muscular  tissue,  and  receives  nervous  stimulus  from  the  sym- 
pathetic division. 

The  brain,  spinal  cord,  and  the  ganglia  are  the  central  organs  of  the 
nervous  system.  The  nerves  conduct  the  nervous  influence.  The 
nerves  terminate  differently  according  to  their  function.  The  termi- 
nations are  called  end  organs.  The  terminal  end  organs  in  the  skin 
and  other  parts  endowed  with  sensation  receive  the  impressions,  which 
are  conveyed  to  the  brain,  where  they  are  appreciated.  They  are  so 
sensitive  that  the  most  gentle  zephyr  is  perceived.  They  are  so  abun- 
dant that  the  point  of  the  finest  needle  can  not  pierce  the  skin  with- 
out coming  in  contact  with  them,  and  the  sensation  of  pain  is  instantly 
conveyed  to  the  brain.  The  terminal  end  organs  of  the  nerves  that 
supply  the  muscles  are  different,  as  they  give  the  impulse  which  is 

99 


100  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

conveyed  by  the  motor  nerves  to  the  elements  which  constitute  the 
muscle,  and  this  impulse  is  the  excitation  which  causes  the  muscle  to 
contract.  The  terminal  end  organs  of  the  special  senses  of  taste, 
smell,  etc.,  receive  their  special  impressions,  and  their  respective 
nerves  carry  the  impressions  to  the  brain. 

There  are  two  divisions  of  nerves,  the  afferent  and  efferent. 

The  afferent  nerves  are  those  which  convey  the  impression  to  the 
nerve  centers.     Ail  the  sensory  nerves  belong  to  this  division. 

The  efferent  nerves  are  those  which  convej*  the  nervous  impulse  out- 
ward from  the  nerve  centers,  and  they  are  further  classified  according 
to  the  function  of  their  respective  centers.  For  example :  Motor  fibers 
carry  the  impulse  from  the  nerve  center  to  a  muscle  to  cause  contrac- 
tion. Vaso-motor  fibers  carry  the  impulse  to  the  muscular  tissue  in 
the  blood  vessels,  which  regulates  their  caliber.  The  secretory  fibers 
convey  the  impulse  to  the  cells  of  the  glands  and  excite  the  activity 
of  the  gland,  and  its  particular  product  is  secreted  or  evolved,  as,  for 
instance,  milk  in  the  mammary  gland.  Inhibitory  fibers  control  or 
inhibit  the  action  of  the  organ  to  which  they  are  distributed,  as,  for 
instance,  the  heart. 

Nerve  centers  may  be  considered  as  a  collection  or  group  of  nerve 
cells.  Both  the  cerebro-spinal  and  the  sympathetic  divisions  have 
nerve  centers.  The  centers  derive  their  special  names  from  their 
functions.  The  brain  is  the  great  center  of  the  nervous  system,  as  it 
is  the  center  of  intelligence  and  perception.  The  centers  of  all  the 
special  senses,  as  well  as  the  centers  of  various  functions,  are  located 
in  different  parts  of  the  brain.  Nerve  centers  also  exist  in  the  spinal 
cord  and  in  connection  with  the  sympathetic  system. 

A  nerve  is  a  cord  consisting  of  a  certain  number  of  fibers  of  nerve 
tissue,  inclosed  in  a  sheath  of  connective  tissue.  Nerves  divide  and 
subdivide,  sending  off  branches,  which  ramify  in  all  parts  of  the 
body,  and,  as  they  near  their  terminations,  thejT  contain  but  one  or 
two  fibers. 

The  brain  and  spinal  cord  are  contained  within  a  bony  canal,  which 
forms  a  protective  covering  for  them. 

The  spinal  cord,  or  spinal  marrow,  lodged  within  the  spinal  canal, 
or  hollow  of  the  backbone,  is  continuous  with  the  brain  anteriorly, 
and  terminates  in  a  point  in  the  sacrum  (that  part  of  the  spinal 
column  which  immediately  precedes  the  tail).  The  spinal  cord  gives 
off  branches  at  each  of  the  spaces  between  the  segments  of  the  back- 
bone. These  branches  form  nerve  trunks  which  carry  both  sensory 
and  motor  impressions  and  impulses.  The  spinal  cord  is  a  grand 
nerve  trunk  to  carry  messages  to  or  from  the  brain  and  to  and  from 
the  reflex  centers  contained  within  itself. 

The  brain  is  contained  within  the  cavity  of  the  skull  and  is  con- 
tinuous with  the  spinal  cord;  there  is  nothing  to  mark  the  place 
where  one  leaves  off  and  the  other  begins.     The  brain  is  the  seat  of 


DISEASES    OF   THE    NERVOUS   SYSTEM.  101 

reason  and  intelligence.  Voluntary  effort  originates  from  the  brain. 
Coordination,  or  harmony  of  movement,  is  controlled  by  the  rear 
portion  of  the  brain,  known  as  the  cerebellum. 

The  meninges  are  the  membranes,  three  in  number,  which  envelop 
the  brain  and  spinal  cord,  and  separate  them  from  the  bones  which 
form  the  walls  of  the  cranial  cavity  and  spinal  canal. 

The  sympathetic,  also  called  the  ganglionic,  division  of  the  nervous 
system  consists  of  two  chains  of  ganglia,  reaching  from  the  head  to 
the  tail,  situated  beneath  the  spinal  column,  one  on  either  side.  The 
presence  of  the  ganglia  or  enlargements  on  the  cords  give  them  their 
chain-like  appearance. 

The  sympathetic  nerves  are  closely  connected  with  the  cerebro- 
spinal nerves,  but  are  not  under  the  control  of  the  will. 

INFLAMMATION   OF  THE   BRAIN   AND   ITS  MEMBRANES  (  STAGGERS). 

Inflammation  of  the  brain  is  technically  termed  encephalitis  and 
of  its  membranes  cerebral-meningitis,  but  as  both  conditions  usually 
occur  together,  and  since  it  is  practically  impossible  to  distinguish 
one  from  the  other  by  the  symptoms  shown  by  the  diseased  animal, 
they  may  as  well  be  considered  together  here  as  varieties  of  the  same 
disease.  Staggers,  coma,  frenzy,  etc.,  are  terms  that  are  sometimes 
applied  to  tliis  disease  in  its  different  forms  or  stages. 

Causes. — Severe  blows  on  the  head  with  a  hard  object,  or  the  head 
coming  violently  in  contact  with  the  ground  or  other  hard  substance 
in  a  fall,  may  be  followed  by  encephalitis.  Irritation  caused  by 
tumors  in  the  brain  may  produce  inflammation.  Food  containing 
deleterious  matters — for  example,  ergot  (see  PI.  V)  and  other  fungi 
which  contain  a  narcotic  principle — is  the  most  frequent  cause  of  this 
affection,  and  hence  it  is  often  called  "grass  staggers  "and  "stomach 
staggers."  Highly  nitrogenous  foods  are  blamed  for  causing  this  dis- 
ease. Parasites,  mineral  and  narcotic  poisons,  hot  weather,  and 
severe  exertion  or  excessive  excitement  may  cause  this  condition. 
Inflammation  of  the  brain  may  occur  as  a  complication  of  some  infec- 
tious disease  or  may  follow  some  forms  of  indigestion.  In  many 
localities  certain  plants  have  the  reputation  of  causing  staggers. 

Symptoms. — The  symptoms  vary  much,  but  a  careful  observer  will 
detect  a  trouble  connected  with  the  nervous  system  without  much 
uncertainty.  The  first  signs  may  be  those  of  frenzy,  but  generally 
at  the  start  the  animal  is  dull  and  sleepy,  with  little  or  no  inclination 
to  move  about;  the  head  may  be  pressed  against  the  wall  or  fence 
and  the  legs  kept  moving,  as  if  the  animal  were  endeavoring  to  walk 
through  the  obstruction ;  the  body,  especially  the  hind  part,  may  be 
leaned  against  the  side  of  the  stall  or  stable,  as  if  for  support.  The 
bowels  are  constipated;  the  urine,  when  passed,  is  small  in  quantity 
and  darker  in  color  than  natural.  There  may  be  trembling  and  even 
spasms  of  muscles  in  different  parts.     In  the  dull  stage  the  animal 


102  DISEASES   OF   CATTLE. 

may  breathe  less  frequently  than  is  natural,  and  each  breath  may  be 
accompanied  with  a  snoring-like  sound.  The  pulse  may  be  large  and 
less  frequent  than  normal.  If  suddenly  aroused  from  the  drowsy 
state,  the  animal  appears  startled  and  stares  wildly.  When  moving 
about  it  may  stagger,  the  hind  quarters  swaying  from  side  to  side. 

If  delirium  ensues,  the  cow  is  commonly  said  to  be  mad.  She  may 
bellow,  stamp  her  feet,  run  about  wildly,  grate  the  teeth,  froth  at  the 
mouth.  If  she  is  confined  in  the  stable,  she  rears  and  plunges;  the 
convulsions  are  so  violent  in  many  instances  that  it  is  really  danger- 
ous for  one  to  attempt  to  render  aid.  The  body  may  be  covered  with 
perspiration.  She  may  fall;  the  muscles  twitch  and  jerk;  often  the 
head  is  raised  and  then  dashed  against  the  ground  until  blood  issues 
from  the  nose  and  mouth ;  the  eyes  may  be  bloodshot  and  sightless ; 
the  limbs  stiff  and  outstretched,  or  they  may  be  kicked  about  reck- 
lessly; the  head  may  be  drawn  back  and  the  tail  drawn  up;  the  urine 
may  be  squirted  out  in  spurts;  often  the  "washer"  (membrane  nicti- 
tans)  is  forced  over  the  eye.  When  the  convulsions  cease  they  may  be 
followed  by  a  period  of  quiet  unconsciousness  (coma)  which  is  more 
or  less  prolonged,  when  the  animal  may  gradually  regain  conscious- 
ness, get  up  on  its  feet,  and  perhaps  quietly  partake  of  food,  if  there 
be  any  within  reach,  while  at  other  times  it  arises  with  much  difficulty 
and  staggers  blindly  about  the  stall  or  field. 

It  must  be  remembered  that  all  the  foregoing  symptoms  are  not 
always  seen  in  the  same  case.  In  those  cases  usually  designated 
"  sleepy  staggers  "  the  general  symptoms  of  drowsiness  are  presented, 
while  in  other  cases  the  symptoms  of  frenzy  cause  the  affection  to  be 
called  "mad  staggers."  In  other  cases  there  are  symptoms  of  paraly- 
sis, swaying  of  the  hind  quarters,  inability  to  rise,  etc. ,  and  sometimes 
these  symptoms  of  paralysis  are  the  most  striking  manifestations  and 
coutinue  until  death.     Acute  cases  are  accompanied  by  fever. 

It  is  well  to  remark  that  when  the  disease  follows  injuries  to  the 
head  the  symptoms  may  not  be  manifested  until  two  or  three  days 
(or  longer)  after  the  accident. 

Treatment. — Recoveries  are  rare  in  spite  of  careful  attention.  To 
be  of  any  service  whatever  the  treatment  must  be  prompt  and  begin 
with  the  disease.  In  the  early  stage  when  the  pulse  is  large  most  cases 
will  admit  of  bleeding.  Eight  or  9  quarts  of  blood  should  be  taken 
from  the  jugular  vein.  This  should  be  followed  immediately  by  a 
purgative,  the  following  for  a  cow  of  average  size:  Epsom  salts,  24 
ounces;  pulverized  gamboge,  one-half  ounce;  croton  oil,  20  drops; 
warm  water,  3  quarts ;  mix  all  together  and  give  at  once  as  a  drench. 
About  2  quarts  of  warm  water  or  warm  soapsuds  should  be  injected 
with  a  syringe  into  the  rectum  every  three  or  four  hours.  It  is  best 
to  keep  the  animal  in  a  quiet,  sheltered  place,  where  it  will  be  free 
from  noise  or  other  cause  of  excitement.  All  the  cold  water  the  animal 
will  drink  should  be  allowed,  but  food  must  be  withheld,  except  bran 


DISEASES    OF   THE    NERVOUS    SYSTEM.  103 

slops  occasionally  in  small  quantities,  or  grass,  if  in  season,  which 
may  be  cut  and  carried  fresh  to  the  patient. 

The  skull  must  be  examined  and  if  sign  of  injury  is  found  appro- 
priate surgical  treatment  should  be  given. 

During  the  convulsions  all  possible  efforts  should  be  made  to  pre- 
vent the  animal  injuring  itself.  The  head  should  be  held  down  on 
the  ground  and  straw  kept  under  it.  Cold  water  may  be  continuously 
poured  on  the  head,  or  bags  filled  with  ice  broken  in  small  pieces 
may  be  applied  to  the  head.  Different  authors  recommend  different 
remedies  to  allay  the  convulsions,  but  for  two  reasons  it  will  be  found 
extremely  difficult  to  administer  medicines  during  the  convulsions: 
(1)  While  the  animal  is  unconscious  the  power  to  swallow  is  lost,  and 
therefore  the  medicine  is  more  liable  "o  go  down  the  windpipe  to  the 
lungs  than  it  is  to  go  to  the  paunch;  (2)  The  convulsions  are  often 
so  violent  that  it  would  be  utterly  useless  to  attempt  to  drench  the 
animal ;  and  furthermore  it  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  during  this 
stage  the  functions  of  digestion  and  absorption  are  suspended,  and  as 
a  consequence  the  medicine  (provided  it  finds  its  way  to  the  paunch) 
is  likely  to  remain  there  unabsorbed  and  therefore  useless. 

A  blistering  compound,  composed  of  mustard,  1  ounce;  pulverized 
cantharides,  one-half  ounce ;  hot  water,  4  ounces,  well  mixed  together, 
may  be  rubbed  in  over  the  loins,  along  the  spine,  and  back  of  the 
head  on  each  side  of  the  neck.  This  is  occasionally  attended  with 
beneficial  effect,  and  especially  so  in  those  cases  when  paralysis  is 
present. 

If  the  purgative  acts  and  the  animal  shows  signs  of  improvement 
in  the  course  of  two  or  three  days,  2  drams  of  iodid  of  potassium  may 
be  given  every  night  and  morning,  dissolved  in  a  half  bucketful  of 
drinking  water,  if  the  animal  will  drink  it,  or  it  may  be  dissolved  in  a 
half  pint  of  water  and  given  as  a  drench.  Great  care  must  be  observed 
in  regard  to  the  food,  which  should  be  nutritive,  but  not  coarse,  and  at 
first  in  small  quantities,  gradually  increased  as  the  patient  improves. 
After  some  progress  is  made  toward  recovery  1^  drams  of  pulverized 
nux  vomica  may  be  given  twice  a  day,  added  to  the  iodid  of  potas- 
sium drench.  This  should  be  administered  so  long  as  a  staggering 
gait  continues. 

In  those  rare  cases  when  recovery  takes  place  it  is  only  partial  as  a 
rule,  as  there  is  generally  a  sequel  which  remains,  such  as  partial 
paralysis.  However,  this  is  but  a  slight  drawback  in  cattle,  because 
when  it  is  seen  to  persist  the  medicine  should  be  stopped  and  the  ani- 
mal fattened  for  butchering. 

Postmortem  examinations  discover  congestion  of  the  brain  and  its 
membranes.  In  those  cases  which  have  exhibited  much  paralysis  of 
the  hind  legs  before  death  the  cord  may  be  congested  in  the  lumbar 
region  (loins).  When  the  disease  has  been  caused  by  injury  to  the 
head,  the  congestion  and  extravasated  blood  may  be  found  inside  of 


104  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

the  cavity  in  the  location  corresponding  to  the  place  where  the  injury 
was  inflicted  externally.  In  some  eases  pus  is  also  discovered.  It 
remains  to  be  said  that  in  all  animals  that  have  died  from  this  affec- 
tion the  lungs  are  found  very  much  congested.  This  may  lead  the 
superficial  observer  to  suppose  that  the  disease  was  a  lung  affection, 
but  in  fact  it  is  only  a  natural  consequence  when  death  ensues  from 
brain  disease. 

APOPLEXY. 

That  form  of  congestion  of  the  brain  known  as  parturient  apoplexy, 
or  parturient  paresis,  which  is  so  frequently  associated  with  the  period 
of  calving,  is  described  in  another  part  of  this  work.  (See  "Milk 
fever,"  p.  222.) 

Cerebral  apoplexy,  not  connected  with  parturition,  is  a  rare  disease 
among  cattle.  However,  it  may  be  due  to  degeneration  and  consequent 
rupture  of  a  blood  vessel  in  the  brain. 

The  attack  is  sudden,  the  animal  in  most  cases  falling  as  if  it  had 
received  a  blow  on  the  head.  It  may  stagger  and  reel  some  time  before 
going  down.  After  falling,  there  are  convulsive  movements  of  the 
legs  or  the  animal  sinks  into  insensibility.  There  may  be  remissions 
in  the  severity  of  the  symptoms,  but  the  pressure  from  the  continued 
escape  of  blood  soon  causes  death.  Rest,  quiet,  friction  to  the  legs 
and  surface,  frequent  turning  of  the  animal  and  cold  to  the  head  are 
to  be  practiced,  if  treatment  is  attempted. 

CONGESTION   OP  THE   BRAIN. 

There  is  a  form  of  congestive  apoplexy  affecting  cattle  which  are 
in  a  plethoric  condition.  The  congestion,  or  overfilling  with  blood, 
causes  pressure  on  the  brain  substance  and  disorganizes  its  function. 
It  occurs  mostly  in  hot  weather.  In  this  disease  the  symptoms  are 
somewhat  similar  to  those  exhibited  when  the  animal  has  encephalitis, 
but  the  onset  is  more  sudden,  the  duration  is  shorter,  and  there  is  less 
fever.  There  may  be  frenzy  or  coma  or  alternations,  one  with  the 
other.  The  intelligence  is  diminished,  staring  eyes,  bracing  with  the 
legs,  pressing  against  the  stall  partition  or  manger,  red  mucous  mem- 
branes.    This  condition  usually  terminates  in  recovery. 

In  such  cases  bleeding  should  be  resorted  to  immediately,  and  when 
the  power  of  swallowing  is  not  lost  purgatives  should  be  administered. 
Cold  applications  to  the  head,  and  the  general  treatment  recommended 
for  encephalitis  are  indicated. 

CONCUSSION   OP  THE   BRAIN. 

Severe  blows  on  the  head,  striking  the  head  against  some  hard  object 
while  running,  or  falling  on  the  head,  may  cause  concussion  of  the 
brain.  The  injury  may  fracture  bones  of  the  cranium  and  produce 
compression  of  the  brain. 


DISEASES    OF    THE    NERVOUS    SYSTEM.  105 

Symptoms  and  treatment. — The  symptoms  and  the  treatment  that 
is  indicated  differ  very  little  from  what  has  been  said  under  conges- 
tion of  the  brain  and  under  encephalitis.  In  some  cases  it  may  be 
necessary  to  operate  to  remove  a  piece  of  bone  that  is  pressing  on  the 
brain  or  to  remove  a  clot  of  blood  under  the  area  which  received  the 
blow. 

EPILEPSY. 

This  affection  is  characterized  by  the  occurrence  of  sudden  convul- 
sions. The  animal  may  appear  to  be  in  a  fair  state  of  health  usually, 
but  at  any  time,  in  the  stable  or  in  the  field,  it  may  have  a  convulsion 
in  which  it  will  fall  and  lose  consciousness.  Epilepsy  must  not  be 
confounded  with  vertigo — the  fainting  which  is  an  effect  of  heart 
troubles. 

The  exact  cause  of  epilepsy  in  the  majority  of  cases  is  unknown. 
Post-mortem  examinations  in  many  instances  have  failed  to  discover 
any  lesion  in  connection  with  the  brain  or  nervous  system;  while  in 
other  instances  disease  of  the  brain  has  been  found  in  the  form  of 
thickening  of  the  membranes,  abscesses,  and  tumors,  and  in  some 
cases  the  affection  has  been  manifested  in  connection  with  a  diseased 
condition  of  the  blood.  The  cause  has  also  been  traced  to  reflex  irri- 
tation, due  to  teething,  worms,  and  chronic  indigestion. 

Treatment. — When  the  affection  is  due  to  the  last-named  causes 
treatment  may  be  successful  if  the  cause  is  removed.  If  there  are 
symptoms  of  worms  or  of  indigestion,  follow  the  general  treatment 
advised  for  those  troubles  under  their  proper  heads.  If  due  to  irrita- 
tion caused  by  teething,  the  inflamed  gums  must  be  lanced.  Exami- 
nation of  the  mouth  often  develops  the  fact  that  one  of  the  temporary 
teeth  causes  much  irritation  by  remaining  unshed,  and  thereby  inter- 
fering with  the  growth  of  a  permanent  tooth.  The  offending  tooth 
should  be  extracted.  When  the  cause  of  epilepsy  can  not  be  dis- 
covered, it  must  be  confessed  that  there  is  no  prospect  of  a  cure. 
However,  some  benefit  may  be  expected  from  the  occasional  admin- 
istration of  a  purgative  dose  of  medicine.  A  pound  of  Epsom  salts 
dissolved  in  a  quart  of  warm  water,  for  a  cow  of  average  size,  may  be 
given  as  a  drench  once  or  twice  a  month.  In  addition  to  the  purga- 
tive, 4  drams  of  bromid  of  potassium,  dissolved  in  the  drinking- 
water,  three  times  a  day,  has  proved  very  beneficial  in  some  cases. 

SUNSTROKE   (PROSTRATION  FROM   HEAT). 

Owing  to  the  fact  that  cattle  are  seldom  put  to  work  at  which  they 
would  have  to  undergo  severe  exertion,  especially  in  collars,  they  are 
not  frequently  prostrated  by  the  extreme  heat  of  the  summer  months. 
When  at  pasture  they  select  the  coolest  places  in  the  shade  of  trees, 
in  water,  etc.,  when  the  heat  becomes  oppressive,  and  thereby  avoid, 
as  much  as  possible,  the  effects  of  it. 


106  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

It  does  happen,  however,  that  cattle  that  have  been  kept  up  for  the 
purpose  of  fattening,  when  driven  some  distance  in  verjr  hot  weather, 
are  sometimes  prostrated,  but  it  must  be  remembered  that  it  is  not 
really  necessary  for  the  animal  to  be  exposed  to  the  rays  of  the  sun,  as 
those  confined  in  hot,  close  places  may  suffer.  This  often  happens  in 
shipping,  when  they  are  crowded  together  in  cars. 

Symptoms. — The  premonitory  signs  are  those  of  exhaustion — dull- 
ness, panting,  frothing  at  the  mouth,  tongue  hanging  out,  irregular 
gait,  uneasiness,  palpitation — when,  if  the  circumstances  which  tend 
to  the  prostration  are  not  mitigated,  the  animal  staggers  or  sways 
from  side  to  side,  falls,  struggles  for  a  while,  and  then  gradually 
becomes  quiet,  or  the  struggles  may  continue,  with  repeated  but  inef- 
fectual efforts  to  regain  a  standing  position.  In  serious  cases  the 
attack  may  be  very  sudden,  unconsciousness  occurring  without  con- 
tinued or  distressing  premonitory  symptoms. 

Treatment. — At  first,  when  not  very  serious,  removal  to  a  quiet, 
sheltered  place,  with  a  few  days  on  a  reduced  diet,  is  all  that  need  be 
done.  When  the  animal  has  fallen,  apply  cold  water  or  ice  to  the  head ; 
rub  the  body  and  limbs  with  cloths  or  wisps  of  straw,  and  continue 
the  rubbing  for  a  considerable  time.  If  the  power  of  swallowing  is 
not  lost  (which  may  be  ascertained  by  pouring  a  little  cold  water  into 
the  mouth),  give  3  drams  of  stronger  liquor  ammonia,  diluted  with  a 
quart  of  cold  water.  Be  very  careful  in  drenching  the  animal  when 
lying  down.  Repeat  the  drench  in  a  half  hour,  and  an  hour  after  the 
first  one  has  been  given.  Instead  of  the  ammonia,  a  drench  composed 
of  3  ounces  of  spirits  of  nitrous  ether  in  a  pint  of  water  may  be  given, 
if  more  convenient,  but  the  ammonia  drench  is  preferable.  If  uncon- 
sciousness continues,  so  that  a  drench  can  not  be  administered,  the 
same  quantity  of  ammonia  and  water  may  be  injected  with  a  syringe 
into  the  rectu  in.  The  popular  aqua  ammonia,  commonly  called  ' '  harts- 
horn," will  do  as  well  as  the  stronger  liquor  ammonia,  but  as  it  is 
weaker  than  the  latter  the  dose  for  a  cow  is  about  1^  ounces,  which 
should  be  diluted  with  a  quart  of  water  before  it  is  given  to  the  animal, 
either  as  a  drench  or  an  enema.  When  ammonia  can  not  be  obtained 
a  pint  of  whisky  in  a  quart  of  water  or  an  ounce  of  tincture  of  digi- 
talis may  be  given. 

As  soon  as  the  animal  is  able  to  rise  it  should  be  assisted  and  moved 
to  the  nearest  shelter.  All  the  cold  water  it  will  drink  should  be 
allowed.  The  ammonia  or  spirits  of  nitrous  ether  drench  should  be 
administered  every  three  hours  so  long  as  there  is  much  failure  of 
strength.  The  diet  should  be  limited  for  several  days — bran  slops  and 
a  little  grass.  When  signs  of  returning  strength  are  presented,  12 
ounces  of  Epsom  salts  dissolved  in  a  quart  of  warm  water  may  be 
given  in  those  cases  which  have  been  down  and  unconscious,  but  do 
not  give  it  while  much  weakness  remains,  which  may  be  for  several 
days  after  the  attack.     The  flesh  of  an  animal  that  is  suffering  from 


DISEASES    OF   THE    NERVOUS    SYSTEM.  107 

heat  stroke  should  not  be  prepared  for  use  as  food.  On  account  of 
the  fever  with  which  the  animal  suffers,  the  flesh  contains  toxins  that 
may  render  it  poisonous  to  the  consumer. 

INJURIES  TO   THE    SPINAL   CORD. 

The  spinal  cord  is  liable  to  concussion  from  blows  and  falls,  and 
paralysis,  to  a  greater  or  less  extent,  may  be  the  result.  Fracture, 
with  displacement  of  the  bones  (vertebrae)  which  form  the  spinal  col- 
umn, by  compressing  the  spinal  cord,  produces  paralysis,  which  varies 
in  its  effect  according  to  the  part  of  the  cord  that  is  compressed.  If 
the  fracture  is  above  the  middle  of  the  neck,  death  soon  follows,  as 
communication  between  the  brain  and  diaphragm  (the  essential 
muscle  of  inspiration)  is  stopped.  When  the  fracture  is  farther 
down  in  the  neck,  posterior  to  the  origin  of  the  phrenic  nerve,  the 
breathing  continues,  but  there  is  paralysis  in  all  parts  posterior  to  the 
fracture,  including  the  fore  and  hind  legs.  When  the  fracture  is  in 
the  region  of  the  loins  the  hind  legs  are  paralyzed,  but  the  fore  legs 
are  not.  If  the  fracture  is  in  the  sacrum  (the  division  of  the  spinal 
column  between  the  loins  and  the  tail),  the  tail  alone  is  paralyzed. 

As  a  matter  of  course,  when  the  back  is  broken  there  is  no  remedy ; 
the  animal  should  be  killed  at  once. 

PARALYSIS. 

Paralysis,  or  loss  of  motion  in  a  part,  may  be  due  to  a  lesion  of  the 
brain,  of  the  spinal  cord,  or  of  a  nerve.  It  may  also  be  caused  by 
reflex  irritation.  When  the  paralysis  affects  both  sides  of  the  body, 
posterior  to  a  point,  it  is  further  designated  by  the  name  paraplegia. 
When  one  side  of  the  body  (a  lateral  half)  is  paralyzed,  the  term 
hemiplegia  is  applied  to  the  affection.  When  paralysis  is  caused  by 
a  lesion  of  a  nerve,  the  paralysis  is  confined  to  the  particular  part 
supplied  by  the  affected  nerve. 

As  already  pointed  out,  paralysis  may  be  due  to  concussion  of  the 
spine,  fracture  of  a  bone  of  the  spinal  column  with  consequent  com- 
pression of  the  spinal  cord,  concussion  of  the  brain,  or  compression  of 
the  brain.  An  injury  to  one  side  of  the  brain  may  produce  paralysis 
of  the  same  side  of  the  head,  and  of  the  opposite  side  of  the  body  hemi- 
plegia. Paralysis  may  occur  in  connection  with  parturient  apoplexy, 
lead  poisoning,  ergotism,  etc. 

CONGESTION   OP  THE   SPINAL   CORD. 

Paraplegia,  or  paralysis  of  the  rear  part  of  the  body,  is  the  domi- 
nant symptom  in  congestion  or  inflammation  of  the  spinal  cord.  The 
cause  is  not  known,  but  the  disease  is  probably  due  to  chilling.  It  is 
thought  by  some  that  some  toxic  influence  (poison)  may  be  responsi- 
ble for  its  development. 


108  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

Symptoms. — The  symptoms  usually  appear  suddenly,  and  consist 
in  inability  to  stand.  Sometimes  this  is  preceded  by  a  period  of 
excitement.  The  animal  usually  lies  quietly,  but  sometimes  it  groans 
and  tosses  its  head  about  in  a  way  that  indicates  pain.  Cows  heavy 
with  calf  are  sometimes  affected  with  a  form  of  paraplegia,  which 
usually  attacks  them  from  about  a  month  to  a  few  days  before  calv- 
ing. Apparently  they  are  in  good  health  in  every  respect  except  the 
inability  to  stand  up,  on  account  of  the  paralysis  of  the  hind  quar- 
ters. This  form  is  generally  attributed  to  feeding  on  foods  containing 
insufficient  protein  and  ash.  It  is  most  likely  to  occur  in  cows  that  are 
weak  and  thin.     With  good  care  and  food  recovery  usually  occurs. 

Treatment. — The  animal  must  be  given  a  soft,  dry  bed  under  shelter 
and  in  a  quiet,  airy  place.  It  is  well  to  apply  mustard  along  the 
spine.  The  action  of  the  mustard  may  be  intensified  by  rubbing  the 
skin  with  ammonia  or  turpentine.  Internally  give  a  purge  of  Glauber's 
salts.  Nux  vomica  or  strychnia  (1  to  2  grain  doses)  may  be  given. 
Turn  the  cow  two  to  four  times  daily  and  rub  the  legs  well  each  time. 

There  are  instances  when  cows  will  persist  in  lying  down  (in  spite 
of  all  efforts  that  are  made  to  compel  them  to  stand  up),  when  it  can 
not  really  be  said  that  they  are  paralyzed.  They  have  sensation  in 
all  parts ;  they  can  move  all  their  feet;  they  can  change  their  position; 
and  in  fact  every  function  seems  to  be  normally  performed,  but  they 
obstinately  refuse  to  rise,  or  even  make  an  effort  to  do  so.  Cases  of 
this  kind  have  been  killed,  as  it  was  an  utter  impossibility  to  get 
the  animal  on  its  feet.  However,  there  are  instances  when  a  cow, 
after  refusing  to  rise  when  all  other  means  had  been  tried,  quickly 
jumped  to  her  feet  and  showed  fright  upon  the  appearance  of  a  dog 
or  other  terrifying  object. 

RABIES  (HYDROPHOBIA). 

[See  discussion  of  this  disease  in  chapter  on  "Infectious  diseases,  p.  394."] 
LIGHTNING   STROKE  (ASPHYXIA  ELECTRIC  A). 

When  an  animal  is  struck  by  lightning  the  shock  is  instantaneously 
expended  on  the  nervous  system,  and  as  a  rule  death  occurs  immedi- 
ately, but  when  the  shock  is  not  fatal  animation  is  suspended  to  a 
greater  or  less  extent,  as  evidenced  by  prostration,  unconsciousness, 
and  paralysis. 

Symptoms. — When  not  fatal,  the  symptoms  vary  much,  according  to 
the  severity  of  the  shock.  The  animal  usually  falls,  as  from  an  apo- 
plectic attack,  and,  as  a  matter  of  course,  the  symptoms  are  such  as  are 
generally  manifested  in  connection  with  concussion  of  the  brain.  The 
muscular  system  may  be  completely  relaxed;  the  legs  limber;  the 
muscles  flabby  and  soft  to  the  touch,  or  there  may  be  convulsions, 
spasms,  and  twitching  of  the  muscles.  The  breathing  is  generally 
labored,  irregular,  or  interrupted,  and  slower  than  normal. 


DISEASES    OF   THE    NERVOUS    SYSTEM.  109 

In  most  instances  the  electrical  fluid  leaves  its  mark  by  singeing  the 
hair,  or  by  inflicting  wounds,  burns,  or  blisters.  "  Sir  B.  Brodie  tells 
a  curious  story  of  two  bullocks,  pied  white  and  red,  which  were  struck 
in  different  storms.  In  both  cases  the  white  hairs  were  consumed, 
while  the  red  ones  escaped." 

Treatment. — So  long  as  the  beating  of  the  heart  is  perceptible,  the 
endeavor  to  resuscitate  the  animal  should  be  continued.  Dash  cold 
water  over  the  head  and  body;  rub  the  body  and  legs;  smartly  whip 
the  body  with  wet  towels  or  switches.  Mustard,  mixed  with  water, 
should  be  well  rubbed  over  the  legs  and  back  of  the  head  on  each  side 
of  the  neck.  Inject  into  the  rectum  4  drams  of  stronger  liquor  ammo- 
nia, or  1|  ounces  of  hartshorn  diluted  with  a  quart  of  warm  water. 
Cautiously  hold  an  uncorked  bottle  of  hartshorn  to  the  nostrils,  so  that 
some  of  it  is  inhaled,  but  care  should  be  taken  that  too  much  is  not 
suddenly  inhaled. 

In  desperate  cases  artificial  respiration  should  be  tried,  as  follows: 
With  both  hands  spread  out  to  cover  a  large  surface,  press  on  the 
abdomen  (behind  the  ribs)  and  then  on  the  chest  (behind  the  shoul- 
ders), and  continue  in  this  manner,  first  on  the  abdomen  and  then  on 
the  chest  in  regular  order,  so  that  the  chest  and  the  abdomen  are  each 
pressed  on  alternately  about  twenty  times  a  minute.  The  pressure 
should  be  slow  and  steady,  so  that  the  movement  given  by  it  to  the 
walls  of  the  chest  and  abdomen  will  resemble  their  motion  in  breath- 
ing. A  hand  bellows  may  be  used  as  an  aid  to  the  foregoing  method, 
as  follows :  Each  time  after  the  chest  is  pressed  on  the  nozzle  is  inserted 
in  the  nostril  and  air  slowly  and  gently  forced  in  by  the  bellows. 

When  the  animal  revives  sufficiently  to  be  able  to  swallow,  4  drams  of 
the  stronger  liquor  ammonia,  diluted  with  a  quart  of  cold  water,  should 
be  given  as  a  drench,  and  the  dose  should  be  repeated  in  an  hour.  One 
and  one-half  ounces  of  ordinary  hartshorn  may  be  used  instead  of  the 
stronger  liquor  ammonia,  but,  like  the  latter,  it  should  be  diluted  with 
a  quart  or  more  of  water,  and  even  then  care  should  be  exercised  in 
drenching. 

In  cases  when  the  shock  has  not  caused  complete  insensibility, 
recovery  may  be  hastened  by  the  ammonia  and  water  drench,  or  4 
ounces  of  brandy  diluted  with  a  quart  of  water,  or  8  ounces  of  whisky 
diluted  with  a  quart  of  water.  These  doses  may  be  given  every  three 
or  four  hours,  if  necessary.  After  recovery  from  the  more  serious 
symptoms,  2  drams  of  sulphate  of  quinine  should  be  given  twice  a 
dajr  until  health  is  restored.  If  any  paralysis  remains,  H  drams  of 
pulverized  mix  vomica  should  be  given  twice  a  day  with  the  quinine. 

The  foregoing  treatment  is  also  applicable  when  the  electrical  shock 
is  given  by  telephone,  electric  car,  or  electric-light  wires,  etc.  The 
wounds,  burns,  or  blisters  should  be  treated  according  to  the  anti- 
septic method  of  treating  wounds. 


110  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

TUMORS   IN  THE   BRAIN,  ETC. 

Tumors  of  different  kinds  have  been  found  within  the  cranial  cav- 
ity, and  in  many  cases  there  have  been  no  well-marked  symptoms 
exhibited  during  the  life  of  the  animal  to  lead  one  to  suspect  their 
existence.  Cases  are  recorded  where  bony  tumors  have  been  found 
in  the  brain  of  cattle  that  died  suddenly,  but  during  life  no  signs  of 
disease  were  manifested.  Post-mortem  examinations  have  discovered 
tubercles  in  the  membranes  of  the  brain.  (See  "Tuberculosis,"  p. 
398.)  Abscesses,  usually  the  result  of  inflammation  of  the  brain, 
have  been  found  post-mortem.  For  the  description  of  hydrocephalus, 
or  dropsy  of  the  brain,  of  calves,  the  reader  is  referred  to  the  section 
on  parturition.     (See  "Water  in  the  head,"  p.  176.) 

Chorea,  constant  twitching  and  irregular  spasmodic  movements  of 
the  muscles,  has  been  noticed  in  connection  with,  or  as  a  sequel  to, 
other  affections,  as,  for  example,  parturient  apoplexy. 

Various  diseases,  the  description  of  which  will  be  found  in  other 
sections  of  this  work,  affect  the  nervous  system  to  a  greater  or  less 
extent — for  example,  ergotism,  lead  poisoning,  uremia,  parturient 
apoplexy,  colic,  and  other  affections  associated  with  cramps,  or  spasms, 
etc.  Disease  of  the  ovaries  or  of  the  spinal  cord,  by  reflex  irritation, 
may  cause  estromania  (see  "Excess  of  venereal  desire,"  p.  145),  con- 
stant desire  for  the  bull. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  URINARY  ORGANS. 

By  James  Law,  F.  R.  C.  V.  S.. 
Professor  of  Veterinary  Science,  etc.,  in  Cornell  University. 

Of  the  materials  that  have  served  their  purpose  in  building  up  the 
animal  body  or  in  sustaining  the  bodily  temperature,  and  that  are 
now  to  be  thrown  out  as  waste,  the  greater  part  are  expelled  from  the 
system  through  the  lungs  and  the  kidneys,  but  the  agents  that  pass 
out  by  either  of  these  two  channels  differ  in  the  main  from  those 
passing  by  the  other.  Thus  from  the  lungs  in  the  form  of  dioxide  of 
carbon — the  same  gas  that  comes  from  burning  of  coal  or  oil — there 
escapes  most  of  the  waste  material  resulting  from  the  destruction  in 
the  system  of  fats,  sugars,  starch,  and  such  other  foods  as  are  want- 
ing in  the  element  nitrogen,  and  do  not  form  fibrous  tissues,  but  go 
mainly  to  support  animal  heat  or  maintain  functional  activity.  From 
the  kidneys,  on  the  other  hand,  are  thrown  out  the  waste  products 
resulting  from  the  destruction  of  the  foods  and  tissues  containing 
nitrogen — of,  for  instance,  albumen,  fibrine,  gluten,  casein,  gelatine, 
woody  tissue,  etc.  While  much  of  the  waste  material  containing 
nitrogen  leaves  the  body  by  the  bowels,  this  is  virtually  such  only  of 
the  albuminoid  food  as  has  failed  to  be  fully  digested  and  absorbed, 
and  this  has  never  formed  a  true  constituent  part  of  the  body  itself 
or  of  the  blood,  but  is  so  much  waste  food,  like  that  which  has  come 
to  the  table  and  been  carried  away  again  unused.  Where  the  albu- 
minoid food  element  has  entered  the  blood,  whether  or  not  it  has  been 
built  up  into  a  constituent  part  of  the  structure  of  the  body,  its  waste 
products,  which  contain  nitrogen,  are  in  the  main  expelled  through 
the  kidneys,  so  that  these  organs  become  the  principal  channels  for 
the  expulsion  of  all  nitrogen-containing  waste. 

It  would  be  an  error,  however,  to  infer  that  all  nitrogenous  food, 
when  once  digested  and  absorbed  into  the  blood,  must  necessarily 
leave  the  system  in  the  urine.  On  the  contrary,  in  the  young  and 
growing  animal  all  increase  of  the  fibrous  structures  of  the  body  is 
gained  through  the  building  up  of  those  flesh-forming  constituents 
into  their  substance;  in  the  pregnant  animal  the  growth  of  the  off- 
spring and  its  envelopes  has  a  similar  origin,  and  in  the  dairy  cow 
the  casein  or  curd  of  the  milk  is  a  means  of  constant  elimination  of 
these  nitrogen-containing  agents.  Thus,  in  the  breeding  cow  and, 
above  all,  in  the  milking  cow,  the  womb  or  udder  carries  on  a  work  in 
one  sense  equivalent  to  that  otherwise  performed  by  the  kidneys.  Not 
only  are  these  organs  alike  channels  for  the  excretion  of  albuminous 
products,  but  they  are  also  related  to  each  other  structurally  and  by 

111 


112  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

nervous  sympathy,  so  that  suffering  in  the  one  is  liable  to  induce  some 
measure  of  disorder  in  the  other. 

This  nitrogenous  waste  matter  is  mainly  present  in  the  urine  of 
cattle,  as  of  other  mammals,  in  the  form  of  urea,  but  also,  to  some 
extent,  as  hippuric  acid,  a  derivative  of  vegetable  food  which,  in  the 
herbivora,  replaces  the  uric  acid  found  in  the  urine  of  man  and  car- 
nivora.  Uric  acid  is,  however,  found  in  the  urine  of  sucking  calves 
which  have  practically  an  animal  diet,  and  it  may  also  appear  in  the 
adult  in  case* of  absolute  and  prolonged  starvation,  and  in  diseases 
attended  by  complete  loss  of  appetite  and  rapid  wasting  of  the  body. 
In  such  cases  the  animal  lives  on  its  own  substance,  and  the  product 
is  that  of  the  wasting  flesh. 

The  other  products  containing  nitrogen  are  only  present  in  small 
amount,  and  need  not  be  specially  referred  to.  The  urine  of  cattle 
contains  much  less  of  carbonates  than  does  that  of  the  horse,  and 
effervesces  less  on  the  addition  of  an  acid.  As  the  carbonates  form 
a  large  proportion  of  the  solid  deposits  (gravel,  stone)  from  the  horse's 
urine,  the  ox  may  thus  be  held  less  liable ;  yet  even  in  the  ox  the  car- 
bonates become  abundant  or  scanty,  according  to  the  nature  of  the 
food,  and  therefore  gravel,  formed  by  carbonate  of  lime,  is  not  infre- 
quent in  cattle.  When  fed  on  beets,  clover  hay,  or  bean  straw,  car- 
bonates are  present  in  large  amount,  these  aliments  being  rich  in 
organic  acids  and  alkaline  carbonates ;  whereas  upon  oat  straw,  barley 
straw,  and,  above  all,  wheat  straw,  they  are  in  small  amount.  In 
calves  fed  on  milk  alone  no  carbonates  are  found  in  the  urine. 

Phosphates,  usually  in  combination  with  lime,  are,  as  a  rule,  pres- 
ent only  in  traces  in  the  urine  of  cattle;  yet,  on  a  dietary  of  wheat, 
bran,  or  other  aliment  rich  in  phosphates,  these  may  be  present  in 
large  amount,  so  that  they  render  the  liquid  cloudy  or  are  deposited 
in  solid  crystals.     The  liquid  is  rendered  transparent  by  nitric  acid. 

The  cow's  urine,  on  a  diet  of  hay  and  potatoes,  contained : 

Parts. 

Urea 18.5 

Potassic  Mppurate - 16. 5 

Alkaline  lactates - - 17.2 

Potassium  bicarbonate  _ 16.1 

Magnesium  carbonate 4. 7 

Lime  carbonate 0.6 

Potassium  sulphate 3.6 

Common  salt 1.5 

Silica Trace. 

Phosphates 0.0 

Water  and  undetermined  substances - 921. 3 

Total 1,000 

The  following  table  after  Terega  gives  the  different  conditions  of 
the  urine,  and  especially  the  amount  of  urea  and  hippuric  acid  under 

«Encyklop.  der  Thierheilk.,  Vol.  IV,  p.  208. 


DISEASES    OF   THE    URINARY    ORGANS. 


113 


different  rations.     The  subjects  were  two  oxen,  weighing,  respectively, 
1.260  pounds  and  1,060  pounds: 


Food  per  day  (pounds). 


A  e3 

g* 


P.  2 


16.90  wheat  straw,  and  1.30  bean 
meal 

14. 70  oat  straw,  and  2.30  bean  meal . 

10.4  wheat  straw,  10.4  clover  hay, 
0.6  bean  meal,  and  2.6  starch  ... 

10.4  wheat  straw,  10.4  clover  hay, 
2.7  bean  meal,  1.4  starch,  and  0.8 
sugar 

10.4  wheat  straw,  10.4  clover  hay, 
5  bean  meal,  and  0.8  sugar 

10  wheat  straw,  10  clover  hay,  6.4 
bean  meal,  1.7  starch,  4  sugar, 
and  0.4  rape  oil 

10  wheat  straw,  10  clover  hay,  9.4 
bean  meal,  3.1  sugar,  and  0.4 
rape  oil 

10  wheat  straw,  10  clover  hay,  11.7 
bean  meal,  2.8  starch,  and  0.6 
rape  oil 

17.86  bean  straw,  and  1.6  bean  meal 

14.88  bean  straw 

16.90  meadow  hay 


Lbs. 

46.46 
61.10 

71.76 

80.54 
78.96 

110.13 

101.80 


119.00 
54.84 
55.76 
36.26 


Lbs. 

7.40 
15.26 

12.36 

12.46 
17.62 

25.86 

27.04 


23.20 
12.60 
16.34 
15.14 


1,036 
1,039 

1,043 


1,044 
1,043 

1,038 

1,037 


1,038 
1,043 
1,036 
1,042 


Pr.ct. 

8.41 
6.93 

8.05 


8.41 


7.00 


7.14 


7.74 
7.06 
5.45 
7.91 


Pr.ct. 

2.66 
2.09 

0.95 


8.07 
0.74 

0.31 

0.20 


0.21 
0.40 
0.11 

1.30 


Pr.ct. 

1.33 

0.84 

1.85 

2.41 
3.13 

2.49 

2.95 


4.06 
2.53 
1.41 
1.73 


Per  ct. 

0.83 
0.55 

0.93 


1.19 
1.45 

1.19 

1.39 


1.91 
1.21 
0.67 
0.91 


Pr.ct, 

0.94 
0.49 

0.94 


1.11 

1.24 

1.25 

1.58 


1.69 
1.15 
0.64 
0.92 


Ozs. 

1.63 
2.2 

3.83 


5.8 
9.17 

10.9 

13.3 


15.4 
6.3 
3.83 
4.37 


Ozs. 

3.23 
5.3 

1.96 


2.1 

2.17 

1.33 
0.9 


0.8 
0.83 
0.3 
3.3 


The  varying  amount  of  urea  (from  1.6  to  15.4  ounces)  is  most  sug- 
gestive as  to  the  action  of  the  more  or  less  nitrogenous  food  and  the 
resulting  concentration  of  the  urine  and  blood.  Hippuric  acid,  on 
the  other  hand,  is  most  abundant  when  the  animal  is  fed  on  hay  and 
straw. 

The  specific  gravity  of  the  urine  of  cattle  varies  from  1,030  to  1,060 
in  health,  water  being  1,000.  It  is  transparent,  with  a  yellowish  tinge, 
and  has  a  characteristic  musky  smell.  The  chemical  reaction  is  alka- 
line, turning  red  litmus  paper  blue.  The  quantity  passed  in  twenty- 
four  hours  varies  greatly,  increasing  not  only  with  the  amount  of 
water  drunk,  but  with  the  amount  of  albuminoids  taken  in  with  the 
food  and  the  amount  of  urea  produced.  If  a  solution  of  urea  is 
injected  into  the  veins  the  secretion  of  urine  is  greatly  augmented. 
Similarly  the  excess  of  salts  like  carbonate  of  potash  in  the  food,  or 
of  sugar,  increases  the  action  of  the  kidneys.  Only  about  20  per  cent 
of  the  water  swallowed  escapes  in  the  urine,  the  remaining  80  per  cent 
passing  mostly  from  the  lungs,  and  to  a  slight  extent  by  the  bowels. 
The  skin  of  the  ox  does  not  perspire  so  readily  nor  so  freely  as  that 
of  the  horse;  hence  the  kidneys  and  lungs  are  called  upon  for  extra 

61386—08 8 


114  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

work.  The  influence  of  an  excess  of  water  in  the  food  is  most  remark- 
able in  swill-fed  distillery  cattle,  which  urinate  profusely  at  frequent 
intervals  and  yet  thrive  and  fatten  rapidly. 

Among  the  other  conditions  that  increase  the  flow  of  urine  is  over- 
filling of  (internal  pressure  in)  the  blood  vessels  of  the  kidneys. 
Hence  the  contraction  of  the  blood  vessels  of  the  skin  by  cold  drives 
the  blood  inward,  tends  to  dilate  the  blood  vessels  of  the  kidneys, 
and  to  increase  the  secretion  of  urine.  Nervous  disorders,  such  as 
excitement,  fear,  congestions,  or  structural  injuries  to  the  back  part 
of  the  base  of  the  brain  have  a  similar  result.  Hence,  doubtless,  the 
action  of  certain  fungi  growing  in  musty  hay  or  oats  in  producing 
profuse  flow  of  urine,  whereas  other  forms  of  musty  fodder  cause 
stupor,  delirium,  or  paralysis.  Bacteria  and  their  products  are  mainly 
expelled  by  the  kidneys,  and  become  sources  of  local  infection,  irrita- 
tion, and  disease. 

The  amount  of  urine  passed  daily  by  an  ox  on  dry  feeding  averages 
7  to  12  pints,  but  this  may  be  increased  enormously  on  a  watery  diet. 

The  mutual  influence  of  the  kidneys  and  other  important  organs 
tends  to  explain  the  way  in  which  disease  in  one  part  supervenes  on 
preexisting  disorder  in  another.  The  introduction  of  albuminoids  in 
excess  into  the  blood  means  the  formation  of  an  excess  of  urea,  and  a 
more  profuse  secretion  of  urine,  of  a  higher  specific  gravity,  and  with 
a  greater  tendency  to  deposit  its  solid  constituents,  as  gravel,  in  the 
kidneys  or  bladder.  A  torpid  action  of  the  liver,  leaving  the  albumi- 
noids in  transition  forms,  less  soluble  than  the  urea  into  which  they 
should  have  been  changed,  favors  the  onset  of  rheumatism  or  nervous 
disorder,  the  deposit  of  such  albuminoid  products  in  the  kidneys,  the 
formation  of  a  deep-brown  or  reddish  urine,  and  congestion  of  the 
kidneys.  Any  abnormal  activity  of  the  liver  in  the  production  of 
sugar — more  than  can  be  burned  up  in  the  circulation — overstimulates 
the  kidneys  and  produces  increased  flow  of  a  heavy  urine  with  a 
sweetish  taste.  This  increased  production  of  sugar  may  be  primarily 
due  to  disease  of  the  brain,  which,  in  its  turn,  determines  the  disorder 
of  the  liver.  Disease  of  the  right  side  of  the  heart  or  of  the  lungs, 
by  obstructing  the  onward  flow  of  blood  from  the  veins,  increases  the 
blood  pressure  in  the  kidneys  and  produces  disorder  and  excessive 
secretion.  Inactivity  of  the  kidneys  determines  an  increase  in  the 
blood  of  waste  products,  which  become  irritating  to  different  parts, 
producing  skin  eruptions,  itching,  dropsies,  and  nervous  disorders. 
Sprains  of  the  loins  will  produce  bleeding  from  the  kidneys  and  dis- 
ease of  the  spinal  cord,  and  determine  sometimes  albuminous  or 
milky-looking  urine. 

The  kidney  of  the  ox  (PL  IX,  fig.  1)  is  a  compound  organ  made  up 
of  fifteen  to  twenty-five  separate  lobules  like  so  many  separate  kid- 
neys, but  all  pouring  their  secretion  into  one  common  pouch  (pelvis) 
situated  in  an  excavation  in  the  center  of  the  lower  surface.     While 


DISEASES    OF   THE    URINARY    ORGANS.  115 

the  ox  is  the  only  domesticated  quadruped  which  maintains  this 
divided  condition  of  the  kidney  after  birth,  this  condition  is  common 
to  all  while  at  an  early  stage  of  development  in  the  womb.  The 
cluster  of  lobules  making  up  a  single  kidney  forms  an  ovoid  mass  flat- 
tened from  above  downward,  and  extending  from  the  last  rib  back- 
ward beneath  the  loins  and  to  one  side  of  the  solid  chain  of  the  back- 
bone. The  right  is  more  firmly  attached  to  the  loins  and  extends 
farther  backward  than  the  left.  Deeply  covered  in  a  mass  of  suet, 
each  kidney  has  a  strong  outer  white,  fibrous  covering,  and  inside 
this  two  successive  layers  of  kidney  substance,  of  which  the  outer  is 
that  in  which  the  urine  is  mainly  separated  from  the  blood  and  poured 
into  the  fine  microscopic  urinary  ducts.  (PI.  X,  fig.  1.)  These  lat- 
ter, together  with  blood  vessels,  lymph  vessels,  and  nerves,  make  up 
the  second,  or  internal,  layer.  The  outer  layer  is  mainly  composed  of 
minute  globular  clusters  of  microscopic  intercommunicating  blood 
vessels  (Malphigian  bodies),  each  of  which  is  furnished  with  a  fibrous 
capsule  that  is  nothing  else  than  the  dilated  commencement  of  a 
urine  tube.  These  practically  microscopic  tubes  follow  at  first  a 
winding  course  through  the  outer  layer  (Ferrein's  tubes),  then  form 
a  long  loop  (doubling  on  itself)  in  the  inner  layer  (Henle's  loop),  and 
finally  pass  back  through  the  inner  layer  (Bellini's  tubes)  to  open 
through  a  conical  process  into  the  common  pouch  (pelvis)  on  the 
lower  surface  of  the  organ.     (PI.  X,  figs.  1,  2,  3.) 

The  tube  that  conveys  the  urine  from  the  kidney  to  the  bladder  is 
like  a  white,  round  cord,  about  the  size  of  a  goose  quill,  prolonged  from 
the  pouch  on  the  lower  surface  of  the  kidney  backward  beneath  the 
loins,  then  inward,  supported  by  a  fold  of  thin  membrane,  to  open 
into  the  bladder  just  in  front  of  its  neck.  The  canal  passes  first 
through  the  middle  (muscular)  coat  of  the  bladder,  and  then  advances 
perceptibly  between  that  and  the  internal  (mucous)  coat,  through 
which  it  finally  opens.  By  this  arrangement  in  overfilling  of  the 
bladder  this  opening  is  closed  like  a  valve  by  the  pressure  of  the 
urine,  and  the  return  of  liquid  to  the  kidney  is  prevented.  The  blad- 
der (PL  IX,  fig.  2)  is  a  dilatable  egg-shaped  pouch,  closed  behind  by 
a  strong  ring  of  muscular  fibers  encircling  its  neck,  and  enveloped  by 
looped  muscular  fibers  extending  on  all  sides  around  its  body  and 
closed  anterior  end.  Stimulated  by  the  presence  of  urine,  these  last 
contract  and  expel  the  contents  through  the  neck  into  the  urethra. 
This  last  is  the  tube  leading  backward  along  the  floor  of  the  pelvic 
bones  and  downward  through  the  penis.  In  the  bull  this  canal  of  the 
urethra  is  remarkable  for  its  small  caliber  and  for  the  S-shaped  bend 
which  it  describes  in  the  interval  between  the  thighs  and  just  above 
the  scrotum.  This  bend  is  due  to  the  fact  that  the  retractor  muscles 
are  attached  to  the  penis  at  this  point,  and  in  withdrawing  that  organ 
within  its  sheath  they  double  it  upon  itself.  The  small  size  of  the 
canal  and  this  S-shaped  bend  are  serious  obstacles  to  the  passing  of  a 


116  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

catheter  to  draw  off  the  urine,  yet  by  extending  the  penis  out  of  its 
sheath  the  bend  is  effaced,  and  a  small  gum-elastic  catheter,  not  over 
one- fourth  of  an  inch  in  diameter,  may  with  care  be  passed  into  the 
bladder.  In  the  cow  the  urethra  is  very  short,  opening  in  the  median 
line  on  the  floor  of  the  vulva  about  4  inches  in  front  of  its  external  ori- 
fice. Even  in  the  cow,  however,  the  passing  of  a  catheter  is  a  matter 
of  no  little  difficulty,  the  opening  of  the  urethra  being  very  narrow 
and  encircled  by  the  projecting  membranous  and  rigid  margins,  and  on 
each  side  of  the  opening  is  a  blind  pouch  (canal  of  Gartner)  into  which 
the  catheter  will  almost  invariably  find  its  way.  In  both  male  and 
female,  therefore,  the  passage  of  a  catheter  is  an  operation  which 
demands  special  skill. 

General  symptoms  of  urinary  disorders. — These  are  not  so  promi- 
nent in  cattle  as  in  horses,  yet  when  present  they  are  of  a  similar  kind. 
There  is  a  stiff  or  straddling  gait  with  the  hind  limbs  and  some  diffi- 
culty in  turning  or  in  lying  down  and  rising,  the  act  drawing  forth 
a  groan.  The  frequent  passage  of  urine  in  driblets,  the  continuous 
escape  of  the  urine  in  drops,  the  sudden  arrest  of  the  flow  when  in 
full  stream,  the  rhythmic  contraction  of  the  muscles  under  the  anus 
without  any  flow  resulting,  the  swelling  of  the  sheath,  the  collection 
of  hard,  gritty  masses  on  the  hair  surrounding  the  orifice  of  the  sheath, 
the  occurrence  of  dropsies  in  the  limbs,  under  the  chest  or  belly,  or 
in  either  of  these  cavities,  and  finally  the  appearance  of  nervous 
stupor,  may  indicate  serious  disorder  of  the  urinary  organs.  The 
condition  of  the  urine  passed  may  likewise  lead  to  suspicion.  It  may 
be  white,  from  crystallized  carbonate  of  lime;  brown,  red,  or  even 
black,  from  the  presence  of  blood  or  blood-coloring  matter;  yellow, 
from  biliary  coloring  matter;  it  may  be  frothy,  from  contained  albu- 
men; cloudy,  from  phosphates;  glairy,  from  pus;  or  it  may  show 
gritty  masses,  from  gravel.  In  many  cases  of  urinary  disorder  in  the 
ox,  however,  the  symptoms  are  by  no  means  prominent,  and  unless 
special  examination  is  made  of  the  loins,  the  bladder,  and  the  urine 
the  true  nature  of  the  malady  may  be  overlooked. 

DIURESIS  (POLYURIA,   DIABETES   INSIPIDUS,  EXCESSIVE   SECRETION   OP 

URINE). 

A  secretion  of  urine  in  excess  of  the  normal  amount  may  be  looked 
on  as  disease,  even  if  the  result  does  not  lead  to  immediate  loss  of 
condition.  Cattle  fed  on  distillery  swill  are  striking  examples  of  such 
excess  caused  by  the  enormous  consumption  of  a  liquid  food,  which 
nourishes  and  fattens  in  spite  of  the  diuresis;  but  the  condition  is 
unwholesome,  and  cattle  that  have  passed  four  or  five  months  in  a 
swill  stable  have  fatty  livers  and  kidneys,  and  never  again  do  well  on 
ordinary  food.  Diuresis  may  further  occur  from  increase  of  blood 
pressure  in  the  kidneys  (diseases  of  the  heart  or  lungs  which  hinder 
the  onward  passage  of  the  blood,  the  eating  of  digitalis,  English  broom, 


DISEASES    OF   THE    URINARY    ORGANS.  117 

the  contraction  of  the  blood  vessels  on  the  surface  of  the  body  in  cold 
weather,  etc.);  also  from  acrid  or  diuretic  plants  taken  with  the  food 
(dandelion,  burdock,  colchicum,  digitalis,  savin,  resinous  shoots, 
etc. ) ;  from  excess  of  sugar  in  the  food  (beets,  turnips,  ripe  sorghum) ; 
also  from  the  use  of  frozen  food  (frosted  turnip  tops  and  other  vege- 
tables), and  from  the  growths  of  certain  molds  in  fodder  (musty  hay, 
mow-burnt  hay,  moldy  oats,  moldy  bread,  etc.).  Finally,  alkaline 
waters  and  alkaline  incrustations  on  the  soil  may  be  active  causes. 
In  some  of  these  cases  the  result  is  beneficial  rather  than  injurious, 
as  when  cattle  affected  with  gravel  in  the  kidneys  are  entirely  freed 
from  this  condition  by  a  run  at  grass,  or  by  an  exclusive  diet  of  roots 
or  swill.  In  other  cases,  however,  the  health  and  condition  suffer, 
and  even  inflammation  of  the  kidneys  may  occur. 

Treatment. — The  treatment  is  mainly  in  the  change  of  diet  to  a  more 
solid  aliment  destitute  of  the  special  offensive  ingredient.  Boiled  flax- 
seed is  often  the  best  diet  or  addition  to  the  wholesome  dry  food,  and, 
by  way  of  medicine,  doses  of  2  drams  each  of  sulphate  of  iron  and 
iodide  of  potassium  may  be  given  twice  daily.  In  obstinate  cases,  2 
drams  ergot  of  rye  oi  of  catechu  may  be  added. 

BLOODY     URINE     (RED     WATER,     MOOR-ILL,     WOOD-ILL,     HEMATURIA, 

HEMAGLOBINURIA) . 

This  is  a  common  affection  among  cattle  in  certain  localities,  above 
all  on  damp,  undrained  lands,  and  under  a  backward  agriculture.  It 
is  simply  bloody  urine  or  hematuria  when  the  blood  is  found  in  clots, 
or  when  under  the  microscope  the  blood  globules  can  be  detected  as 
distinctly  rounded,  flattened  disks.  It  is  smoky  urine — hemaglobinu- 
ria — when  no  such  distinct  clots  nor  blood  disks  can  be  found,  but 
merely  a  general  browning,  reddening,  or  blackening  of  the  urine  by 
the  presence  of  dissolved  blood  coloring  matter.  The  bloody  urine  is 
the  more  direct  result  of  structural  disease  of  the  kidneys  or  urinary 
passages  (inflammation,  stone,  gravel,  tumors,  hydatids,  kidney  worms, 
sprains  of  the  loins),  while  the  stained  urine  (hemaglobinuria)  is  usu- 
ally the  result  of  some  general  or  more  distant  disorder  in  which  the 
globules  are  destroyed  in  the  circulating  blood  and  the  coloring  mat- 
ter dissolved  in  and  diffused  through  the  whole  mass  of  the  blood  and 
of  the  ui-ine  secreted  from  it.  As  in  the  two  forms,  blood  and  the  ele- 
ments of  blood  escape  into  the  urine,  albumen  is  always  present,  so 
that  there  is  albuminuria  with  blood-coloring  matter  superadded.  If 
due  to  stone  or  gravel,  gritty  particles  are  usually  passed,  and  may 
be  detected  in  the  bottom  of  a  dish  in  which  the  liquid  is  caught.  If 
due  to  fracture  or  severe  sprain  of  the  loins,  it  is  likely  to  be  associ- 
ated not  only  with  some  loss  of  control  over  the  hind  limbs  and  with 
staggering  behind,  but  also  with  a  more  or  less  perfect  paralysis  of 
the  tail.  The  blood-stained  urine  without  red  globules  results  from 
specific  diseases— Texas  fever  (PL  XL VII,  fig.  3),  anthrax,  spirillosis, 


118  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

and  from  eating  irritant  plants  (broom,  savin,  mercury,  hellebore, 
ranunculus,  convolvulus,  colchicum,  oak  shoots,  ash,  privet,  hazel, 
hornbeam,  and  other  astringent,  acrid,  or  resinous  plants,  etc.).  The 
maybug  or  Spanish  fly  taken  with  the  food  or  spread  over  a  great  extent 
of  skin  as  a  blister  has  a  similar  action.  Frosted  turnips  or  other  roots 
will  bring  on  the  affection  in  some  subjects.  Among  conditions  which 
act  by  the  direct  destruction  of  the  globules  in  the  circulating  blood 
may  be  named  an  excess  of  water  in  that  fluid ;  the  use  of  water  from 
soils  rich  in  decomposing  vegetable  matter  and  containing  alkaline 
salts,  particularly  nitrites;  and  the  presence  in  the  water  and  food  of 
the  ptomaines  of  bacteria  growth.  Hence  the  prevalence  of  "red 
water"  in  marshy  districts  and  on  clayey  and  other  impervious  soils. 
Hence,  too,  the  occurrence  of  bloody  urine  in  the  advanced  stages  of 
several  contagious  diseases.  Some  mineral  poisons — such  as  iodin, 
arsenic,  and  phosphorus  taken  to  excess — may  cause  hematuria,  and 
finally  the  symptoms  may  be  the  mere  result  of  a  constitutional  predis- 
position of  the  individual  or  family  to  bleeding.  Exposure  of  the  body 
to  cold  or  wet  will  cause  the  affection  in  some  predisposed  subjects. 

The  specific  symptom  of  bloody  or  smoky  water  is  a  very  patent  one. 
It  may  or  may  not  be  associated  with  fever,  with  the  presence  or  absence 
of  abdominal  tenderness  on  pressure,  with  a  very  frothy  state  of  the 
milk  or  even  a  reddish  tinge,  with  or  without  marked  paleness  of  the 
mucous  membranes,  and  general  weakness.  When  direct  injury  to 
the  kidneys  is  the  immediate  cause  of  the  disease  the  urine  will  be 
passed  often,  in  small  quantity  at  a  time,  and  with  much  straining. 
When  there  is  bloodlessness  (a  watery  blood)  from  insufficient  nourish- 
ment, fever  is  absent  and  the  red  water  is  at  first  the  only  symptom. 
When  the  active  cause  has  been  irritant  plants,  abdominal  tenderness, 
colics,  and  other  signs  of  bowel  inflammation  are  marked  features. 

Treatment. — Treatment  will  vary  according  as  the  cause  has  been 
a  direct  irritant  operating  on  a  subject  in  vigorous  health  or  a  micro- 
bian  poison  acting  on  an  animal  deficient  in  blood  and  vigor.  In  the 
first  form  of  red  water  a  smart  purgative  (1  pound  to  1%  pounds 
Glauber's  salts)  will  clear  away  the  irritants  from  the  bowels  and  allay 
the  coexistent  high  fever.  It  will  also  serve  to  divert  to  the  bowels 
much  of  the  irritant  products  already  absorbed  into  the  blood,  and 
will  thus  protect  the  kidneys.  In  many  such  cases  a  liberal  supply  of 
wholesome,  easily  digestible  food  will  be  all  the  additional  treatment 
required.  In  this  connection  demulcent  food  (boiled  flaxseed,  wheat 
bran)  is  especially  good.  If  much  blood  has  been  lost,  bitters  (gen- 
tian, one-half  ounce)  and  iron  (sulphate  of  iron,  2  drains)  should  be 
given  for  a  week. 

For  cases  in  which  excess  of  diuretic  plants  has  been  taken,  it  may 
be  well  to  replace  the  salts  by  1  to  2  pints  olive  oil,  adding  1  ounce 
laudanum  and  2  drams  gum  camphor.  Also  to  apply  fomentations  or 
a  fresh  sheepskin  over  the  loins.     Buttermilk  or  vinegar,  one-half 


DISEASES    OF    THE    URINARY    ORGANS.  119 

pint,  or  sulphuric  acid,  60  drops  in  a  pint  of  water,  may  also  be 
employed  at  intervals  as  injections.  In  cases  due  to  sprained  or 
fractured  loins,  to  inflamed  kidneys,  or  to  stone  or  gravel,  the  treat- 
ment will  be  as  for  the  particular  disease  in  question. 

In  hematuria  from  anemia  (watery  blood),  whether  from  insuffi- 
cient or  badly  adjusted  rations  or  from  the  poisonous  products  of 
fermentations  in  impervious  or  marshy  soils,  the  treatment  must  be 
essentially  tonic  and  stimulating.  Rich,  abundant,  and  easily  diges- 
tible food  must  be  furnished.  The  different  grains  (oats,  barley, 
wheat,  bran,  rye)  and  seeds  (rape,  linseed,  cotton  seed)  are  especially 
called  for,  and  may  be  given  either  ground  or  boiled.  As  a  bitter, 
sulphate  of  quinia,  one-half  dram,  and  tincture  of  muriate  of  iron,  2 
drams,  may  be  given  in  a  pint  of  water  thrice  a  day.  In  some  cases 
1  or  2  teaspoonfuls  of  oil  of  turpentine  twice  daily  in  milk  will 
act  favorablj'. 

But  in  this  anemic  variety  prevention  is  the  great  need.  The  drain- 
age and  cultivation  of  the  dangerous  soils  is  the  main  object.  Until 
this  can  be  accomplished  young  and  newly  purchased  cattle,  not  yet 
inured  to  the  poisons,  must  be  kept  from  the  dangerous  fields  and 
turned  onby  on  those  which  are  already  drained  naturally  or  artificially. 
Further,  they  should  have  an  abundant  ration  in  which  the  local  prod- 
uct of  grass,  hay,  etc.,  is  supplemented  bjT  grain  or  other  seeds. 
Another  point  to  be  guarded  against  is  the  supply  of  water  that  has 
drained  from  marshes  or  impervious  soils,  rich  in  organic  matter,  as 
such  is  charged  with  nitrites,  ptomaines,  etc.,  which  directly  conduce 
to  the  disorder.  Fence  out  from  all  such  waters,  and  supply  from  liv- 
ing springs  or  deep  wells  only. 

ALBUMEN  IN   THE   URINE    (ALBUMINURIA). 

In  bloody  urine  albumen  is  always  present  as  an  important  con- 
stituent of  the  blood,  and  in  congested  and  inflamed  kidneys  it  is 
present  as  a  part  of  the  inflammatory  exudate.  Apart  from  these, 
albumen  in  the  urine  represents  in  different  cases  a  variety  of  diseased 
conditions  of  the  kidneys  or  of  distant  organs.  Among  the  additional 
causes  of  albuminuria  may  be  named:  (1)  An  excess  of  albumen  in  the 
blood  (after  easy  calving  with  little  loss  of  blood  and  before  the  secre- 
tion of  milk  has  been  established,  or  in  cases  of  sudden  suppression 
of  the  secretion  of  milk);  (2)  under  increase  of  blood  pressure  (after 
deep  drinking,  after  doses  of  digitalis  or  broom,  after  transfusion  of 
blood  from  one  animal  to  another,  or  in  disease  of  the  heart  or  lungs 
causing  obstruction  to  the  flow  of  blood  from  the  veins) ;  (3)  after 
cutting  (or  disease)  of  the  motor  nerves  of  the  vessels  going  to  the 
kidneys,  causing  congestion  of  these  organs;  (4)  violent  exertion, 
hence  long  drives  by  road ;  the  same  happens  with  violent  muscular 
spasms,  as  from  strychnia  poisoning,  lockjaw,  epilepsy,  and  convul- 
sions; (5)  in  most  fevers  and  extensive  inflammations  of  important 


120  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

organs,  like  the  lungs,  or  liver,  the  escape  of  the  albumen  being  vari- 
ously attributed  to  the  high  temperature  of  the  body  and  disorder  of 
the  nerves,  and  to  resulting  congestion  and  disorder  of  the  secreting 
cells  of  the  kidneys;  (6)  in  burns  and  some  other  congested  states  of 
the  skin;  (7)  under  the  action  of  certain  poisons  (strong  acids,  phos- 
phorus, arsenic,  Spanish  flies,  carbolic  acid,  and  those  inducing  bloody 
urine);  (8)  in  certain  conditions  of  weakness  or  congestion  of  the 
secreting  cells  of  the  kidneys,  so  that  they  allow  this  element  of  the 
blood  to  escape;  (9)  when  the  food  is  entirely  wanting  in  common 
salt,  albumen  may  appear  in  the  urine  temporarily  after  a  full  meal 
containing  an  excess  of  albumen.  It  can  also  be  produced  experi- 
mentally by  puncturing  the  back  part  of  the  base  of  the  brain  (the 
floor  of  the  fourth  ventricle  close  to  the  point  the  injury  to  which 
causes  sugary  urine).  In  abscess,  tumor,  or  inflammation  of  the  blad- 
der, ureter,  or  urethra,  the  urine  is  albuminous. 

It  follows,  therefore,  that  albumen  in  the  urine  does  not  indicate 
the  existence  of  any  one  specific  disease,  and  excepting  when  due  to 
weakness  or  loss  of  function  of  the  kidney  cells,  it  must  be  looked  on 
as  an  attendant  on  another  disease,  the  true  nature  of  which  we  must 
try  to  find  out.  These  affections  we  must  exclude  one-by  one  until 
we  are  left  to  assume  the  noninflammatory  disorder  of  the  secreting 
cells  of  the  kidney.  It  is  especially  important  to  exclude  inflamma- 
tion of  the  kidney,  and  to  do  this  may  require  a  microscopic  examina- 
tion of  the  sediment  of  the  urine  and  the  demonstration  of  the  entire 
absence  of  casts  of  the  uriniferous  tubes.     (See  "Nephritis,"  p.  121.) 

To  detect  albumen  in  the  urine,  the  suspected  and  frothy  liquid 
must  be  rendered  sour  by  adding  a  few  drops  of  nitric  acid  and  then 
boiled  in  a  test  tube,  if  a  solid  precipitate  forms,  then  add  a  few 
more  drops  of  nitric  acid,  and  if  the  liquid  does  not  clear  it  up  it  is 
albumen.  A  precipitate  thrown  down  by  boiling  and  redissolved  by 
nitric  acid  is  probably  phosphate  of  lime. 

Treatment. — Treatment  will  usually  be  directed  to  the  disease  on 
which  it  is  dependent.  In  the  absence  of  any  other  recognizable  dis- 
ease, mucilaginous  drinks  of  boiled  flaxseed,  slippery  elm,  or  gum 
may  be  given,  tannic  acid  one-half  dram  twice  daily,  and  fomenta- 
tions or  even  mustard  poultices  over  the  loins.  When  the  disease  is 
chronic  and  there  is  no  attendant  fever  (elevation  of  temperature), 
tonics  (hydrochloric  acid,  6  drops  in  a  pint  of  water;  phosphate  of 
iron,  2  drams,  or  sulphate  of  quinia,  2  drams,  repeated  twice  daily) 
may  be  used.  In  all  cases  the  patient  should  be  kept  carefully  from 
cold  and  wet;  a  warm,  dry  shed,  or  in  warm  weather  a  dry,  sunny 
yard  or  pasture,  being  especially  desirable. 

SUGAR  IN   URINE    (DIABETES   MELLITUS). 

This  is  a  frequent  condition  of  the  urine  in  parturition  fever,  but  is 
practically  unknown  in  cattle  as  a  specific  disease,  associated  with 


DISEASES    OF   THE    URINARY    ORGANS.  121 

deranged  liver  or  brain.     As  a  mere  attendant  on  another  disease  it 
will  demand  no  special  notice  here. 

INFLAMMATION    OF   THE    KIDNEYS    (NEPHRITIS). 

This  has  been  divided  according  as  it  affects  the  different  parts  of 
the  kidneys,  as:  (1)  Its  fibrous  covering  (perinephritis);  (2)  the 
secreting  tissue  of  its  outer  portion  (parenchymatous) ;  (3)  the  con- 
nective tissue  (interstitial);  (4)  the  lining  membrane  of  its  ducts 
(catarrhal);  and  (5)  its  pelvis  or  sac  receiving  the  urine  (pyelitis). 
It  has  also  been  distinguished  according  to  the  changes  that  take 
place  in  the  kidney,  especially  as  seen  after  death,  according  to  the 
amount  of  albumen  present  in  the  urine,  and  according  as  the  affec- 
tion is  acute  or  chronic.  For  the  purposes  of  this  work  it  will  be  con- 
venient to  consider  these  as  one  inflammatory  disease,  making  a 
distinction  merely  between  those  that  are  acute  and  those  that  are 
chronic  or  of  long  standing. 

The  causes  are  in  the  main  like  those  causing  bloody  urine,  such  as 
irritant  and  diuretic  plants,  Spanish  flies  applied  as  a  blister  or  other- 
wise, exposure  to  cold  and  wet,  the  presence  of  stone  or  gravel  in  the 
kidneys,  injuries  to  the  back  or  loins,  as  by  riding  each  other,  the 
drinking  of  alkaline  or  selenitious  water,  the  use  of  putrid,  stagnant 
water,  or  of  that  containing  bacteria  and  their  products,  the  consump- 
tion of  musty  fodder,  etc.     (See  "Hematuria,"  p.  117.) 

The  length  of  the  loins  in  cattle  predisposes  these  to  mechanical 
injury,  and  in  the  lean  and  especially  in  the  thin  working  ox  the  kid- 
ney is  very  liable  to  suffer.  In  the  absence  of  an  abundance  of  loose 
connective  tissue  and  of  fat,  the  kidneys  lie  in  close  contact  with  the 
muscles  of  the  loins,  and  any  injury  to  these  may  tend  to  put  the  kid- 
ney and  its  vessels  on  the  stretch,  or  to  cause  its  inflammation  by  direct 
extension  of  the  disease  from  the  injured  muscle  to  the  adjacent  kidney. 
Thus,  under  unusually  heavy  draft,  under  slips  and  falls  on  slippery 
ground,  under  sudden  unexpected  drooping  or  twisting  of  the  loins 
from  missteps  or  from  the  feet  sinking  into  holes,  under  the  loading 
and  jarring  of  the  loins  when  animals  ride  each  other  in  cases  of 
"heat,"  the  kidneys  are  subject  to  injury  and  inflammation.  A  hard 
run,  as  when  chased  by  a  dog,  may  be  the  occasion  of  such  an  attack. 
A  fodder  rich  in  nitrogenous  or  flesh-forming  elements  (beans,  peas, 
vetches  ( Vicia  sativa),  and  other  leguminous  plants)  has  been  charged 
with  irritating  the  kidneys  through  the  excess  of  urea,  hippuric  acid, 
and  allied  products  eliminated  through  these  organs  and  the  tendency 
to  the  formation  of  gravel.  It  seems,  however,  that  these  foods  are 
most  dangerous  when  partially  ripened  and  yet  not  fully  matured,  a 
stage  of  growth  at  which  they  are  apt  to  contain  ingredients  irritating 
to  the  stomach  and  poisonous  to  the  brain,  as  seen  in  their  inducing 
so-called  "stomach  staggers."  Even  in  the  poisoning  by  the  seeds  of 
ripened  but  only  partially  cured  rye  grass  (Lolium  perenne),  and 


122  DISEASES    OP    CATTLE. 

darnel  (Lolium  temulentum),  the  kidneys  are  found  violently  con- 
gested with  black  blood.  Also  in  the  indigestions  that  result  from 
the  eating  of  partially  ripened  corn  and  millet  some  congestion  of 
the  kidneys  is  an  attendant  phenomenon. 

Cruzel  claims  that  the  disease  as  occurring  locally  is  usually  not 
alone  from  the  acrid  and  resinous  plants  charged  with  inducing  hema- 
turia, but  also  from  stinking  chamomile  (Anthemis  cotula)  and  field 
poppy  when  used  in  the  fresh,  succulent  condition ;  also  from  the  great 
prevalence  of  dead  caterpillars  on  the  pasture,  or  from  dead  Spanish 
flies  in  the  stagnant  pools  of  water.  The  fresh  plants  are  believed  to 
be  injurious  only  by  reason  of  a  volatile  oil  which  is  dissipated  in  dry- 
ing. In  the  case  of  the  stagnant  water  it  may  be  questioned  whether 
the  chemical  products  of  the  contained  ferments  (bacteria)  are  not 
more  frequently  the  cause  of  the  evil  than  the  alleged  Spanish  flies, 
though  these  are  hurtful  enough  when  present. 

Inflammation  of  the  kidneys  may  further  be  a  form  or  an  extension 
of  a  specific  contagious  disease,  such  as  erysipelas,  rinderpest,  septi- 
cemia, or  even  of  poisoning  by  the  spores  of  fungi.  Rivolta  reports 
the  case  of  a  cow  with  spots  of  local  congestion  and  blood  staining  in 
the  kidney,  the  affected  parts  being  loaded  with  bacteria.  Unfortu- 
nately he  neither  cultivated  the  bacteria  nor  inoculated  them,  and 
thus  the  case  stands  without  positive  demonstration  that  these  were 
the  cause  of  disease. 

The  symptoms  of  nephritis  are  in  certain  cases  very  manifest,  and 
in  others  so  hidden  that  the  existence  of  the  affection  can  only  be  cer- 
tainly recognized  by  a  microscopic  examination  of  the  urine.  In  vio- 
lent cases  there  is  high  fever,  increase  of  the  body  temperature  to 
103°  F.  and  upward;  hurried  breathing,  with  catching  inspiration; 
accelerated  pulse;  dry,  hot  muzzle;  burning  of  the  roots  of  the  horns 
and  ears,  loss  of  appetite,  suspended  rumination,  and  indications  of 
extreme  sensitiveness  in  the  loins.  The  patient  stands  with  back 
arched  and  hind  legs  extended  backward  and  outward,  and  passes 
water  frequently,  in  driblets,  of  a  high  color  and  specific  gravity,  con- 
taining albumen  and  microscopic  casts.  (PL  XI,  fig.  5.)  When  made 
to  move,  the  patient  does  so  with  hesitation  and  groaning,  especially  if 
turned  in  a  narrow  circle;  and  when  pinched  on  the  flank,  just  beneath 
the  lateral  bony  processes  of  the  loins,  especially  on  that  side  on  which 
the  disease  predominates,  it  flinches  and  groans.  If  the  examination 
is  made  with  the  oiled  hand  introduced  through  the  last  gut  (rectum), 
the  pressure  upward  on  the  kidneys  gives  rise  to  great  pain  and 
efforts  to  escape  by  moving  away  and  by  active  contractions  of  the 
rectum  for  the  expulsion  of  the  hand.  Sometimes  there  is  a  distinct 
swelling  over  the  loins  or  quarter  on  one  or  both  sides.  In  uncas- 
trated  males  the  testicle  on  the  affected  side  is  drawn  up,  or  is  alter- 
nately raised  and  dropped.  In  all  there  is  a  liability  to  tremors  of 
the  thigh  on  the  side  affected. 


DISEASES    OF    THE    URINARY    ORGANS.  123 

In  some  severe  cases  colicky  pains  are  as  violent  as  in  the  worst 
forms  of  indigestion  and  spasms  of  the  bowels.  The  animal  fre- 
quently shifts  from  one  hind  foot  to  the  other,  stamps,  kicks  at  the 
belly,  looks  anxiously  at  its  flank  at  frequent  intervals,  moans  plain- 
tively, lies  down  and  quickly  gets  up  again,  grinds  its  teeth,  twists 
its  tail,  and  keeps  the  back  habitually  arched  and  rigid  and  the  hind 
feet  advanced  under  the  belly.  The  bowels  may  be  costive  and  the 
feces  glistening  with  a  coat  of  mucus,  or  they  may  be  loose  and  irri- 
table, and  the  paunch  or  even  the  bowels  may  become  distended  with 
gas  (bloating)  as  the  result  of  indigestion  and  fermentation.  In  some 
animals,  male  and  female  alike,  the  rigid  arched  condition  of  the  back 
will  give  way  to  such  undulating  movements  as  are  sometimes  seen 
in  the  act  of  coition. 

The  disease  does  not  always  appear  in  its  full  severity;  but  for  a 
day,  or  even  two,  there  may  be  merely  loss  of  appetite,  impaired  rumi- 
nation, a  disposition  to  remain  lying  down;  yet  when  the  patient  is 
raised,  it  manifests  suffering  by  anxiously  looking  at  the  flanks,  shift- 
ing or  stamping  of  the  hind  feet,  shaking  of  the  tail,  and  attempts  to 
urinate,  which  are  either  fruitless  or  lead  to  the  discharge  of  a  small 
quantity  of  high-colored  or  perhaps  bloody  urine. 

In  some  recent  slight  cases,  and  in  many  chronic  ones,  these  symp- 
toms may  be  absent  or  unobserved,  and  an  examination  of  the  urine 
will  be  necessary  to  reach  a  safe  conclusion.  The  urine  may  contain 
blood,  or  it  may  be  cloudy  from  contained  albumen,  which  coagulates 
on  heating  with  nitric  acid  (see  Albuminuria) ;  it  may  be  slightly 
glairy  from  pus,  or  gritty  particles  may  be  detected  in  it.  In  seeking 
for  casts  of  the  uriniferous  tubes,  a  drop  may  be  taken  with  a  fine 
tube  from  the  bottom  of  the  liquid  after  standing  and  examined  under 
a  power  magnifying  50  diameters.  If  the  fine  cylindroid  filaments 
are  seen  they  may  then  be  examined  with  a  power  of  200  or  250  diam- 
eters. (PI.  XI,  fig.  5.)  The  appearance  of  the  casts  gives  some  clue  to 
the  condition  of  the  kidneys.  If  made  up  of  large  rounded  or  slightly 
columnar  cells,  with  a  single  nucleus  in  each  cell  (epithelial),  they 
imply  comparatively  slight  and  recent  disease  of  the  kidney  tubes, 
the  detachment  of  the  epithelium  being  like  what  is  seen  in  any 
inflamed  mucous  surface.  If  made  up  largely  of  the  small  disk- 
shaped  and  nounucleated  red-blood  globules,  they  imply  escape  of 
blood,  and  usually  a  recent  injury  or  congestion  of  the  kidney — it  may 
be  from  sprains,  blows,  or  the  ingestion  of  acrid  or  diuretic  poisons. 
If  the  casts  are  made  of  a  clear,  waxy,  homogeneous  substance  (hya- 
line), without  any  admixture  of  opaque  particles,  they  imply  an 
inflammation  of  longer  standing,  in  which  the  inflamed  kidney  tubules 
have  been  already  stripped  of  their  cellular  (epithelial)  lining.  If  the 
casts  are  rendered  opaque  by  the  presence  of  minute  spherical  granu- 
lar cells,  like  white-blood  globules,  it  betokens  active  suppuration  of 
the  kidney  tubes.     In  other  cases  the  casts  are  rendered  opaque  by 


124  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

entangled  earthy  granules  (carbonate  of  lime),  or  crystals  of  some  other 
urinary  salts.  In  still  other  cases,  the  casts  entangle  clear,  refran- 
gent  globules  of  oil  or  fat,  which  may  imply  fatty  degeneration  of  the 
kidneys  or  injury  to  the  spinal  cord.  The  presence  of  free  pus  giv- 
ing a  glairy,  flocculent  appearance  to  the  urine  is  suggestive  of  inflam- 
mation of  the  urinary  pouch  at  the  commencement  of  the  excretory 
duct  (pelvis  of  kidney)  (PL  IX,  fig.  1),  especially  if  complicated  with 
gritty  particles  of  earthy  salts.  This  condition  is  known  as  pyelitis. 
In  the  chronic  cases  swelling  of  the  legs  or  along  the  lower  surface  of 
chest  or  abdomen,  or  within  these  respective  cavities,  is  a  common 
symptom.  So,  also,  stupor  or  coma,  or  even  convulsions,  may  super- 
vene from  the  poisonous  action  of  urea  and  other  waste  or  morbid 
products  retained  in  the  blood. 

Treatment. — In  the  treatment  of  acute  nephritis  the  first  considera- 
tion is  the  removal  of  the  cause.  Acrid  or  diuretic  plants  in  the 
food  must  be  removed,  and  what  of  this  kind  is  present  in  the  stom- 
ach or  bowels  may  be  cleared  away  by  a  moderate  dose  of  castor  or 
olive  oil;  extensive  surfaces  of  inflammation  that  have  been  blistered 
by  Spanish  flies  must  be  washed  clean  with  soapsuds;  sprains  of  the 
back  or  loins  must  be  treated  by  soothing  fomentations  or  poultices, 
or  by  a  fresh  sheepskin  with  its  fleshy  side  applied  on  the  loins,  and 
the  patient  must  be  kept  in  a  narrow  stall  in  which  it  can  not  turn  even 
its  head.  The  patient  must  be  kept  in  a  warm,  dry  building,  so  that 
the  skin  shall  be  kept  active  rather  than  the  kidneys.  Warm  blan- 
keting is  equally  important,  or  even  mustard  poultices  over  the  loins 
will  be  useful.  Blisters  of  Spanish  flies,  turpentine,  or  other  agent 
which  may  be  absorbed  and  irritate  the  kidneys  must  be  avoided.  The 
active  fever  may  be  checked  by  15  drops  tincture  of  aconite  every  four 
hours,  or  by  one-third  ounce  acetanilid.  If  pain  is  very  acute  1  ounce 
laudanum  or  2  drams  solid  extract  of  belladonna  will  serve  to  relieve. 
When  the  severity  of  the  disease  has  passed,  a  course  of  tonics 
(quinia,  2  drams,  or  gentian  powder,  4  drams,  daily)  may  be  given. 
Diuretics,  too,  ma}r  be  cautiously  given  at  this  advanced  stage  to 
relieve  dropsy  and  give  tone  to  the  kidneys  and  general  system  (oil 
of  turpentine,  2  teaspoonf uls ;  bicarbonate  of  soda,  1  teaspoonful, 
repeated  twice  a  day).  Pure  water  is  essential,  and  it  should  not  be 
given  chilled;  warm  drinks  are  preferable. 

In  the  chronic  forms  of  kidney  inflammation  the  same  protection 
against  cold  and  similar  general  treatment  are  demanded.  Tonics, 
however,  are  important  to  improve  the  general  health  (phosphate  of 
iron,  2  drams;  powdered  nux  vomica,  20  grains;  powdered  gentian  root, 
4  drams,  daily).  In  some  instances  the  mineral  acids  (nitric  acid,  60 
drops,  or  nitro-muriatic  acid,  60  drops,  daily)  maybe  employed  with  the 
bitters.  Mustard  applied  to  the  loins  in  the  form  of  a  thin  pulp  made 
with  water  and  covered  for  an  hour  with  paper  or  other  impervious 
envelope,  or  water  hotter  than  the  hand  can  bear,  or  cupping  may  be 


DISEASES    OF    THE    URINARY    ORGANS.  125 

resorted  to  as  a  counterirritant.  In  cupping  shave  the  loins,  smear 
them  with  lard,  then  take  a  narrow-mouthed  glass,  expand  the  air 
within  it  by  smearing  its  interior  with  a  few  drops  of  alcohol,  setting 
it  on  fire  and  instantly  pressing  the  mouth  of  the  vessel  to  the  oiled 
portion  of  the  skin.  As  the  air  within  the  vessel  cools  it  contracts, 
tending  to  form  a  partial  vacuum,  and  the  skin,  charged  with  blood, 
is  strongly  drawn  up  within  it.  Several  of  these  being  applied  at  once 
a  strong  derivation  from  the  affected  kidneys  is  secured.  In  no  case 
of  inflamed  or  irritable  kidney  should  Spanish  flies  or  oil  of  turpentine 
be  used  upon  the  skin. 

PARASITES   OF  THE   KIDNEY. 

As  the  kidney  is  the  usual  channel  by  which  the  bacteria  leave  the 
system,  this  organ  is  liable  to  be  implicated  when  microphytes  exist 
in  the  blood,  and  congestions  and  blood  extravasations  are  produced. 
In  anthrax,  Southern  cattle  fever  (Texas  fever),  and  other  such  affec- 
tions bloody  urine  is  the  consequence.  Of  the  larger  parasites  attack- 
ing the  kidney  may  be  specially  named  the  cystic  form  of  the  echino- 
coccus  tapeworm  of  the  dog,  the  cystic  form  of  the  unarmed  or  beef 
tapeworm  of  man,  the  diving  bladderworm — the  cystic  form  of  the 
marginate  tapeworm  of  the  dog,  and  the  giant  strongyle — the  largest 
of  the  roundworms.  These  give  rise  to  general  symptoms  of  kidney 
disease,  but  the  true  source  of  the  trouble  is  only  likely  to  be  detected, 
if  the  heads  or  hooklets  of  the  tapeworm  or  the  eggs  of  the  round- 
worm are  found  on  microscopic  examination  of  the  urine. 

TUMORS   OF   THE   KIDNEY  (HYPERTROPHY   OR   ATROPHY). 

The  kidney  may  be  the  seat  of  cancerous  or  simple  tumors,  and  it 
may  be  unnaturally  enlarged  or  reduced  in  size,  but  though  there  may 
be  signs  of  urinary  disorder  the  true  nature  of  the  disease  is  seldom 
manifest  until  after  death.  The  passing  of  blood  and  of  large  multi- 
nucleated cells  in  the  urine  (to  be  detected  under  the  microscope)  may 
betray  the  existence  of  an  ulcerated  cancer  of  the  kidney.  The  pres- 
ence of  cancerous  enlargement  of  (superficial)  lymphatic  glands  may 
further  assist  and  confirm  the  decision. 

RETENTION   OF   URINE. 

Inability  to  pass  urine  may  come  from  any  one  of  three  conditions — 
first,  spasm  of  the  neck  of  the  bladder;  second,  paralysis  of  the  body 
of  the  bladder;  third,  obstruction  of  the  channel  of  outlet  by  a  stone 
(calculus)  (see  PL  XI)  or  other  obstacle. 

In  spasm  of  the  neck  of  the  bladder  the  male  animal  may  stand  with 
the  tail  slightly  raised  and  making  rhythmical  contractions  of  the 
muscle  beneath  the  anus  (accelerator  urinai)  (see  PI.  IX,  fig.  2),  but 
without  passing  a  drop  of  liquid.     In  the  female  the  hind  legs  are 


126  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

extended  and  widely  parted,  and  the  back  is  arched  as  if  to  urinate, 
but  the  effort  is  vain.  If  the  oiled  hand  is  introduced  into  the  rectum 
or  vagina  in  the  early  stages  of  the  affection,  the  bladder  may  be  felt 
beneath  partially  filled,  but  not  overdistended  with  liquid,  and  its  neck 
or  mouth  firm  and  rigid.  In  the  more  advanced  stages  of  the  affection 
the  organ  is  felt  as  a  great,  tense,  elastic  bag,  extending  forward  into 
the  abdomen.  In  this  condition  the  overdistended  muscular  coat  of 
the  bladder  has  lost  its  power  of  contraction,  so  that  true  paralysis  has 
set  in,  the  muscle  closing  the  mouth  of  the  sack  alone  retaining  its 
contractile  power. 

In  paralysis  of  the  body  of  the  bladder  attention  is  rarely  drawn  to 
the  urinary  disorder  until  the  bladder  has  been  distended  to  full  reple- 
tion and  is  almost  ready  to  give  way  by  rupture  and  to  allow  the 
escape  of  the  contained  liquid  into  the  abdomen.  Overdistention  is 
the  most  common  cause  of  the  paralysis,  yet  it  may  occur  from  inflam- 
mation of  the  muscular  wall  of  the  bladder,  or  even  from  injury  to 
the  terminal  part  of  the  spinal  marrow.  In  this  last  condition,  how- 
ever, the  tail  is  likely  to  be  powerless,  and  the  neck  of  the  bladder 
may  also  be  paralyzed,  so  that  the  urine  dribbles  away  continuously. 

Causes. — Among  the  causes  of  spasm  of  the  neck  of  the  bladder  may 
be  named  the  lodgment  of  small  stones  or  gravel,  the  feeding  on  irri- 
tant diuretics  (see  "  Bloody  urine,  or  nephritis"),  the  enforced  reten- 
tion of  urine  while  at  work  or  during  a  painful  or  difficult  parturition. 
The  irritation  attendant  on  inflammation  of  the  mucous  membrane 
of  the  bladder  may  be  a  further  cause  of  spasm  of  the  neck,  as  may 
also  be  inflammation  of  the  channel  (urethra)  back  of  the  neck.  Exten- 
sive applications  of  Spanish  flies  to  the  skin,  the  abuse  of  diuretics, 
and  the  occurrence  of  indigestion  and  spasms  of  the  bowels  are 
further  causes.  So  long  as  spasmodic  colic  is  unrelieved,  retention  of 
water  from  spasm  of  the  neck  of  the  bladder  usually  persists. 

Treatment. — Treatment  will  depend  largely  on  the  cause.  In  indiges- 
tion the  irritant  contents  of  the  bowels  must  be  got  rid  of  by  laxatives 
and  injections  of  warm  water;  Spanish-fly  blisters  must  be  washed  from 
the  surface ;  a  prolonged  and  too  active  exertion  must  be  intermitted. 
The  spasm  may  be  relaxed  by  injecting  one-half  ounce  solid  extract 
of  belladonna  in  water  into  the  rectum  or  by  a  solution  of  tobacco. 
Chloroform  or  ether  may  be  given  by  inhalation,  or  chloral  hydrate  (1 
ounce)  may  be  given  in  water  by  the  mouth.  Fomentations  of  warm 
water  may  be  made  over  the  loins  and  between  the  thighs,  and  the 
oiled  hand  inserted  into  the  rectum  may  press  moderately  on  the 
anterior  part  of  the  bladder,  which  can  be  felt  as  an  elastic  fluctuat- 
ing bag  of  an  oval  shape  just  beneath. 

All  other  measures  failing,  the  liquid  must  be  drawn  off  through  a 
tube  (catheter).  This  is,  however,  exceedingly  difficult,  alike  in  male 
and  female,  and  we  can  not  expect  an  amateur  to  succeed  in  accom- 
plishing it.     In  the  cow  the  opening  into  the  bladder  is  found  in  the 


DISEASES    OF   THE    URINARY    ORGANS.  127 

median  line  of  the  floor  of  the  generative  entrance,  about  4  inches  in 
front  of  the  external  opening,  but  it  is  flanked  on  either  side  by  a  blind 
pouch,  into  which  the  catheter  will  pass,  in  ninety-nine  cases  out  of  a 
hundred,  in  the  hands  of  any  but  the  most  skilled  operator.  In  the 
bull  or  steer  the  penis,  when  retracted  into  its  sheath,  is  bent  upon 
itself  like  the  letter  S,  just  above  the  scrotum  and  testicles  (see  PL  IX, 
fig.  2),  and  unless  this  bend  is  effaced  by  extending  the  organ  forward 
out  of  its  sheath  it  is  quite  impossible  to  pass  a  catheter  beyond  this 
point.  When,  however,  the  animal  can  be  tempted  by  the  presenta- 
tion of  a  female  to  protrude  the  penis  so  that  it  can  be  seized  and 
extended,  or  when  it  can  be  manipulated  forward  out  cf  the  sheath,  it 
becomes  possible  to  pass  a  catheter  of  small  caliber  (one-third  inch  or 
under)  onward  into  the  bladder.  Youatt  advised  to  lay  open  the 
sheath  so  as  to  reach  and  extend  the  penis,  and  others  have  advocated 
opening  the  urethra  in  the  interval  between  the  thighs  or  just  beneath 
the  anus,  but  such  formidable  operations  are  beyond  the  stock  owner. 
The  incision  of  the  narrow  urethra  through  the  great  thickness  of  mus- 
cular and  erectile  bleeding  tissue  just  beneath  the  anus  is  especially  an 
operation  of  extreme  delicacy  and  difficulty.  Drawing  off  the  liquid 
through  the  tube  of  an  aspirator  is  another  possible  resort  for  the  pro- 
fessional man.  The  delicate  needle  of  the  aspirator  is  inserted  in 
such  cases  through  the  floor  of  the  vagina  and  upper  wall  of  the 
bladder  in  the  female,  or  through  the  floor  of  the  rectum  (last  gut) 
and  roof  of  the  bladder  in  the  male,  or  finally  through  the  lower  and 
back  part  of  the  abdominal  wall,  just  in  front  of  the  bones  of  the 
pelvis  (pubic  bones),  and  thence  through  the  lower  and  anterior  part 
of  the  bladder  near  its  blind  anterior  end.  After  relief  has  been 
obtained  the  administration  of  belladonna  in  2-dram  doses  daily  for 
several  days  will  tend  to  prevent  a  recurrence  of  the  retention. 

When  the  body  of  the  bladder  has  become  benumbed  or  paralyzed 
by  overdistention,  we  may  seek  to  restore  its  tone  by  doses  of  one-half 
a  dram  of  powdered  nux  vomica  repeated  daily,  and  by  mustard  plas- 
ters applied  over  the  loins,  on  the  back  part  of  the  belly  inferiorly, 
or  between  the  thighs.  Small  doses  (2  drams)  of  balsam  of  copaiba  are 
sometimes  useful  in  imparting  tone  to  the  partly  paralyzed  organ. 

INCONTINENCE  OF  URINE  (PALSY  OF  THE  NECK  OF  THE  BLADDER). 

This  may  occur  from  disease  or  injury  to  the  posterior  part  of  the 
spinal  cord  or  from  broken  back,  and  in  these  cases  the  tail  is  likely 
to  be  paralyzed,  and  it  may  be  also  the  hind  limbs.  In  this  case  the 
urine  dribbles  away  constantly,  and  the  oiled  hand  in  the  vagina  or 
rectum  will  feel  the  half-filled  and  flaccid  bladder  beneath  and  may 
easily  empty  it  by  pressure. 

Treatment. — Treatment  is  only  successful  when  the  cause  of  the 
trouble  can  be  remedied.  After  these  (sprains  of  the  back,  etc.)  have 
recovered,  blisters  (mustard)  on  the  loins,  the  lower  part  of  the  abdo- 


128  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

men,  or  between  the  thighs  may  be  resorted  to  with  success.  Two 
drams  daily  of  copaiba  or  of  solid  extract  of  belladonna  or  2  grains 
Spanish  flies  may  serve  to  restore  the  lost  tone.  These  failing,  the 
use  of  electric  currents  may  still  prove  successful. 

URINARY   CALCULI    (STONE,  OR   GRAVEL). 

[PI.  XI,  figs.  1,  2,  3.] 

Stone,  or  gravel,  consists  in  hard  bodies  mainly  made  up  of  the  solid 
earthy  constituents  of  the  urine  which  have  crystallized  out  of  that 
liquid  at  some  part  of  the  urinary  passage,  and  have  remained  as 
small  particles  (gravel),  or  have  concreted  into  large  masses  (stone, 
calculus).  In  cattle  it  is  no  uncommon  thing  to  find  them  distending 
the  practically  microscopic  tubes  in  the  red  substance  of  the  kidney, 
having  been  deposited  from  the  urine  in  the  solid  form  almost  as  soon 
as  that  liquid  has  been  separated  from  the  blood.  These  stones  appear 
as  white  objects  on  the  red  ground  formed  by  cutting  sections  of  the 
kidney,  and  are  essentially  products  of  the  dry  feed  of  winter,  and 
most  common  in  working  oxen,  which  are  called  upon  to  exhale  more 
water  from  the  lungs  and  skins  than  are  the  slop-fed  and  inactive 
cows.  Little  water  being  introduced  into  the  body  with  the  food,  and 
a  considerable  amount  being  expelled  with  the  breath  and  perspira- 
tion in  connection  with  the  active  life,  the  urine  becomes  small  in 
amount,  but  having  to  carry  out  all  waste  material  from  the  tissues 
and  the  tissue-forming  food,  it  becomes  so  charged  with  solids  that  it 
is  read}'  to  deposit  them  on  the  slightest  disturbance.  If,  therefore, 
a  little  of  the  water  of  such  concentrated  urine  is  reabsorbed  at  any 
point  of  the  urinary  passages,  the  remainder  is  no  longer  able  to  hold 
the  solids  in  solution,  and  they  are  at  once  precipitated  in  the  solid 
form  as  gravel  or  commencing  stone.  In  cattle,  on  the  other  hand, 
which  are  kept  at  pasture  in  summer,  or  which  are  fed  liberally  on 
roots,  potatoes,  pumpkins,  apples,  or  ensilage  in  winter,  this  concen- 
trated condition  of  the  urine  is  not  induced,  and  under  such  circum- 
stances, therefore,  the  formation  of  stone  is  practically  unknown. 
Nothing  more  need  be  said  to  show  the  controlling  influence  of  dry 
feeding  in  producing  gravel  and  of  a  wateiy  ration  in  preventing  it. 
Calculus  in  cattle  is  essentially  a  disease  of  winter,  and  of  such  cattle 
as  are  denied  succulent  food  and  are  confined  to  dry  fodder  as  their 
exclusive  ration.  While  there  are  exceptions,  they  are  so  rare  that 
they  do  not  invalidate  this  general  rule.  It  is  true  that  stone  in  the  kid- 
ney or  bladder  is  often  found  in  the  summer  or  in  animals  feeding  at 
the  time  on  a  more  or  less  succulent  ration,  yet  such  masses  usually  date 
back  to  a  former  period  when  the  animal  was  restricted  to  a  dry  ration. 

In  this  connection  it  should  be  noted  that  a  great  drain  of  water 
from  the  system  by  any  other  channel  than  the  kidneys  predisposes 
to  the  production  of  gravel  or  stone.  In  case  of  profuse  diarrhea,  for 
example,  or  of  excessive  secretion  of  milk,  there  is  a  corresponding 


DISEASES    OF   THE    URINARY    ORGANS.  129 

diminution  of  the  water  of  the  blood,  and  as  the  whole  amount  of  the 
blood  is  thus  decreased,  and  as  the  quantity  of  urine  secreted  is  largely 
influenced  by  the  fullness  of  the  blood  vessels  and  the  pressure  exerted 
upon  their  walls  from  within,  it  follows  that  with  this  decrease  of  the 
mass  of  the  blood  and  the  lessening  of  its  pressure  outward  there 
will  be  a  corresponding  decrease  of  urine.  The  waste  of  the  tissues, 
however,  goes  on  as  before,  and  if  the  waste  matter  is  passed  out 
through  the  kidneys  it  must  be  in  a  more  concentrated  solution,  and 
the  more  concentrated  the  urine  the  greater  the  danger  that  the  solids 
will  be  deposited  as  small  crystals  or  calculi. 

Again,  the  concentrated  condition  of  the  urine  which  predisposes 
to  such  deposits  is  favored  by  the  quantity  of  lime  salts  that  may  be 
present  in  the  water  drunk  by  the  animal.  Water  that  contains  20 
or  30  grains  of  carbonate  or  sulphate  of  lime  to  the  gallon  must  con- 
tribute a  large  addition  of  solids  to  the  blood  and  urine  as  compared 
with  soft  waters  from  which  lime  is  absent.  In  this  connection  it  is  a 
remarkable  fact  that  stone  and  gravel  in  the  domesticated  herbivora 
are  notoriously  prevalent  on  many  limestone  soils,  as  on  the  limestone 
formations  of  central  and  western  New  York,  Pennsylvania,  Ohio, 
and  Michigan;  on  the  calcareous  formations  of  Norfolk,  Suffolk,  Der- 
byshire, Shropshire,  and  Gloucestershire,  in  England;  in  Landes  in 
France,  and  around  Munich  in  Bavaria.  It  does  not  follow  that  the 
abundance  of  lime  in  the  water  and  fodder  is  the  main  cause  of  the 
calculi,  since  other  poisons  which  are  operative  in  the  same  districts 
in  causing  goiter  in  both  man  and  animal  probably  contribute  to  the 
trouble,  yet  the  excess  of  earthy  salts  in  the  drinking  water  can  hardly 
fail  to  add  to  the  saturation  of  both  blood  and  urine,  and  thereby  to 
favor  the  precipitation  of  the  urinary  solids  from  their  state  of  solution. 

The  known  results  of  feeding  cattle  a  generous  or  forcing  ration  in 
which  phosphate  of  lime  is  present  to  excess  adds  additional  force  to 
the  view  just  advanced.  In  the  writer's  experience,  the  Second  Duke 
of  Oneida,  a  magnificent  product  of  his  world-famed  family,  died  as 
the  result  of  a  too  liberal  allowance  of  wheat  bran,  fed  with  the  view 
of  still  further  improving  the  bone  and  general  form  of  the  Duchess 
strain  of  Shorthorns.  Lithotomy  was  performed  and  a  number  of 
stones  removed  from  the  bladder  and  urethra,  but  the  patient  suc- 
cumbed to  an  inflammation  of  the  bowels,  induced  by  the  violent 
purgatives  given  before  the  writer  arrived,  under  the  mistaken  idea 
that  the  straining  had  been  caused  by  intestinal  impaction.  In  this 
case  not  only  the  Second  Duke  of  Oneida,  but  the  other  males  of  the 
herd  as  well,  had  the  tufts  of  hairs  at  the  outlet  of  the  sheath  encased 
in  hard,  cylindroid  sheaths  of  urinary  salts,  precipitated  from  the 
liquid  as  it  ran  over  them.  The  tufts  were  in  reality  resolved  into  a 
series  of  hard,  roller-like  bodies,  more  or  less  constricted  at  intervals, 
as  if  beaded. 

61386—08 9 


130 


DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 


When  it  is  stated  that  the  ash  of  the  whole  grain  of  wheat  is  but  3 
per  cent,  while  the  ash  of  wheat  bran  is  7.3  per  cent,  and  that  in  the 
case  of  the  former  46.38  per  cent  of  the  ash  is  phosphoric  acid,  and  in 
that  of  the  latter  50  per  cent,  it  can  easily  be  understood  how  a  too 
liberal  use  of  wheat  bran  should  prove  dangerous  if  fed  dry.  The 
following  table  shows  the  relative  proportion  of  ash  and  phosphoric 
acid  in  wheat  bran  and  in  some  common  farm  seeds: 

Ash  and  phosphoric  acid  in  bran  and  some  common  farm  seeds. 


Kind  of  grain. 


*_»,       Phosphoric 
1  acid  in  ash. 


Phosphoric 
acid  in  the 
entire  food. 


Wheat  bran 

Wheat,  grain 

Oats,  grain 

Barley,  grain 

Bean,  grain 

Peas,  grain. 

Tare,  grain  ._ 

Indian  corn,  grain 
Rye,  grain  _ 


Per  ct. 
7.3 
3 

2.50 
3.10 
3.10 
2.75 
3 

1.5 
1.6 


Per 


cent. 
50 

46.38 
26.5 
39.6 
31.9 
34.8 
36.2 


Per  cent. 

3.65 

1.3914 
.6625 

1.2276 
.9864 
.957 

1.086 


39.9 


.6384 


Wheat  bran,  it  will  be  observed,  contains  three  times  as  much  phos- 
phoric acid  as  is  found  in  any  of  the  other  grains,  and  four  times  as 
much  as  oats,  beans,  pease,  or  rye;  so  that  if  fed  in  excess  it  will 
readily  overcharge  the  urine  with  phosphates. 

There  is  another  point  to  be  considered,  however,  in  estimating  this 
danger.  Wheat  bran  contains  a  far  greater  amount  of  albuminoids 
and  other  nitrogen-containing  constituents  than  the  common  grains 
(these  being  made  up  mainly  of  starch,  which  contains  no  nitrogen); 
and,  all  nitrogen-bearing  products  contained  in  the  blood  and  tissues 
being  expelled  from  the  body  mainly  through  the  kidneys  in  the  form 
of  urea  and  (in  cattle)  hippuric  acid,  it  follows  that  the  excess  of 
urea  formed  when  such  food  is  consumed  must  load  the  urine  with 
solids  and  bring  it  constantly  nearer  to  the  point  of  saturation,  when 
such  solids  (or  the  least  soluble  of  them)  must  be  deposited. 

The  following  table  will  show  the  relative  amounts  of  the  nitrogen- 
bearing  products  in  wheat  bran  and  some  of  our  common  grains: 
Nitrogenous  matter  in  wheat  bran  and  some  common  farm  seeds. 


Kind  of  grain. 


Albuminoids 
(nitroge- 
nous). 


Woody  fiber 
(nitroge- 
nous). 


Total  nitrog 
enous-bear- 
ing  constit- 
uents. 


Wheat  bran.. 
Wheat,  grain 
Barley,  grain. 
Oats,  grain... 
Rye,  grain  ... 
Indian  corn . . 


Percent. 
16.1 
12.5 
12.4 
11.8 
10.6 
10.1 


Per  cent. 


1.8 
2.7 
9.5 
1.7 
1.7 


Per  cent. 

24.1 
14.3 
15.1 
21.3 
12.3 
11.8 


DISEASES    OF   THE    URINARY    ORGANS.  131 

It  will  be  observed  that,  with  the  exception  of  oats,  none  of  the 
grains  contain  more  than  two-thirds  of  the  nitrogenous  material 
present  in  the  wheat  bran,  while  in  the  case  of  rye  and  maize  there  is 
practically  but  one-half.  Even  in  the  case  of  oats  the  albuminoids, 
which  are  the  more  digestible  principles,  and  therefore  those  that 
are  the  most  easily  and  speedily  converted  into  urea,  are  present  only 
to  the  amount  of  two-thirds  of  that  which  exists  in  the  wheat  bran. 
With  such  an  excess  of  ash,  of  phosphates,  and  of  nitrogenous  (urea- 
forming)  constituents  in  wheat  bran,  its  tendency  to  favor  the  forma- 
tion of  calculi  is  fully  explained.  It  must  not,  however,  be  inferred 
that  wheat  bran  is  not  a  valuable  foodstuff.  The  inference  is  only 
that  it  should  be  fed  with  an  abundance  of  water,  as  a  sloppy  mash, 
or  in  combination  with  an  abundance  of  roots,  potatoes,  pumpkins, 
or  other  succulent  aliment. 

In  this  connection  the  presence  of  magnesia  in  the  food  or  water 
must  be  named  as  favoring  calculous  formations  in  the  urinary  pas- 
sages. The  explanation  is  that  while  the  phosphate  of  magnesia 
thrown  out  in  the  urine  is  soluble  in  water,  the  compound  phosphate 
of  ammonia  and  magnesia  is  insoluble,  and,  accordingly,  if  at  any 
time  ammonia  is  introduced  into  urine  containing  the  phosphate  of 
magnesia,  there  is  instantly  formed  the  ammonio-magnesium  phos- 
phate, which  is  as  promptly  deposited  in  the  solid  form.  The  com- 
mon source  of  ammonia  in  such  cases  is  from  decomposition  of  the 
urea  in  fermenting  urine.  But  in  order  to  produce  this  a  ferment  is 
necessary,  and  therefore,  as  an  additional  prerequisite,  the  presence 
of  bacteria,  or  fungi,  in  the  urine  is  essential.  These  ferments  may 
make  their  way  from  without  along  the  urinary  passage  (urethra), 
and  their  propagation  in  the  bladder  is  greatly  favored  by  the  pro- 
longed retention  of  urine,  as  in  case  of  spasm  of  the  neck  of  the 
bladder  or  obstruction  by  an  already  existing  stone.  Another  mode 
of  entrance  of  the  ferment  is  an  uncleanly  catheter  used  to  draw  off 
the  urine.  Still  another  is  the  elimination  through  the  kidneys  of 
the  bacteria  of  infectious  diseases,  or  of  such  as,  without  producing 
a  general  infection,  yet  determine  fermentation  in  the  urine.  The 
precipitation  is  favored  not  only  by  the  production  of  ammonia,  but 
also  by  the  formation  of  viscid  (colloid)  products  of  fermentation.  In 
this  sense  bacteria  are  most  important  factors  in  causing  gritty 
deposits  in  the  urine. 

Another  insoluble  salt  which  enters  largely  into  the  composition  of 
many  urinary  calculi  of  the  ox  is  carbonate  of  lime.  This  is  derived 
mainly  from  the  lime  in  the  food  and  water  and  from  the  carbon  dioxid 
formed  by  the  oxidation  of  the  organic  acids  in  the  fodder.  These 
organic  acids,  being  composed  of  carbon,  hydrogen,  and  oxygen  (with- 
out nitrogen),  are  resolved  by  the  addition  of  oxygen  into  carbon 
dioxid  (C02)  and  water  (H20).  The  carbon  dioxid  unites  with  the 
lime  in  the  blood  to  form  carbonate  of  lime,  and  in  this  state  passes 


132 


DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 


into  the  urine.  Now,  carbonate  of  lime  is  soluble  in  water  containing 
free  or  uncombined  carbon  dioxid,  but  is  precipitated  whenever  the 
latter  is  withdrawn.  It  is  only  necessary,  therefore,  to  have  in  the 
urine  sufficient  lime  or  other  available  base  to  unite  with  all  the  free 
carbon  dioxid  in  order  to  bring  about  the  precipitation  of  the  dis- 
solved carbonate  of  lime  in  the  solid  crystallized  form.  Hence  it  is 
that,  of  all  sediments  in  the  urine  of  herbivora,  this  is  the  most  fre- 
quent and  usually  the  most  abundant. 

A  less  common  constituent  of  urinary  calculi  is  the  insoluble  oxalate 
of  lime.  In  this  case  the  lime  is  derived  as  before  from  the  food  or 
water,  or  both,  while  the  oxalic  acid  is  a  product  of  the  oxidation  of 
organic  acids  of  the  food,  less  oxygen  having  been  used  than  in  the 
formation  of  carbon  dioxid.  The  final  product  of  the  complete  oxida- 
tion of  these  acids  is  carbon  dioxid,  but  when  less  oxygen  is  furnished 
owing  to  some  disease  of  the  lungs  or  a  disease  of  the  nerve  centers, 
which  lessens  the  activity  of  the  breathing,  then  oxalic  acid  may  be 
produced.  Then  if  this  oxalic  acid  comes  in  contact  with  lime,  it  is 
instantly  precipitated  as  crystals  of  oxalate  of  lime. 

Another  inorganic  substance  at  times  found  in  urinary  calculi  is 
silica  (Si02).  This  contributes  largely  to  giving  stiffness  to  the  stems 
of  growing  plants,  and  in  most  of  our  cereals  and  grasses  makes  up  a 
large  proportion  of  the  ashes  of  the  burnt  plant.  It  is  found  in  the 
soluble  form  in  combination  as  silicate  of  potash,  but  at  times  is  dis- 
placed by  oxalic  or  other  acid  and  then  appears  as  gritty,  sandj^  par- 
ticles in  the  stem.  This  gritty,  insoluble  silica  is  especially  noticeable 
among  the  horsetails  (Equisetacece),  bamboos,  and  sedges.  The  per- 
centage of  silica  in  the  ash  of  several  common  fodder  plants  is  given 
below : 

Silica  in  ash  of  various  fodder  plants. 


Ash  of- 


Wheat  straw.. 
Oats  and  husk 

Oat  straw 

Barley  straw . . 
Rye  straw 


Silica. 


Per  cent. 
67.6 
38.6 
a5.4 
73.1 
64.4 


Ash  of — 


Rye-grass  hay. 
Wheat  chaff  . . . 

Oat  chaff 

Barley  awn 


Silica. 


Per  cent. 
64.57 

81.2 
59. 9 

70. 7 


It  is  only  soluble  silica  that  is  taken  up  into  the  system,  and  it  is  in 
this  form  (usually  as  silicate  of  potash  or  soda)  that  it  enters  the  urine, 
but  all  that  is  wanted  to  precipitate  it  in  crystalline  form  as  a  gritty 
sand  is  the  presence  of  oxalic  or  other  acid  having  a  stronger  affinity 
for  its  base  (potash  or  soda). 

Other  conditions,  however,  enter  largely  into  the  causation  of  stone, 
or  gravel.  A  high  density  of  urine  resulting  from  a  highly  saturated 
condition  is  often  present  for  a  length  of  time  without  any  precipita- 
tion of  solid  materials.      Urea  and  carbonates   may  be  present  in 


DISEASES    OF    THE    URINARY    ORGANS.  133 

excess,  the  food  may  be  given  dry,  and  drinking  water  may  be  deficient 
in  amount  without  any  deposition  of  stone,  or  gravel.  The  presence 
of  noncrystalline  organic  matter  in  the  urine  becomes  in  such  cases  an 
exciting  cause.  Rainey  and  Ord  have  shown  experimentally  that  col- 
loid (noncrystallizable)  bodies  like  mucus,  epithelial  cells,  albumen, 
pus,  blood,  hyaline  casts  of  the  kidney  tubes,  etc.,  not  only  determine 
the  precipitation  of  crystallizable  salts  from  a  strong  solution,  but  they 
determine  the  precipitation  in  the  form  of  globular  masses,  or  minute 
spheres,  which,  by  further  similar  accessions,  become  stones,  or  calculi, 
of  various  sizes.  The  salts  that  are  deposited  by  mere  chemical  reac- 
tion without  the  intervention  of  colloids  appear  in  the  form  of  sharply 
defined  angular  crystals,  and  hence  the  rough,  jagged  crystals  of  oxa- 
late of  lime  or  ammonio-magnesium  phosphate.  Heat  intensifies  the 
action  of  the  colloids  in  causing  precipitation  of  the  dissolved  salts,  so 
that  the  temperature  of  the  kidneys  and  bladder  constitute  favorable 
conditions.  Colloids  that  are  undergoing  decomposition  are  also  spe- 
cially powerful,  so  that  the  presence  of  bacteria,  or  fungi,  causing  fer- 
mentation is  an  important  factor. 

In  looking,  therefore,  for  the  immediate  causes  of  urinary  calculi  we 
must  accord  a  high  place  to  all  those  conditions  which  determine  the 
presence  of  excess  of  mucus,  albumen,  pus,  blood,  kidney  casts,  blood- 
coloring  matter,  etc.,  in  the  urine.  A  catarrhal  inflammation  of  the 
pelvis  of  the  kidney,  of  the  ureter,  or  of  the  bladder,  generating  excess 
of  mucus  or  pus;  inflammation  of  the  kidneys,  causing  the  discharge 
into  the  urinary  passages  of  blood,  albumen,  or  hyaline  casts;  inflam- 
mation of  the  liver,  lungs,  or  other  distant  organ,  resulting  in  the 
escape  of  albumen  in  the  urine;  disorders  of  the  liver  or  of  the  blood- 
forming  functions,  resulting  in  hematuria  or  hemoglobinuria;  sprains 
or  other  injuries  to  the  back,  or  disease  of  the  spinal  marrow,  which 
cause  the  escape  of  blood  with  the  urine;  the  presence  in  the  bladder 
of  a  bacterian  ferment,  which  determines  the  decomposition  of  the 
mucus  and  urea,  the  evolution  of  ammonia  and  the  consequent 
destruction  of  the  protecting  cellular  (epithelial)  lining  of  the  blad- 
der, or  the  irritation  caused  by  the  presence  of  an  already  formed 
calculus,  may  produce  the  colloid  or  uncrystallizable  body  that  proves 
so  effective  in  the  precipitation  of  stone  or  gravel.  It  has  long  been 
known  that  calculi  will  almost  infallibly  form  around  any  foreign 
body  introduced  into  the  kidney  or  bladder,  and  I  have  seen  a  large 
calculous  mass  surrounding  a  splinter  of  an  arrow  that  had  penetrated 
and  broken  off  in  the  body  of  a  deer.  The  explanation  is  now  satis- 
factory— the  foreign  body  carries  in  with  it  bacteria,  which  act  as  fer- 
ments upon  the  urine  and  mucus  in  addition  to  the  mechanical  injury 
caused  by  its  presence.  If  such  a  body  has  been  introduced  through 
the  solid  tissues,  there  is,  in  addition,  the  presence  of  the  blood  and 
lymph  derived  from  the  wounded  structures. 


134  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

CLASSIFICATION   OF   URINARY   CALCULI. 

Urinary  calculi  are  most  conveniently  divided  according  to  the  local- 
ity in  which  they  are  found.  Thus  we  find  first  renal  calculi,  formed 
in  the  kidney  (PL  XI,  fig.  1),  and  which  for  cattle  must  be  again 
divided  into  calculi  of  the  uriniferous  tubes  and  calculi  of  the  pelvis. 
The  second  class  are  named  ureteral  calculi,  because  they  are  found  in 
the  duct  leading  from  the  kidney  to  the  bladder  (ureter).  The  third 
class  are  the  vesical  calculi,  from  the  bladder  or  vesicle  in  which  they 
are  found.  The  fourth  class  are  the  urethral  calculi,  and  are  found  in 
the  duct  leading  outward  from  the  bladder  through  the  penis  (urethra). 
The  fifth  and  last  class  are  the  preputial  calculi,  since  they  are  found 
within  the  sheath  of  the  penis  (prepuce). 

Calculi  may  also  be  classed  according  to  their  chemical  composition, 
and  this  has  the  advantage  of  suggesting  the  special  cause  of  each  as 
found  in  the  food,  water,  soil,  or  general  condition  of  health.  This 
classification  affords  no  guide  to  their  location  or  symptoms,  as  calculi 
of  the  same  chemical  composition  may  be  found  at  any  part  of  the  uri- 
nary passages,  as  those  formed  in  the  kidney  may  pass  on  through  all 
the  various  passages  outward,  unless  it  is  found  at  any  point  of  their 
progress  that  they  have  grown  so  large  that  the  passage  will  not  admit 
them.  The  following  are  among  the  concretions  found  in  the  various 
parts : 

(1)  Coralline  calculi. — These  are  of  a  dull- white  color  and  irregular 
surface,  like  coral.  They  are  made  up  of  hard  and  resistant  layers 
evenly  deposited  around  a  central  nucleus.  (PI.  XI,  fig.  3. )  Their 
specific  gravity  is  1.760,  water  being  1.000,  and  they  contain  74  per  cent 
of  carbonate  of  lime  with  some  carbonate  of  magnesia,  organic  matter, 
and  a  trace  of  carbonate  of  iron.  Yellowish  white,  smooth,  round  cal- 
culi of  the  same  chemical  composition  are  met  with. 

(2)  Pearly  calculi. — These  are  more  frequent  than  the  first-named 
variety.  They  are  very  hard  and  smooth  on  the  surface,  reflecting  a 
play  of  various  colors  after  the  fashion  of  a  pearl.  This  peculiarity 
appears  to  be  caused  by  the  thinness  and  semitransparency  of  the 
superposed  layers.  They  have  a  specific  gravity  of  2.109  to  2.351,  and 
nearly  the  same  chemical  composition  as  the  coralline  variety.  Gold- 
ing  Bird  found  a  specimen  of  this  kind  formed  of  carbonate  of  lime 
and  organic  matter  only. 

(3)  Green  calculi  (metalloid  calculi). — These  are  usually  small  and 
numerous,  as  they  are  exceedingly  common.  They  are  of  a  very  hard 
consistency,  and  have  a  clear,  polished,  greenish  surface  of  almost 
metallic  brilliancy.  They  have  a  specific  gravity  of  2.301,  and  a  com- 
position almost  identical  with  the  second  variety. 

(4)  White  calculi. — Pure,  white,  smooth,  lustrous  calculi  are  rare. 
They  have  a  specific  gravity  of  2.307,  and  contain  as  much  as  92  per 
cent  of  carbonate  of  lime  with  carbonate  of  magnesia  and  organic 
matter. 


DISEASES    OF    THE    URINARY    ORGANS.  135 

(5)  Ammonio-magnesium  calculi. — These  are  of  a  grayish  color  and 
a  very  rough  crystalline  surface,  which  proves  very  irritating  to  the 
mucous  membrane.  They  have  a  specific  gravity  of  1.109  to  1.637, 
and  are  composed  chiefly  of  ammonio-magnesium  phosphate,  oxalate 
of  lime,  and  organic  matter,  with  some  little  carbonate  of  lime  and 
magnesia. 

(6)  Siliceous  calculi. — These  are  clear,  smooth,  and  hard,  and  usu- 
ally spherical.  They  have  a  specific  gravity  of  1.265  to  1.376,  and 
contain  57  per  cent  of  silica  with  carbonates  of  iron  and  magnesia, 
organic  matter,  and  traces  of  iron.  In  other  specimens  of  siliceous 
calculi  there  was  a  specific  gravity  of  3.122,  and  there  was  79  to  85 
per  cent  of  carbonate  of  lime  together  with  carbonate  of  magnesia, 
and  iron,  silica,  and  organic  matter.  Others  are  almost  exclusively 
made  of  silica. 

(7)  Oxalate  of  lime  calculi  (mulberry  calculi)  (PI.  XI,  fig.  2). — These 
are  characterized  by  their  extremely  rough,  angular  surface,  formed 
by  the  octahedral  crystals  of  oxalate  of  lime.  Their  specific  gravity 
may  be  3.441,  and  they  contain  oxalate  of  lime  to  the  extent  of  81 
per  cent,  together  with  carbonates  of  lime  and  magnesia  and  organic 
matter. 

(8)  Gravel  (pultaceous  deposits). — Simple  crystals  maybe  met  with 
at  any  point  from  the  kidneys  to  the  external  opening  at  the  end  of 
the  prepuce  (sheath),  and  they  may  appear  singly,  as  crystals,  or  they 
may  accumulate  in  masses  of  fine  spherical  crystals  almost  like  dirty 
powdered  chalk  suspended  in  water.  In  the  ox  this  is  especially  com- 
mon as  a  collection  in  the  sheath,  distending  that  into  a  soft,  doughy 
swelling. 

FORMS   OF   CALCULI   IN   DIFFERENT   SITUATIONS. 

Apart  from  the  rough  crystalline  surfaces  of  the  calculi  of  oxalate 
of  lime  and  ammonio-magnesium  phosphate,  the  general  tendency  is 
to  a  smooth,  round  outline.  At  times,  however,  they  show  more  or 
less  flattening  with  rounded  angular  edges,  caused  by  the  contact  and 
mutual  friction  of  two  calculi.  Sometimes  two  or  more  stones  lying 
together  become  united  into  one  by  a  new  external  deposit,  and  the 
resulting  mass  then  shows  rounded  swellings  on  opposite  sides.  The 
large  calculi  occupying  the  pelvis  of  the  kidneys  usually  shows  a 
central  part  having  the  outline  of  the  main  cavity  of  the  pelvis  and 
two  or  more  projections  that  have  been  molded  into  corresponding 
branches  or  channels  which  lead  to  corresponding  lobes  of  the  kidney. 
In  winter  and  spring  small  concretions  in  the  form  of  plates  are  often 
met  with  in  the  branches  of  the  pelvis,  having  been  formed  and 
molded  in  the  confined  space  between  the  projecting  papilla  and  the 
surrounding  cup-like  branch  of  the  pelvis.  Finally,  the  pulp-like 
deposits  in  the  sheath  and  elsewhere  are  made  up  of  globular  masses, 
individually  so  small  as  to  be  often  practically  microscopic. 


136  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

STONE    IN   THE    KIDNEY  (RENAL    CALCULI). 

[PL  XI,  fig.  1.] 

In  an  animal  leading  the  quiet,  uneventful  life  of  the  ox,  stones  of 
large  size  may  be  present  in  the  kidney  without  producing  any  dis- 
order appreciable  to  the  people  about  him.  In  cattle  fattened  on  dry 
food  in  winter,  on  our  magnesian  limestone  of  New  York,  it  is  excep- 
tional to  find  the  substance  of  the  kidney  free  from  calculi  about  the 
size  of  a  grain  of  wheat  or  less,  and  standing  out  as  white  objects  in 
the  general  red  of  the  cut  surface  of  the  organ.  Similarly  around  the 
papilla?  in  the  cup-like  arms  of  the  pelvis  we  find  minute  flattened  or 
more  or  less  rounded  yellowish  white  concretions.  Even  the  large 
concretions  may  prove  apparently  harmless.  I  have  a  calculus  sev- 
eral ounces  in  weight  which  filled  the  entire  pelvis  of  the  kidney,  which 
was  found  by  accident  in  a  fat  carcass  while  being  dressed.  In  work 
oxen,  however,  such  concretions  may  give  rise  to  symptoms  of  kidney 
disease,  such  as  stiffness  of  the  loins,  shown  especially  in  the  acts 
of  rising  or  turning,  weakness  of  the  hind  parts  when  set  to  pull  a 
heavy  load,  an  irritability  of  the  kidneys,  shown  by  the  frequent  pas- 
sage of  urine  in  small  quantity,  tenderness  of  the  loins,  shown  when 
they  are  pinched  or  lightly  struck,  and  it  may  be  the  passage  of  blood 
or  minute  gritty  masses  with  the  urine.  If  the  attack  is  severe,  what 
is  called  "renal  colic  "  (kidney  colic)  may  be  shown  by  frequent  uneasy 
shifting  of  the  hind  limbs,  shaking  or  twisting  of  the  tail,  looking 
round  at  the  flanks,  and  lying  down  and  rising  again  at  short  inter- 
vals without  apparent  cause.  The  frequent  passage  of  urine,  the 
blood  or  gritty  masses  contained  in  it,  and  perhaps  the  hard,  stony 
cylinders  around  the  tufts  of  hair  of  the  sheath,  show  that  the  source 
of  the  suffering  is  the  urinary  organs.  In  bad  cases  active  inflamma- 
tion of  the  kidneys  may  set  in.     (See  "Nephritis,"  p.  121.) 

URETERAL    CALCULI. 

These  are  small  stones  which  have  passed  from  the  pelvis  of  the 
kidney  into  the  canal  (ureter)  leading  from  the  kidney  to  the  bladder, 
but,  being  too  large  to  pass  on  easily,  have  blocked  that  canal  and 
forced  the  urine  back  upon  the  kidney.  The  result  is  the  production 
of  symptoms  more  violent  than  in  renal  calculi,  though  not  varying, 
save  in  intensity,  from  those  of  renal  colic.  In  case  of  complete  and 
unrelieved  obstruction,  the  secretion  of  the  kidney  on  that  side  is 
entirely  abolished,  and  it  becomes  the  seat  of  passive  congestion,  and 
it  may  even  be  absorbed  in  greater  part  or  as  a  whole,  leaving  only  a 
fibrous  sac  containing  fluid  witli  a  urinous  odor.  In  small  cattle,  in 
which  the  oiled  hand  introduced  into  the  last  gut  may  reach  the 
affected  part,  the  distended  ureter  may  be  felt  as  a  tense,  elastic  cord, 
extending  forward  from  the  point  of  obstruction  on  the  lateral  wall  of 
the  pelvis  and  beneath  the  loius  toward  the  kidney.     If  relief   is 


DISEASES    OF    THE    URINARY    ORGANS.  137 

obtained  by  the  onward  passage  of  the  stone  a  free  flow  of  urine 
usually  follows,  in  the  midst  of  which  may  often  be  found  gritty 
masses.  If  the  outlets  from  both  kidneys  are  similarly  blocked,  the 
animal  becomes  poisoned  by  the  retention  in  the  blood  of  the  elements 
of  the  urine,  and  by  their  reabsorption  after  secretion. 

Treatment  of  renal  and  ureteral  calculi. — Treatment  is  not  very  suc- 
cessful, as  only  the  smallest  calculi  can  pass  through  the  ureter  and 
enter  the  bladder,  and  even  if  they  should  do  so  they  are  liable  to  a 
progressive  increase  there,  so  that  later  they  may  cause  the  symptoms 
of  stone  in  the  bladder.  Fortunately,  ordinary  dairy,  growing,  or 
fattening  cattle  rarely  show  evident  symptoms  of  illness,  and  though 
they  should  do  so  they  can  usually  be  fattened  and  slaughtered  before 
the  health  is  seriously  impaired.  In  work  oxen  the  case  is  different,  and 
acute  symptoms  may  develop,  but  even  then  the  animal  may  often  be 
fitted  for  the  butcher.  When  treatment  is  demanded  it  is  primarily 
soothing  and  antispasmodic.  Fomentations  with  warm  water  over  the 
loins  should  be  persisted  in  without  intermission  until  relief  has  been 
secured.  The  soothing  effect  on  the  kidney  will  often  relieve  inflam- 
mation and  irritation,  should  the  stone  be  in  that  situation,  while  if  in 
the  ureter  the  warm  fomentations  will  at  once  soothe  irritation,  relax 
spasm  of  the  muscular  coat  of  the  canal,  and  favor  an  abundant  secre- 
tion from  the  kidney,  which,  pressing  on  the  obstructing  stone,  may 
slowly  push  it  on  into  the  bladder.  Large  doses  of  laudanum  (2 
ounces)  or  of  solid  extract  of  belladonna  (2  drams)  will  not  only  soothe 
the  pain  but  relax  the  spasm  and  favor  the  onward  passage  of  the 
calculus.  The  animal  should  be  encouraged  to  drink  large  quantities 
of  cool  water  to  favor  the  free  secretion  of  a  very  watery  urine,  which 
will  not  only  serve  to  obviate  irritation  and  continued  deposit  caused 
by  a  highly  concentrated  urine,  but  will  press  the  stone  onward  toward 
the  bladder,  and  even  in  certain  cases  will  tend  to  disintegrate  it  by 
solution  of  some  of  its  elements,  and  thus  to  favor  its  crumbling  and 
expulsion.  This  is  a  principle  which  must  never  be  lost  sight  of  in 
the  treatment  of  calculi.  The  immersion  of  the  stone  in  a  liquid  of  a 
lower  specific  gravity  than  that  in  which  it  has  formed  and  grown  tends 
to  dissolve  out  the  more  soluble  of  its  component  parts,  and  thus  to 
destroy  its  density  and  cohesion  at  all  points,  and  thereby  to  favor  its 
complete  disintegration  and  expulsion.  This  explains  why  cattle 
taken  from  a  herd  on  our  magnesian  limestone  in  spring,  after  the 
long  dry  feeding  of  winter,  usually  furnish  renal  calculi,  while  cattle 
from  the  same  herd  in  the  fall,  after  a  summer's  run  on  a  succulent 
pasture,  are  almost  always  free  from  concretions.  The  abundance  of 
liquid  taken  in  the  green  food  and  expelled  through  the  kidneys  and 
the  low  density  or  Avatery  nature  of  the  urine  have  so  opened  the 
texture  and  destroyed  the  density  of  the  smaller  stones  and  gravel 
that  they  have  all  been  disintegrated  and  removed.  This,  too,  is  the 
main  reason  why  benefit  is  derived  from  a  prolonged  stay  at  mineral 


138  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

springs  by  the  human  victims  of  gravel.  If  they  had  swallowed  the 
same  number  of  quarts  of  pure  water  at  home  and  distributed  it  at 
suitable  intervals  over  each  day,  they  would  have  benefited  largely 
without  a  visit  to  the  springs. 

It  follows  from  what  has  been  just  said  that  a  succulent  diet,  includ- 
ing a  large  amount  of  water  (gruels,  sloppy  mashes,  turnips,  beets, 
potatoes,  apples,  pumpkins,  ensilage,  succulent  grasses),  is  an  impor- 
tant factor  in  the  relief  of  the  milder  forms  of  stone  and  gravel. 

Prevention. — Prevention  of  calculus  especially  demands  this  supply 
of  water  and  watery  rations  on  all  soils  and  in  all  conditions  in  which 
there  is  a  predisposition  to  tl  is  disease.  It  must  also  be  sought  by 
attempts  to  obviate  all  those  conditions  mentioned  above  as  causative 
of  the  malady.  Sometimes  good  rain  water  can  be  furnished  in  lime- 
stone districts,  but  putrid  or  bad  smelling  rain  water  is  to  be  avoided 
as  probably  more  injurious  than  that  from  the  limestone.  Unsuccess- 
ful attempts  have  been  made  to  dissolve  calculi  by  alkaline  salts  and 
mineral  acids,  respectively,  but  their  failure  as  a  remedy  does  not 
necessarily  condemn  them  as  preventives.  One  dram  of  caustic 
potash  or  of  hydrochloric  acid  may  be  given  daily  in  the  drinking 
water.  In  diametrically  opposite  ways  these  attack  and  decompose 
the  less  soluble  salts  and  form  new  ones  which  are  more  soluble 
and  therefore  little  disposed  to  precipitate  in  the  solid  form.  Both 
are  beneficial  as  increasing  the  secretion  of  urine.  In  cases  where 
the  diet  has  been  too  highly  charged  with  phosphates  (wheat  bran, 
etc.),  these  aliments  must  be  restricted  and  water  allowed  ad  libitum. 
Where  the  crystals  passed  with  the  urine  are  the  sharp  angular 
(octahedral)  ones  of  oxalate  of  lime,  then  the  breathing  should  be 
made  more  active  by  exercise,  and  any  disease  of  the  lungs  subjected 
to  appropriate  treatment.  If  the  crystals  are  triangular  prisms  of 
ammonia-magnesium  phosphate  or  star-like  forms  with  feathery  rays, 
the  indications  are  to  withhold  the  food  or  water  that  abounds  in 
magnesia  and  check  the  fermentation  in  the  urine  by  attempts  to 
destroy  its  bacteria.  In  the  latter  direction  plenty  of  pure  water, 
diuretics,  and  a  daily  dose  of  oil  of  turpentine  in  milk,  or  a  dose  thrice 
a  day  of  a  solution  containing  one-tenth  grain  each  of  biniodide  of 
mercury  and  iodide  of  potassium  would  be  indicated. 

In  considering  the  subject  of  prevention,  it  must  never  be  forgotten 
that  any  disease  of  a  distant  organ  which  determines  the  passage  from 
the  blood  into  the  urine  of  albumen  or  any  other  colloid  (uncrystalliz- 
able)  body  is  strongly  provocative  of  calculus,  and  should,  if  possible, 
be  corrected.  Apart  from  cases  due  to  geological  formation,  faulty 
feeding,  and  other  causes,  the  grand  preventive  of  calculus  is  a  long 
summer's  pasturage  of  succulent  grasses,  or  in  winter  a  diet  of  ensilage 
or  other  succulent  food. 

The  calculi  formed  in  part  of  silica  demand  special  notice.  This 
agent  is  secreted  in  the  urine  in  the  form  of  silicate  of  potash  and  is 


DISEASES    OF   THE    URINARY    ORGANS.  139 

thrown  down  as  insoluble  silica  when  a  stronger  acid  displaces  it  by 
combining  with  the  potash  to  its  exclusion.  In  cases  of  siliceous 
calculi,  accordingly,  the  appropriate  chemical  prevention  is  caustic 
potash,  which  being  present  in  the  free  state  would  attract  to  itself 
any  free  acid  and  leave  the  silica  in  its  soluble  condition  as  silicate  of 
potash. 

STONE  IN  THE  BLADDER  (VESICAL  CALCULUS,  OR  URETHRAL  CALCULUS). 

Stone  in  the  bladder  may  be  of  any  size,  but  in  the  ox  does  not 
usually  exceed  half  an  inch  in  diameter.  There  may,  however,  be  a 
number  of  small  calculi;  indeed,  they  are  sometimes  so  small  and 
numerous  as  to  form  a  small  pulpy  magma  by  which  the  bladder  is 
considerably  distended. 

Symptoms. — The  symptoms  of  stone  in  the  bladder  may  be  absent 
until  one  of  the  masses  escapes  into  the  urethra,  but  when  this  occurs 
the  escape  of  urine  is  prevented,  or  it  is  allowed  to  pass  in  drops  or 
driblets  only,  and  the  effect  of  such  obstruction  becomes  manifest. 
The  point  of  obstruction  is  not  always  the  same,  but  it  is  most  fre- 
quently at  the  S-shaped  curve  of  the  penis,  just  above  the  testicles  or 
scrotum.  In  cows  and  heifers  the  urethra  is  so  short  and  becomes  so 
widely  dilated  during  the  urination  that  the  calculi  easily  escape  in 
the  flow  of  liquid  and  dangerous  symptoms  practically  never  appear. 

Even  in  the  male  the  signs  of  illness  are  at  first  very  slight.  A 
close  observer  may  notice  the  cylinders  of  hard,  earthy  materials 
encircling  the  tufts  of  hair  at  the  opening  of  the  prepuce.  It  may 
further  be  observed  that  the  stall  remains  d  ry  and  that  the  animal  has 
not  been  seen  to  pass  water  when  out  of  doors.  The  tail  may  at  times 
be  gently  raised  and  contractions  of  the  muscle  (accelerator  urince) 
beneath  the  anus  (PI.  IX,  fig.  2)  may  take  place  in  a  rhythmical  or 
pulsating  manner.  But  as  a  rule  no  symptom  is  noticed  for  a  couple 
of  days,  only  the  animal  is  lacking  in  his  usual  spirits.  By  this  time 
the  constantly  accumulating  urine  has  distended  the  bladder  beyond 
its  power  of  resistance  and  a  rupture  occurs,  allowing  the  urine  to 
escape  into  the  cavity  of  the  abdomen.  Then  dullness  increases;  the 
animal  lies  down  most  of  his  time ;  he  becomes  stupid  and  sometimes 
drowsy,  with  reddish  brown  congestion  of  the  lining  membrane  of  the 
eyelids;  pressure  on  the  abdomen  causes  pain,  flinching,  and  perhaps 
groaning,  and  the  lowest  part  of  the  belly  fluctuates  more  and  more  as 
the  escaping  urine  accumulates  in  greater  and  greater  amount.  If  at 
this  stage  the  oiled  hand  is  introduced  into  the  rectum  (last  gut),  the 
animal  flinches  when  pressure  is  made  downward  on  the  floor  of  the 
pelvis,  and  no  round,  distended  bladder  is  felt.  If  the  same  examina- 
tion is  made  prior  to  the  rupture  the  rounded,  tense,  elastic  bladder 
is  felt  extending  forward  into  the  abdomen,  containing  one  or  two 
gallons  of  liquid.     There  may  be  uneasy  shifting  of  the  hind  limbs 


140  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

and  twisting  of  the  tail,  also  frequent  lying  down  and  rising,  hut 
these  symptoms  are  exceptional. 

When  the  obstruction  is  low  down  between  the  thighs  (at  the  S- 
shaped  flexure),  the  line  of  the  pulsating  urethra  from  the  anus  down- 
ward may  be  felt  distended  with  liquid,  and  though  it  is  seldom  easy 
to  distinguish  the  exact  seat  of  the  stone  by  the  hard  swelling  of  the 
urethra,  yet  there  is  usually  tenderness  at  the  point  of  obstruction, 
and  from  this  it  may  be  accurately  located. 

Treatment. — The  treatment  of  stone  in  the  bladder  or  urethra  con- 
sists in  the  removal  of  the  stone  by  incision  and  the  use  of  forceps. 
(PI.  XI,  fig.  4.)  When  the  stone  has  been  arrested  at  the  S-shaped 
flexure  just  above  the  scrotum,  the  patient  being  lean,  the  thickened 
tender  part  of  the  penis  may  be  seized  between  the  fingers  and  thumb 
of  the  left  hand,  while  the  calculus  is  exposed  by  a  free  incision  with 
the  knife  held  in  the  right.  If  there  is  no  other  obstruction  between 
this  point  and  the  bladder,  and  if  the  latter  has  not  yet  ruptured,  a 
flow  of  urine  should  take  place  from  the  opening.  If  there  is  no  escape 
of  liquid  a  catheter  or  sound,  one-fourth  of  an  inch  in  diameter,  must 
be  passed  up  through  the  canal  (urethra)  until  it  is  arrested  by  the 
next  stone,  on  which  a  similar  incision  should  then  be  made  to  effect 
its  extraction.  In  case  the  stone  has  been  arrested  in  the  portion  of 
the  urethra  which  is  in  front  of  the  arch  of  the  hip  bone  and  inside 
the  pelvis,  it  can  only  be  reached  hy  making  an  opening  into  the  ure- 
thra beneath  the  anus  and  over  the  arch  of  the  hip  bone,  and  from 
this  orifice  exploring  the  urethra  with  fine  forceps  to  the  neck  of  the 
bladder  or  until  the  stone  has  been  reached  and  extracted.  The  opera- 
tion requires  a  very  accurate  knowledge  of  the  parts,  owing  to  the 
small  size  of  the  canal  (urethra)  to  be  opened  and  the  great  thickness 
of  erectile  tissue  to  be  cut  through,  while  the  free  flow  of  blood  is 
blinding  to  the  operator.  A  staff  should  always  be  passed  up  through 
the  urethra  from  the  lower  wound,  if  such  has  been  made,  or,  in  case 
of  its  absence,  through  the  whole  length  of  the  penis,  that  organ  hav- 
ing been  drawn  out  of  its  sheath -until  the  S-shaped  curve  has  been 
effaced  and  the  course  of  the  canal  rendered  straight.  Upon  the  end 
of  this  staff  the  incision  can  be  made  with  far  more  confidence  and 
certainty.  The  operation  can  only  be  undertaken  by  a  skilled  veter- 
inary anatomist,  but  the  hints  given  above  may  be  valuable  in  show- 
ing the  stock  owner  when  he  is  being  properly  served  in  such  a  case. 

In  outlying  districts,  where  no  skilled  operator  can  be  had,  a  trans- 
verse incision  may  be  made  with  a  clean  sharp  knife  through  the  root 
of  the  penis,  just  over  the  arch  of  the  hip  bone,  when  the  urine  will 
flow  out  in  a  full  stream.  The  attendant  bleeding  may  be  ignored,  or 
if  profuse  it  may  be  checked  by  packing  the  wound  firmly  with  cotton 
wool  for  some  hours.  The  urine  will  continue  to  escape  by  the  wound, 
and  the  ox  should  be  fattened  for  the  butcher. 


DISEASES    OF    THE    URINARY    ORGANS.  141 

The  immediate  relief  is  not  to  be  looked  upon  as  a  permanent  cure, 
as  the  calculi  in  the  affected  ox  are  usually  numerous  and  later  attacks 
are  therefore  to  be  looked  for.  Hence  it  is  desirable  to  fatten  and 
kill  such  cases  after  a  successful  operation.  If  a  breeding  animal  is 
too  valuable  to  be  killed,  he  should  be  subjected  to  preventive  meas- 
ures, as  laid  down  under  "Stone  in  the  kidney,"  page  136. 

It  should  be  added  that  when  the  bladder  is  filled  with  a  soft  magma 
a  catheter  may  be  introduced  through  the  whole  length  of  the  urethra, 
to  be  employed  in  pumping  water  into  the  bladder.  This  water  is 
extracted  through  the  same  channel  when  it  has  been  charged  with 
the  suspended  solids  by  manipulations  of  the  bladder  with  the  oiled 
hand  introduced  through  the  rectum. 

Calculi,  or  gra  vel,  in  the  prepuce,  or  sheath. — This  is  usually  a  collec- 
tion of  gravel,  or  a  soft,  putty-like  material  which  causes  a  distinct 
swelling  of  the  sheath  and  gives  it  a  soft,  doughy  feeling  when  handled. 
It  may  be  removed  in  part  by  the  oiled  fingers  introduced  into  the 
cavity,  assisted  by  manipulation  from  without,  or  a  tube  m&y  be 
inserted  until  the  end  extends  behind  the  collection  and  water 
pumped  in  until  the  whole  mass  has  been  evacuated.  Should  even 
this  fail  of  success  the  sheath  may  be  slit  open  from  its  orifice  back 
in  the  median  line  below  until  the  offending  matter  can  be  reached 
and  removed.  In  all  such  cases  the  interior  of  the  sheath  should  be 
finally  lubricated  with  sweet  oil  or  vaseline.  It  is  unnecessary  to 
stitch  up  the  wound  made  in  the  sheath.  (See  "Inflammation  of  the 
sheath,"  p.  149.) 


DISEASES  OF  THE  URINARY  ORGANS. 

DESCRIPTION   OF   PLATES. 

Plate  IX: 

Fig.  1.  Kidney  of  the  ox.  Taken  from  Handbuch  des  Vergleichenden  Anat- 
omie  des  Haus  Saugethiere,  vol.  7,  1890:  A,  renal  artery  carrying  blood 
into  the  kidney;  V,  renal  vein  carrying  blood  from  the  kidney  back  to  the 
heart;  H,  ureter,  the  tube  carrying  the  urine  from  kidney  to  bladder.  It 
is  formed  by  the  union  of  a  number  of  branches  which  begin  as  cups 
(calices) ,  each  inclosing  the  tip  of  a  conical  mass  of  tissue  from  which 
the  urine  exudes.  1,  Showing  such  papilla  through  the  cup,  or  calyx, 
surrounding  it;  2,  papillae  with  the  cups  inclosing  them  cut  in  half  to 
show  their  relation  to  each  other. 

Fig.  2.  The  male  genital  organs  of  the  ox.  Taken  from  Leisering,  Mueller  & 
Ellenberger,  Handbuch  des  Verg.  Anat.  des  Haus  Saugethiere:  1,  scrotum, 
or  the  pouch  containing  the  testicles;  2,  tunica  vaginalis,  the  serous  mem- 
brane enveloping  the  testicles;  3',  right  testicle,  outer  view;  3',  left  testi- 
cle, inner  view;  4.  epididymis,  or  the  beginning  of  the  excretory  canal  of 
the  testicle;  4',  globus  major,  or  the  head  of  the  epididymis;  4",  globus 
minor,  or  the  tail  of  the  epididymis;  5,  vas  deferens,  the  duct  through  which 
the  seminal  fluid  reaches  the  ejaculatory  ducts;  5,  pelvic  dilatation  of  the 
vas  deferens;  6,  vesicula  seminalis.  The  vesicuke  seminales  are  two  oval 
pouches,  which,  in  addition  to  their  own  secretions,  receive  the  semen 
conveyed  by  the  seminal  ducts  and  hold  it  in  reserve  until  copulation;  7, 
membranous  or  intrapelvic  portion  of  the  urethral  canal  covered  by  Wil- 
son's muscle:  8,  part  of  the  prostate  gland  covered  by  Wilson's  muscle; 
9,  Cowper's  gland.  This  gland,  like  the  prostate  gland,  secretes  a  fluid 
which  is  thrown  into  the  urethral  canal  in  abundance  immediately  before 
ejaculation;  the  expulsion  of  the  semen  is  by  this  means  facilitated;  10, 
ej  aculator  seminis ,  or  accelerator  urinae  muscle ;  1 1 ,  penis ;  11' ,  cut  portion 
of  same;  12,  cut  suspensory  ligaments  of  penis;  13,  sheath,  or  prepuce 
laid  open;  14,  retractor  muscles  of  sheath;  15,  cremaster  muscle  cut  at 
superior  extremity;  16,  duplicature  of  peritoneum;  17,  ureters  carrying 
urine  from  the  kidneys  to  the  bladder. 
Plate  X: 

Fig.  1.  In  this  figure  the  minute  apparatus  for  the  secretion,  collection,  and 
discharge  of  the  urine  into  the  pelvis  of  the  kidney  (see  preceding  plate) 
is  shown.  The  course  is  as  follows:  The  urine  is  secreted  from  the  blood 
vessels  in  the  little  round  bodies  called  glomeruli  (12), and  by  the  minute 
cells  in  the  curved  tubes  (11,  9, 10,  8),  and  passes  through  the  convoluted 
and  straight  tubes  (7,  6)  into  the  larger  tube  (1),  and  then  out  into  the 
pelvis,  thence  through  the  ureters  into  the  bladder.  The  fluid  and  salts 
dissolved  in  the  urine  are  taken  from  the  blood,  and  the  minute  blood 
vessels  are  therefore  very  abundant  in  the  kidneys,  as  is  shown  by  the 
branches  and  network  on  the  left  of  the  figure.  The  blood  passes  into  tho 
kidney  in  the  artery  (13),  then  divides  into  branches  which  pass  into  the 
142 


Diseases  of  Cattle. 


PLATE  IX. 


KIDNEY  AND  GENERATIVE  ORGANS. 


Diseases  of  Cattle. 


P.LATE  X. 


Geo.  Marx,  after  D'Arboval 


MICROSCOPIC  ANATOMY  OF  THE   KIDNEY. 


Diseases  of  Cattle. 


PLATE  XI. 


^ 


3.       >> 


Hainef.  dp]    after Hiirtrel  D'ArbovaL. 


Calculi  of  Kidney  and  bladder. 


DISEASES    OF   THE    URINARY    ORGANS.  148 

Plate  X — Continued. 

glomeruli  (12)  and  also  form  networks  around  the  secreting  tubules  (11,9). 
The  urine  and  salts  pass  from  these  vessels  through  the  cells  lining  the 
tubules  into  the  latter,  and  are  discharged  as  described  above.  The  blood 
is  again  collected  in  veins  drawn  black  in  the  figure. 

Fig.  2.  Illustrates  the  manner  in  which  the  blood  is  distributed  in  the  glom- 
erulus/, and  also  to  the  secreting  tubules  (e). 

Fig.  3.  Shows  the  relation  between  the  blood  vessel  in  the  glomerulus  (e)  and 
the  tubule  which  conducts  the  urine  therein  secreted  from  the  blood  ves- 
sel; (c)  represents  a  glomerulus  from  which  the  urinary  tubule  has  been 
removed. 
Plate  XI: 

Fig.  1.  Calculus,  or  stone,  from  the  kidney.  These  are  located  in  the  pelvis  or 
portion  of  the  ureter  receiving  the  urine.  The  prolongations  are  casts  of 
the  branches  of  the  pelvis.  See  the  plates  of  the  kidney  for  further 
description. 

Fig.  2.  Calculus  made  up  of  oxalate  of  lime  magnified  215  times. 

Fig.  3.  Phosphatic  calculus  containing  a  nucleus  of  uric  acid,  sawn  through 
to  show  concentric  layers. 

Fig.  4.  Straight  forceps  used  in  removing  stones  from  the  bladder. 

Fig.  5.  Casts  of  the  minute  tubules  of  the  kidney  found  in  the  urine  in  various 
kinds  of  kidney  disease.     Highly  magnified. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  GENERATIVE  ORGANS. 

By  James  Law,  F.  R.  C.  V.  S., 
Professor  of  Veterinary  Science,  etc.,  in  Cornell  University. 

Diseases  of  the  generative  organs  are  practically  confined  to  animals 
which  are  kept  for  reproduction  and  the  dairy.  The  castration  of 
the  bull  condemns  these  organs  to  inactivity  and  protects  them  from 
the  many  causes  of  injury  attendant  on  the  engorged  blood  vessels 
in  the  frequent  periods  of  sexual  excitement,  on  the  exposure  to 
mechanical  violence,  and  on  the  exposure  to  infective  inoculation. 
In  three  respects  the  castrated  male  is  especially  subject  to  disease: 
(1)  To  inflammation  and  tumefaction  of  the  cut  end  of  the  cord  that 
supported  the  testicle  and  of  the  loose  connective  tissue  of  the  scro- 
tum; (2)  to  inflammation  of  the  sheath  and  penis  from  the  accumu- 
lation of  gravel  in  the  former,  from  which  the  penis  is  not  usually 
protruded  in  passing  water;  and  (3)  to  bruising,  abrasion,  and  inflam- 
mation of  the  sheath  and  penis  during  suspension  in  the  stocks  for 
the  purpose  of  shoeing.  Apart  from  these,  the  ox  is  practically  almost 
exempt  from  the  inflammations  and  injuries  of  the  genital  organs. 
The  same  applies  to  the  castrated  heifer.  Inflammation  may  occur  in 
the  broad  ligament  of  the  womb  whence  the  ovary  has  been  removed, 
or  infective  inflammation  in  the  abdominal  cavity  (peritonitis)  in  case 
the  operation  has  been  performed  through  the  flank,  as  it  usually  is 
in  the  young  heifer.  Apart  from  these,  the  castrated  heifer  is  prac- 
tically immune  from  any  trouble  of  the  generative  apparatus.  Even 
the  virgin  heifer  is  little  subject  to  such  troubles,  though  she  is  not 
exempt  from  inflammations,  and  above  all,  morbid  growths  in  the 
ovaries  which  are  well  developed  and  functionally  very  active  after 
the  first  year,  or  in  precocious  animals  after  the  first  few  months  of 
life.  The  breeding  cow,  on  the  other  hand,  is  subjected  to  all  the 
disturbances  attendant  on  the  gradual  enlargement  of  the  womb,  the 
diversion  of  a  large  mass  of  blood  to  its  walls,  the  constant  drain  of 
nutrient  materials  of  all  kinds  for  the  nourishment  of  the  fetus,  the 
risks  attendant  and  consequent  on  abortion  and  parturition,  the  dan- 
gers of  infection  from  the  bull,  the  risks  of  sympathetic  disturbance 
in  case  of  serious  diseases  of  other  organs,  but  preeminently  of  the 
urinary  organs  and  the  udder,  and  finally  the  sudden  extreme 
derangements  of  the  circulation  and  of  the  nervous  functions  which 
attend  on  the  sudden  revulsion  of  a  great  mass  of  blood  from  the 
walls  of  the  contracting  womb  into  the  body  at  large  immediately 
after  calving. 
144 


DISEASES    OF    THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  145 

In  reviewing  this  class  of  diseases,  therefore,  we  have  to  note,  first, 
that  they  are  almost  exclusively  restricted  to  breeding  animals;  and, 
second,  that  in  keeping  with  the  absolute  difference  of  the  organs  in 
the  male  and  female  we  find  two  essentially  distinct  lists  of  diseases 
affecting  the  two  sexes. 

EXCESS     OF   VENEREAL    DESIRE    (SATYRIASIS    IN    MALE,    OR    NYMPHO- 
MANIA  IN   FEMALE). 

This  may  occur  in  the  male  from  too  frequent  sexual  intercourse,  or 
from  injury  and  congestion  of  the  base  of  the  brain  (vaso-dilator  cen- 
ter in  the  medulla),  or  of  the  posterior  end  of  the  spinal  cord,  or  it 
may  be  kept  up  by  congestion  or  inflammation  of  the  testicles  or  of 
the  mucous  membrane  covering  the  penis.  It  may  be  manifested  by 
a  constant  or  frequent  erection,  by  attempts  at  sexual  connection, 
and  sometimes  by  the  discharge  of  semen  without  connection.  In  bad 
cases  the  feverishness  and  restlessness  lead  to  loss  of  flesh,  emacia- 
tion, and  physical  weakness. 

It  is,  however,  in  the  female  especially  that  this  morbid  desire  is 
most  noticeable  and  injurious.  It  may  be  excited  by  the  stimulating 
quality  of  the  blood  in  cows  fed  to  excess  on  highly  nitrogenous  food, 
as  the  seeds  of  the  bean,  pea,  vetch,  and  tare,  and  as  wheat  bran, 
middlings,  cotton  seed,  gluten  meal,  etc.,  especially  in  the  case  of  such 
as  have  no  free  exercise  in  the  fields,  and  are  subject  to  constant  asso- 
ciation with  a  vigorous  young  bull.  A  more  frequent  cause  is  the 
excitation  or  congestion  of  some  part  of  the  genital  organs.  Disease 
of  the  ovaries  is  preeminently  the  cause,  and  this  may  be  by  the  forma- 
tion of  cysts  (sacs  containing  liquid)  or  of  solid  tumors  or  degenera- 
tions, or,  more  commonly  than  all,  the  deposition  of  tubercle.  Indeed, 
in  case  of  tuberculosis  attacking  the  abdominal  organs  of  cows,  the 
ovaries  or  the  serous  membranes  that  support  and  cover  them  (the 
broad  ligaments  of  the  womb)  are  peculiarly  subject  to  attack  and 
the  animal  has  constant  sexual  excitement,  incessantly  riding  or 
being  ridden  by  other  cattle,  having  no  leisure  to  eat  or  chew  the  cud, 
but  moving  restlessly,  wearing  the  flesh  off  its  bones,  and  gradually 
wasting.  In  some  localities  these  cows  are  known  as  "bullers," 
because  they  are  nearly  always  disposed  to  take  the  bull,  but  they  do 
not  conceive,  or,  if  they  do,  they  are  subject  to  early  abortions.  They 
are,  therefore,  useless  alike  for  the  dairy  and  for  the  feeder,  unless 
the  removal  of  the  ovaries  subdues  the  sexual  excitement,  when,  in 
the  absence  of  tuberculous  disease  elsewhere,  they  may  be  fattened 
for  the  butcher. 

Among  the  other  sources  of  irritation  charged  with  causing  nympho- 
mania are  tumors  and  cancers  of  the  womb,  rigid  closure  of  the  neck  of 
the  womb  so  that  conception  can  not  occur  and  the  frequent  services 
by  the  male  stimulate  the  unsatisfied  appetite,  and  inflammation,  and 
a  purulent  discharge  from  the  womb  or  vagina. 

61386—08 10 


146  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

Treatment. — The  treatment  in  each  case  will  vary  with  the  cause 
and  is  most  satisfactory  when  that  cause  is  a  removable  one.  Over- 
feeding on  richly  nitrogenous  food  can  be  stopped,  exercise  in  the  open 
field  secured,  diseased  ovaries  may  be  removed  (see  "Castration,"  p. 
300),.  catarrhs  of  the  womb  and  passages  overcome  by  antiseptic 
astringent  injections  (see  "Leucorrhea"),  and  tumors  of  the  womb  may 
often  be  detached  and  extracted,  the  mouth  of  that  organ  having  been 
first  dilated  by  sponge  tents  or  otherwise.  The  rubber  dilator  (impreg- 
nator)  though  sometimes  helpful  in  the  mare  is  rarety  available  for 
the  cow,  owing  to  the  different  condition  of  the  mouth  of  the  womb. 

DIMINUTION   OR  LOSS   OF   VENEREAL   DESIRE   (ANAPHRODISIA). 

This  will  occur  in  either  sex  from  low  condition  and  ill  health. 
Long  standing  chronic  diseases  of  important  internal  organs,  leading 
to  emaciation  and  weakness,  or  a  prolonged  semistarvation  in  winter 
may  be  sufficient  cause.  It  is,  however,  much  more  common  as  the 
result  of  degeneration  or  extensive  and  destructive  disease  of  the 
secreting  organs  (testicles,  ovaries)  which  elaborate  the  male  and 
female  sexual  products,  respectively.  Such  diseases  are,  therefore,  a 
common  cause  of  sterility  in  both  sexes.  The  old  bull,  fat  and  lazy, 
becomes  sluggish  and  unreliable  in  serving,  and  finally  gets  to  be  use- 
less for  breeding  purposes.  This  is  nob  due  to  his  weight  and  clum- 
siness alone,  but  largely  to  the  fatty  degeneration  of  his  testicles  and 
their  excretory  ducts,  which  prevents  the  due  formation  and  matura- 
tion of  the  semen. 

If  he  has  been  kept  in  extra  high  condition  for  exhibition  in  the 
show  ring,  this  disqualification  comes  upon  him  sooner  and  becomes 
more  irremediable. 

Similarly  the  overfed,  inactive  cow,  and  above  all  the  show  cow, 
fails  to  come  in  heat  at  the  usual  intervals,  shows  little  disposition  to 
take  the  bull,  and  fails  to  conceive  when  served.  Her  trouble  is  the 
same  in  kind,  Damely,  fatty  degeneration  of  the  ovaries  and  of  their 
excretory  ducts  (Fallopian  tubes),  which  prevents  the  formation  or 
maturation  of  the  ovum  or,  when  it  has  formed,  hinders  its  descent 
into  the  womb.  Another  common  defect  in  such  old  fat  cows  is  a  rigid 
closure  of  the  mouth  of  the  womb,  which  prevents  conception,  even 
if  the  ovum  reaches  the  interior  of  that  organ  and  even  if  the  semen 
is  discharged  into  the  vagina. 

Preventive. — The  true  preventive  of  such  conditions  is  to  be  found 
in  a  sound  hygiene.  The  breeding  animal  should  be  of  adult  age, 
neither  overfed  nor  underfed,  but  well  fed  and  moderately  exercised; 
in  other  words,  the  most  vigorous  health  should  be  sought,  not  only 
that  a  strong  race  may  be  propagated,  but  that  the  whole  herd,  or 
nearly  so,  may  breed  with  certainty.  Fleming  gives  79  per  cent  as 
the  general  average  of  cows  that  are  found  to  breed  in  one  year. 
Here  more  than  a  fifth  of  the  progeny  is  sacrificed  and  -a  fifth  of  the 


DISEASES    OF    THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  147 

product  of  the  dairy.  With  careful  management  the  proportion  of 
breeders  should  approach  100  per  cent.  The  various  local  and  gen- 
eral obstacles  to  conception  should  be  carefully  investigated  and 
removed.  The  vigorous  health  which  comes  from  a  sufficiently  lib- 
eral diet  and  abundant  exercise  should  be  solicited,  and  that  compara- 
tive bloodlessness  and  weakness  which  advances  with  undue  fattening 
should  be  sedulously  avoided.  In  bull  or  cow  which  is  becoming 
unduly  fat  and  showing  indications  of  sexual  indifference,  the  treat- 
ment must  be  active.  Turning  out  on  a  short  pasture  where  it  must 
work  hard  for  a  living  will  often  suffice.  The  bull  which  can  not  be 
turned  out  to  pasture  may  sometimes  be  utilized  in  the  yoke  or  tread 
power,  or  he  may  be  kept  a  part  of  his  time  in  a  field  or  paddock 
chained  by  the  ring  in  his  nose  to  a  strong  wire  extending  from  one 
side  of  the  lot  to  the  other,  and  attached  securely  to  two  trees  or  posts. 
The  wire  should  be  higher  than  the  back  of  the  bull,  which  will  move 
from  end  to  end  at  frequent  intervals.  If  he  is  indisposed  to  take 
sufficient  exercise  in  this  way  he  may  be  safely  driven.  An  instance 
of  the  value  of  exercise  in  these  incipient  cases  of  fatty  degeneration 
is  often  quoted.  The  cow  Dodona,  condemned  as  barren  at  Earl 
Spencer's,  was  sold  cheap  to  Jonas  Webb,  who  had  her  driven  by  road 
a  distance  of  120  miles  to  his  farm  at  Wilbraham,  soon  after  which 
she  became  pregnant.  In  advanced  cases,  however,  in  which  the  fatty 
degeneration  is  complete,  recovery  is  impossible. 

In  case  of  rigid  closure  of  the  mouth  of  the  womb  the  only  resort  is 
dilatation.  This  is  far  more  difficult  and  uncertain  in  the  cow  than  in 
the  mare.  The  neck  of  the  womb  is  longer,  is  often  tortuous  in  its 
course,  and  its  walls  so  approximated  to  each  other  and  so  rigid  that 
it  may  be  all  but  impossible  to  follow  it,  and  there  is  always  danger 
of  perforating  its  walls  and  opening  into  the  cavity  of  the  abdomen, 
or  short  of  that  of  causing  inflammation  and  a  new  rigid  fibrous  for- 
mation which,  on  healing,  leaves  matters  worse  than  before.  The 
opening  must  be  carefully  made  with  the  finger,  and  when  that  has 
entered  the  womb  further  dilatation  may  be  secured  by  inserting  a 
sponge  tent  or  by  careful  stretching  with  a  mechanical  dilator.  (PL 
XX,  fig.  6.) 

STERILITY   FROM   OTHER  CAUSES. 

The  questions  as  to  whether  a  bull  is  a  sure  stock  getter  and  whether 
a  cow  is  a  breeder  are  so  important  that  it  would  be  wrong  to  pass 
over  other  prominent  causes  of  sterility.  Breeding  at  too  early  an  age 
is  a  common  source  of  increasing  weakness  of  constitution  which  has 
obtained  in  certain  breeds.  Jerseys  have  especially  been  made  the 
victims  of  this  mistake,  the  object  being  to  establish  the  highest  milk- 
ing powers  in  the  smallest  obtainable  body  which  will  demand  the 
least  material  and  outlay  for  its  constant  repair  of  waste.  With  suc- 
cess in  this  line  there  has  been  the  counterbalancing  disadvantage  of 


148  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

impaired  vigor,  with  too  often  lessened  fertility  as  well  as  increased 
predisposition  to  disease.  When  the  heifers  of  the  race  have  for  gen- 
eration after  generation  been  bred  under  a  year  old,  the  demand  for 
the  nourishment  of  the  fetus  is  too  great  a  drain  on  the  immature 
animal,  which  accordingly  remains  small  and  stunted.  As  it  fails  to 
develop  in  size,  so  every  organ  fails  to  be  nourished  to  perfection. 
Similarly  with  the  immature  bull  put  to  too  many  cows ;  he  fails  to 
develop  his  full  size,  vigor,  or  stamina,  and  transfers  his  acquired 
weakness  to  his  progeny.  An  increasing  number  of  barren  females 
and  an  increasing  proclivity  to  abortions  are  the  necessary  results  of 
both  courses.  When  this  early  breeding  has  occurred  accidentally  it 
is  well  to  dry  up  the  dam  just  after  calving,  and  to  avoid  having  her 
served  again  until  full  grown. 

Some  highly  fed  and  plethoric  females  seem  to  escape  conception  by 
the  very  intensity  of  the  generative  ardor.  The  frequent  passage  of 
urine,  accompanied  by  contractions  of  the  womb  and  vagina  and  a 
profuse  secretion  from  their  surfaces,  leads  to  the  expulsion  of  the 
semen  after  it  has  been  lodged  in  the  genital  passages.  This  may  be 
remedied  somewhat  by  bleeding  the  cow  shortly  before  putting  to  the 
bull,  so  as  to  diminish  the  richness  and  stimulating  quality  of  the 
blood ;  or  better  by  giving  1-|  pounds  of  Epsom  salts  a  day  or  two 
before  she  comes  in  heat,  and  subjecting  her  at  the  same  time  to  a 
spare  diet.  Should  the  excessive  ardor  of  the  cow  not  be  controlla- 
ble in  this  way,  she  may  be  shut  up  for  a  day  or  two,  until  the  heat  is 
passing  off,  when  under  the  lessened  excitement  the  semen  is  more 
likely  to  be  retained. 

The  various  diseases  of  the  ovaries,  their  tubes,  the  womb,  the  tes- 
ticles and  their  excretory  ducts,  as  referred  to  under  "Excess  of  gen- 
erative ardor,"  are  causes  of  barrenness.  In  this  connection  it  may 
be  named  that  the  discharges  consequent  on  calving  are  fatal  to  the 
vitality  of  semen  introduced  before  these  have  ceased  to  flow;  hence 
service  too  soon  after  calving,  or  that  of  a  cow  which  has  had  the 
womb  or  genital  passages  injured  so  as  to  keep  up  a  muco-purulent 
flow  until  the  animal  comes  in  heat,  is  liable  to  fail  of  conception. 
Any  such  discharge  should  be  first  arrested  by  repeated  injections  as 
for  leucorrhea,  after  which  the  male  may  be  admitted. 

Feeding  on  a  very  saccharine  diet,  which  greatly  favors  the  deposi- 
tion of  fat,  seems  to  have  an  even  more  direct  effect  in  preventing 
conception  during  such  regimen.  Among  other  causes  of  barrenness 
are  all  those  that  favor  abortion,  ergoted  grasses,  smutty  wheat  or 
corn,  laxative  or  diuretic  drinking  water,  and  any  improper  or  musty 
feed  that  causes  indigestions,  colics,  and  diseases  of  the  urinary 
organs,  notably  gravel;  also  savin,  rue,  cantharides,  and  all  other 
irritants  of  the  bowels  or  kidneys. 

Hermaphrodites  are  barren,  of  course,  as  their  sexual  organs  are 
not  distinctively  either  male  or  female.     The  heifer  born  as  a  twin 


DISEASES    OF   THE    GENERATIVE    OEGANS.  149 

with  a  bull  is  usually  hermaphrodite  and  barren.  But  the  animals 
of  either  sex  in  which  development  of  the  organs  is  arrested  before 
they  are  fully  matured  remain  as  in  the  male  or  female  prior  to 
puberty,  and  are  barren.  Bulls  with  both  testicles  retained  within 
the  abdomen  may  go  through  the  form  of  serving  a  cow,  but  the  serv- 
ice is  unfruitful;  the  spermatozoa  are  not  fully  elaborated.  So  I  have 
examined  a  heifer  with  a  properly  formed  but  very  small  womb  and 
an  extremely  narrow  vagina  and  vulva,  the  walls  of  which  were  very 
muscular,  that  could  never  be  made  to  conceive.  A  post-mortem 
examination  would  probably  have  disclosed  an  imperfectly  formed 
ovary  incapable  of  bringing  ova  to  maturity. 

A  bull  and  cow  that  have  been  too  closely  inbred  in  the  same  line  for 
generations  may  prove  sexually  incompatible  and  unable  to  generate 
together,  though  both  are  abundantly  prolific  when  coupled  with  ani- 
mals of  other  strains  of  blood. 

Finally  a  bull  may  prove  unable  to  get  stock,  not  from  any  lack  of 
sexual  development,  but  from  disease  of  other  organs  (back,  loins,  hind 
limbs),  which  renders  him  unable  to  mount  with  the  energy  requisite 
to  the  perfect  service. 

CONGESTION  AND   INFLAMMATION   OF   THE   TESTICLES    (ORCHITIS). 

This  usually  results  from  blows  or  other  direct  injuries,  but  may  be 
the  result  of  excessive  service  or  of  the  formation  of  some  new  growth 
(tumor)  in  the  gland  tissue.  The  bull  moves  stiffly,  with  straddling 
gait,  and  the  right  or  left  half  of  the  scrotum  in  which  the  affected 
testicle  lies  is  swollen,  red,  and  tender,  and  the  gland  is  drawn  up 
within  the  sac  and  dropped  down  again  at  frequent  intervals.  It  may 
be  treated  by  rest ;  by  1|  pounds  Epsom  salts  given  in  4  quarts  of  water ; 
by  a  restricted  diet  of  some  succulent  food;  by  continued  fomentations 
with  warm  water  by  means  of  sponges  or  rags  sustained  by  a  sling 
passed  around  the  loins  and  back  between  the  hind  legs.  The  pain 
may  be  allayed  by  smearing  with  a  solution  of  opium  or  of  extract  of 
belladonna.  Should  a  soft  point  appear,  indicating  the  formation  of 
matter,  it  may  be  opened  with  a  sharp  lancet  and  the  wound  treated 
daily  with  a  solution  of  a  teaspoonful  of  carbolic  acid  in  a  half  pint  of 
water.  Usually,  however,  when  the  inflammation  has  proceeded  to 
this  extent  the  gland  will  be  ruined  for  purposes  of  procreation  and 
must  be  cut  out.     (See  "Castration,"  p.  300). 

INFLAMMATION    OF   THE    SHEATH. 

While  this  may  occur  in  bulls  from  infection  during  copulation  and 
from  bruises,  blows,  and  other  mechanical  injuries,  the  condition  is 
more  common  in  the  ox  in  connection  with  the  comparative  inactivity  of 
the  parts.  The  sheath  has  a  very  small  external  opening,  the  mucous 
membrane  of  which  is  studded  with  sebaceous  glands  secreting  a  thick, 
unctuous  matter  of  a  strong,  heavy  odor.     Behind  this  orifice  is  a  dis- 


150  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

tinct  pouch,  in  which  this  unctuous  matter  is  liable  to  accumulate  when 
the  penis  is  habitually  drawn  back.  Moreover,  the  sheath  has  two  mus- 
cles (protractors)  which  lengthen  it  passing  into  it  from  the  region  of 
the  navel,  and  two  (retractors)  that  shorten  it  passing  into  it  from  the 
lower  surface  of  the  pelvic  bones  above.  (PI.  IX,  fig.  2.)  The  pro- 
tractors keep  the  sheath  stretched  so  that  it  habitually  covers  the 
penis,  while  the  retractors  shorten  it  up  in  the  act  of  service,  so  that 
the  penis  can  project  to  its  full  extent.  In  stud  bulls  the  frequent 
protrusion  of  the  erect  and  enlarged  penis  and  the  retraction  and 
dilatation  of  the  opening  of  the  sheath  serve  to  empty  the  pouch  and 
prevent  any  accumulation  of  sebaceous  matter  or  urine.  In  the  ox, 
on  the  other  hand,  the  undeveloped  and  inactive  penis  is  usually 
drawn  back  so  as  to  leave  the  anterior  preputial  pouch  empty,  so  that 
the  sebaceous  matter  has  space  to  accumulate  and  is  never  expelled  by . 
the  active  retraction  of  the  sheath  and  protrusion  of  the  erect  penis 
in  service.  Again,  the  ox  rarely  protrudes  the  tip  of  the  penis  in 
urination,  the  urine  is  discharged  into  the  preputial  pouch  and  lodges 
and  decomposes  there,  so  that  there  is  a  great  liability  to  the  precipi- 
tation of  its  earthy  salts  in  the  form  of  gravel.  The  decomposing 
ammoniacal  urine,  the  gritty  crystals  precipitated  from  it,  and  the 
fetid,  rancid,  sebaceous  matter  set  up  inflammation  in  the  delicate 
mucous  membrane  lining  the  passage.  The  membrane  is  thickened, 
reddened,  rendered  friable,  and  ultimately  ulcerated,  and  the  now 
narrowed  sheath  is  blocked  by  the  increasing  mass  of  sebaceous  and 
urinous  material  and  the  decomposing  mucus  and  pus.  The  penis 
can  no  longer  be  protruded,  the  urine  escapes  in  a  small  stream 
through  the  narrowing  sheath,  and  finally  the  outlet  is  completely 
blocked  and  the  urine  distends  the  back  part  of  the  sheath.  This 
will  fluctuate  on  being  handled,  and  soon  the  unhealthy  inflammation 
extends  on  each  side  of  it,  causing  a  thick,  doughy,  tender  swelling 
under  the  belly  and  between  the  thighs.  The  next  step  in  the  morbid 
course  is  overdistention  of  the  bladder,  with  the  occurrence  of  col- 
icky pains,  looking  at  the  flanks,  uneasy  movements  of  the  hind 
limbs,  raising  or  twisting  of  the  tail,  pulsatory  contractions  of  the 
urethra  under  the  anus,  and  finally  a  false  appearance  of  relief,  which 
is  caused  by  rupture  of  the  bladder.  Before  this  rupture  takes  place 
the  distended  bladder  may  press  on  the  rectum  and  obstruct  the  pas- 
sage of  the  bowel  dejections.  Two  mistakes  are  therefore  probable — 
first,  that  the  bowels  alone  are  to  be  relieved,  and,  second,  that  the 
trouble  is  obstruction  of  the  urethra  by  a  stone.  Hence  the  need  of 
examining  the  sheath  and  pushing  the  finger  into  its  opening  to  see 
that  there  is  no  obstruction  there,  in  all  cases  of  retention  of  urine,  over- 
distended  bladder,  or  blocked  rectum  in  the  ox.  The  disease  may  be 
acute  or  chronic — the  first  by  reason  of  acute  adhesive  inflammation 
blocking  the  outlet,  the  second  by  gradual  thickening  and  ulceration 
of  the  sheath  and  blocking  by  the  sebaceous  and  calculous  accretions. 


DISEASES    OF    THE    GENEEATIVE    ORGANS.  151 

Treatment. — The  treatment  of  this  affection  will  depend  on  the 
stage.  If  recent  and  no  instant  danger  of  rupture  of  the  bladder,  the 
narrow  opening  of  the  sheath  should  be  freely  cut  open  in  the  median 
line  below,  and  the  sac  emptied  out  with  a  finger  or  spoon,  after 
which  it  should  be  thoroughly  washed  with  tepid  water.  To  make 
the  cleansing  more  thorough  a  catheter  or  a  small  rubber  tube  may 
be  inserted  well  back  into  the  sheath,  and  water  may  be  forced 
through  it  from  a  syringe  or  a  funnel  inserted  into  the  other  end  of 
the  tube  and  considerably  elevated.  A  fountain  syringe,  which 
should  be  found  in  every  house,  answers  admirably.  The  sheath 
may  be  daily  washed  out  with  tepid  water,  with' a  suds  made  with 
Castile  soap,  or  with  a  weak  solution  of  sulphate  of  zinc  (one-half 
dram  to  a  quart  of  water).  If  these  attentions  are  impossible,  most 
cases,  after  cleansing,  will  do  well  if  merely  driven  through  clean 
water  up  to  the  belly  once  a  day. 

In  case  the  disease  has  progressed  to  absolute  obstruction,  with  the 
bladder  ready  to  rupture  any  moment,  no  time  must  be  lost  in  open- 
ing into  the  urethra  with  a  sharp  knife  over  the  bony  arch  under  the 
anus,  where  the  pulsations  are  seen  in  urinating.  This  incision  is 
best  made  in  the  median  line  from  above  downward,  but  in  the 
absence  of  a  skillful  operator  a  transverse  incision  with  a  sharp  knife 
over  the  bone  in  the  median  line  until  the  urine  flows  with  a  gush  is 
better  than  to  let  the  patient  die.  Considerable  blood  will  be  lost  and 
the  wound  will  heal  tardily,  but  the  ox  will  be  preserved.  Then  the 
slitting  and  cleansing  of  the  sheath  can  be  done  at  leisure,  as  described 
above.     If  the  bladder  is  ruptured,  the  case  is  hopeless. 

INFLAMMATION   OF  THE   SHEATH   AND   PENIS   FROM  BRUISING. 

This  also  is  an  affection  of  work  oxen,  caused  by  the  pressure  and 
friction  of  the  sling  when  the  animals  are  held  in  the  stocks  for  shoe- 
ing. This  crushing  of  both  sheath  and  penis  for  half  an  hour  or  more 
leads  to  the  development,  some  hours  later,  of  a  hard,  hot,  and  pain- 
ful swelling,  extending  from  the  scrotum  as  far  as  the  opening  of  the 
sheath.  Fever  sets  in,  with  dry  muzzle,  red  eyes,  hard,  full,  rapid 
pulse,  accelerated  breathing,  and  elevated  temperature.  The  ox 
stands  obstinately  with  his  hind  legs  drawn  apart  and  urine  falling 
drop  by  drop  from  the  sheath.  Appetite  and  rumination  are  sus- 
pended. In  twenty-four  hours  there  may  be  indications  of  advancing 
gangrene  (mortification),  the  swelling  becomes  cold,  soft,  and  doughy; 
it  may  even  crack  slightly  from  the  presence  of  gas ;  a  reddish  brown 
fetid  liquid  oozes  from  the  swelling,  especially  around  the  edges,  and 
if  the  animal  survives  it  is  only  with  a  great  loss  of  substance  of  the 
sheath  and  penis. 

Prevention. — The  prevention  of  such  an  injury  is  easy.  It  is  only 
necessary  to  see  that  the  slings  shall  not  press  upon  the  posterior 
part  of  the  abdomen.     They  must  be  keep  in  front  of  the  sheath. 


152  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

Treatment. — Treatment,  to  be  effective,  must  be  prompt  and  judi- 
cious. Put  a  strap  around  the  patient  with  soft  pads  in  contact  with 
the  affected  parts,  constantly  soaked  in  cold  water  for  at  least  twenty- 
four  hours.  A  pound  or  two  of  Epsom  salts  in  4  quarts  of  hot  water 
should  also  be  given.  The  second  day  the  parts  may  be  washed  with 
1  quart  of  witch-hazel  (extract),  2  drams  sugar  of  lead,  and  1  ounce 
laudanum,  or  the  cold  water  irrigations  may  be  continued  if  the  active 
inflammation  persists.  In  case  the  swelling  continues  hard  and  resist- 
ant, it  may  be  pricked  at  the  most  prominent  points  to  the  depth  of 
one-third  of  an  inch  with  a  lancet  first  dipped  in  dilute  carbolic  acid, 
and  the  whole  surface  should  be  washed  frequently  with  chlorin 
water  or  other  antiseptic. 

When  softening  occurs  in  the  center  of  a  hard  mass  and  fluctuation 
can  be  felt  between  two  fingers  pressed  on  different  parts  of  such  soft- 
ening, it  should  be  freely  opened  to  let  out  the  putrid  pus,  and  the 
cavity  should  be  syringed  often  with  chlorin  water. 

In  bad  cases  extensive  sloughs  of  dead  skin,  of  the  whole  wall  of  the 
sheath,  and  even  of  the  penis,  may  take  place,  which  will  require  care- 
ful antiseptic  treatment.  The  soaking  of  the  urine  into  the  inflamed 
and  softened  tissue  and  the  setting  up  of  putrefactive  action  not  only 
endanger  great  destruction  of  the  tissues  from  putrid  inflammation, 
but  even  threaten  life  itself  from  a  general  blood  poisoning  (septice- 
mia). Every  case  should  have  skillful  treatment  to  meet  its  various 
phases,  but  in  the  severe  ones  this  is  most  urgently  demanded. 

INFLAMMATION   OF   THE   URETHRA  ( GONORRHEA). 

Like  other  males,  the  bull  sometimes  suffers  from  inflammation  of 
the  canal  which  conveys  the  urine  through  the  penis,  and  forms  a  con- 
sequent whitish  muco-purulent  discharge.  It  may  have  originated  in 
gravel,  the  excitement  of  too  frequent  service,  infection  from  a  cow 
with  leucorrhea,  or  from  extension  of  inflammation  from  the  sheath. 
Besides  the  oozing  of  the  whitish  liquid  from  the  end  of  the  penis  and 
sheath,  there  is  tenderness  and  pain  when  handled,  and  while  there  is 
no  actual  arrest  of  the  urine,  its  flow  is  subject  to  frequent  voluntary 
checks,  as  the  scalding  liquid  irritates  the  tender  surface. 

Treatment. — If  recognized  before  the  discharge  sets  in,  a  dose  of  Im- 
pounds of  Epsom  salts  and  local  warm  fomentations  would  be  appro- 
priate. After  the  onset  of  the  whitish  discharge  a  daily  injection 
into  the  penis  of  a  solution  of  20  grains  of  permanganate  of  potash  in 
a  pint  of  water  will  be  beneficial. 

WARTS  AND   PAPILLARY   GROWTHS   ON  THE   PENIS. 

These  are  not  frequent  in  bull  or  ox.  They  may  interfere  with  the 
protrusion  of  the  organ  from  its  sheath  or  with  service,  and  always 
give  rise  to  a  bad  smelling  discharge. 


DISEASES    OF   THE    GENERATIVE   ORGANS.  153 

Treatment. — They  may  be  twisted  off  with  the  thumb  and  fore- 
finger or  cut  off  with  a  pair  of  scissors,  and  the  seat  burned  with  a 
pencil  of  lunar  caustic.  To  get  hold  of  the  penis  in  the  bull,  bring  him 
up  to  a  cow.  In  the  ox  it  will  be  necessary  to  push  it  out  by  manip- 
ulation through  the  sheath.  In  difficult  cases  the  narrow  opening  of 
the  sheath  may  be  slit  open. 

WOUNDS   OP  THE  PENIS. 

The  most  common  wounds  are  those  sustained  by  blows  of  horns, 
sticks,  etc.  The  blood  vessels  and  sacs  are  ruptured  to  a  greater  or 
less  extent  and  considerable  swellings  filled  with  coagulated  blood 
and  inflammatory  products  occur,  leading  to  distortion  of  the  organ, 
and  it  may  be  to  the  impossibility  of  protruding  it. 

Treatment. — A  lotion  of  a  dram  of  alum  in  a  quart  of  water  may  be 
applied  (injected  into  the  sheath,  if  necessary),  and  a  large  sponge 
constantly  irrigated  by  a  stream  of  cold  water  may  be  kept  applied  by 
means  of  a  surcingle  to  the  outer  side  of  the  sheath.  Incisions  are 
rarely  applicable  to  an  organ  of  this  kind,  but  in  case  of  the  existence 
of  an  extensive  clot  which  is  unlikely  to  be  absorbed  the  lancet  may 
be  resorted  to.  If  the  injury  leads  to  paral\rsis  of  the  penis  and  hang- 
ing out  of  its  sheath,  it  should  be  supported  in  a  sling  and  astringents 
used  freely  until  inflammation  subsides.  Then  the  restoration  of 
power  may  be  sought  by  a  blister  between  the  thighs,  by  the  use  of 
electricity,  or  by  the  careful  use  of  nerve  stimulants,  such  as  strychnia 
(2  grains  daily). 

ULCERS   ON   THE   PENIS. 

Sores  on  the  penis  of  the  bull  may  result  from  gravel  or  sebaceous 
masses  in  the  sheath  or  from  having  served  a  cow  having  leueorrhea. 

Treatment. — These  may  be  treated  by  frequent  injections  into  the 
sheath  of  a  lotion  made  with  1  dram  sugar  of  lead,  60  drops  carbolic 
acid,  and  1  quart  water. 

POLYPUS  OF  THE  VAGINA  OR  UTERUS. 

A  polypus  is  a  tumor  growing  from  the  mucous  membrane,  and 
often  connected  to  it  by  a  narrow  neck.  A  definite  cause  can  not 
always  be  assigned.  If  growing  in  the  vagina,  a  polypus  may  project 
as  a  reddish,  rounded  tumor  from  the  vulva,  especially  during  the 
act  of  passing  water.  It  can  be  distinguished  from  descent  of  the 
womb  by  the  absence  of  the  orifice  of  that  cavity,  which  can  be  felt 
by  the  oiled  hand  beyond  the  tumor  in  the  depth  of  the  vagina.  From 
a  vaginal  hernia  caused  by  the  protrusion  of  some  abdominal  organ 
enveloped  by  the  relaxed  wall  of  the  vagina  it  may  be  distinguished 
by  its  persistence,  its  firm  substance,  and  the  impossibility  of  return- 
ing it  into  the  abdomen  by  pressure.     A  hernia  containing  a  portion 


154  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

of  bowel  gurgles  when  handled  and  can  be  completely  effaced  by 
pressure,  the  gut  passing  back  into  the  abdomen. 

A  polypus  in  the  womb  is  less  easily  recognized.  At  the  time  of 
calving  it  may  be  felt  through  the  open  mouth  of  the  womb  and 
recognized  by  the  educated  touch  (it  must  be  carefully  distinguished 
from  the  mushroom-formed  cotyledons  (PL  XIII,  fig.  2),  to  which  in 
ruminants  the  fetal  membranes  are  attached).  At  other  times,  unless 
the  womb  is  opened  in  the  effort  to  expel  it,  the  polypus  can  only  be 
detected  by  examining  the  womb  with  the  oiled  hand  introduced 
through  the  rectum. 

Polypi  may  cause  a  muco-purulent  discharge  or  they  may  only  be 
suspected  when  they  prove  an  obstacle  to  parturition.  The  best  way 
to  remove  them  is  to  put  the  chain  of  an  ecraseur  around  the  neck,  or 
pedicle,  of  the  tumor  and  tear  it  through;  or  the  narrow  neck  may  be 
torn  through  by  the  emasculator,  or  in  an  emergency  it  may  be  twisted 
through  by  rotating  the  tumor  on  its  own  axis.  The  removal  of  the 
tumor  will  allow  calving  to  proceed ;  after  which  the  sore  maybe  treated 
by  a  daily  injection  of  one-half  dram  sulphate  of  zinc,  1  dram  car- 
bolic acid,  and  1  quart  milk- warm  water. 

SIGNS   OF  PREGNANCY. 

If  a  cow  remains  for  three  or  four  weeks  after  service  without  show- 
ing signs  of  heat  (bulling),  she  is  probably  pregnant.  There  are  very 
exceptional  cases  in  which  the  well-fed  cow  will  accept  the  bull  weeks 
or  months  after  actual  conception,  and  others  equally  exceptional  in 
which  the  well-thriven  but  unimpregnated  female  will  refuse  the  male 
persistently,  but  these  in  no  way  invalidate  the  general  rule. 

The  bull,  no  matter  how  vigorous  or  how  ardent  his  sexual  instinct, 
can  not  be  made  to  pay  any  attention  to  a  cow  which  is  not  in  heat; 
hence  indications  of  pregnancy  can  be  had  from  both  the  male  and 
female  side.  When  she  has  conceived,  the  cow  usually  becomes  more 
quiet  and  docile,  and  lays  on  flesh  and  fat  more  rapidly,  especially 
during  the  first  four  months  of  gestation.  The  stimulus  to  digestion 
and  nutrition  created  by  the  demands  of  the  growing  fetus,  added  to 
the  quieter  and  more  uneventful  life,  contributes  to  this  result.  Some 
feeders  avail  of  this  disposition  to  prepare  heifers  and  cows  speedily 
for  the  butcher. 

The  enlargement  of  the  abdomen,  and  its  dropping  so  that  it  bulges 
below  and  to  each  side,  while  it  falls  in  at  the  flank,  between  the  outer 
angle  of  the  hip  bone  and  the  last  rib,  are  significant  features  which, 
though  they  may  be  caused  by  abdominal  tumor  or  dropsy,  are 
usually  marks  of  pregnancy.  From  the  same  increasing  weight  of 
the  abdomen  the  spine  in  the  region  of  the  loins  sinks  so  that  the 
bones  of  the  croup  seem  to  rise,  especially  back  toward  the  root  of  the 
tail.  In  the  early  stages  of  pregnancy  the  udder  develops  slowly,  and 
toward  its  completion  quite  rapidly.     For  a  long  time  there  is  merely 


DISEASES    OF    THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  155 

a  sense  of  greater  fullness  when  handled ;  the  wrinkles  in  the  skin 
become  shallower  and  are  effaced,  and  the  teats  are  materially  enlarged. 
Beginning  a  few  weeks  after  conception,  this  tends  to  a  steady  develop- 
ment, though  slight  alternations  in  the  sense  of  successive  growth  and 
shrinkage  are  not  uncommon.  In  milking  cows  this  does  not  hold,  as 
the  milk  usually  tends  to  a  steady  diminution  and  the  udder  shrinks 
slowly  until  near  the  completion  of  the  period,  when  it  undergoes  its 
sudden  remarkable  development,  and  yields  at  first  a  serous  liquid 
and  then  the  yellow  colostrum,  which  coagulates  when  heated.  As 
pregnancy  advances  the  mucous  membrane  lining  the  vulva  becomes 
swollen  and  of  a  darker  bluish  red  hue,  and  the  mucous  secretion 
increases,  becoming  very  abundant  just  before  calving.  When  the 
feeding  has  not  been  altered  or  restricted,  a  steady  diminution  of  the 
salts  of  lime  excreted  in  the  urine  is  an  attendant  on  pregnancy,  the 
lime  being  demanded  for  the  growing  body  of  the  fetus. 

After  the  fifth  month  the  movements  of  the  calf  may  often  be 
observed  in  the  right  flank,  nearly  in  front  of  the  stifle,  when  the  cow 
is  drinking  cold  water.  The  sensation  of  cold  on  the  side  of  the  first 
stomach,  which  lies  to  the  left  and  directly  below  the  womb  (PI.  I), 
stimulates  the  calf  to  active  movements,  which  are  detected  on  the 
sudden  jerking  outward  of  the  abdominal  wall  as  if  from  blows  deliv- 
ered from  within.  In  a  loose  pendent  abdomen  in  the  latter  months 
of  gestation  the  skin  may  often  be  seen  pushed  out  at  a  sharp  angle, 
irrespective  of  the  period  of  drinking. 

Another  mode  of  examination  through  the  flank  is  by  touch.  The 
palni  of  the  hand  is  pressed  strongly  inward,  about  8  inches  in  front  of 
the  stifle  and  a  little  below,  several  times  in  succession,  and  is  then 
brought  to  rest  with  the  pressure  maintained.  Presently  there  are  felt 
distinct  and  characteristic  movements  of  the  fetus,  which  has  been 
disturbed  and  roused  to  action.  Another  mode  is  to  press  the  closed 
fist  strongly  inward  in  the  same  situation  and  hold  it  so,  forming  a 
deep  indentation  in  the  abdominal  wall.  Presently  the  knuckles  are 
felt  to  be  struck  by  a  solid  body,  which  is  no  other  than  the  fetus  that 
had  been  displaced  to  the  left  by  the  push  of  the  hand,  and  now  floats 
back  in  its  liquid  covering  (amniotic  fluid;  see  PL  XII)  downward 
and  to  the  right. 

Of  all  the  modes  of  examination  by  touch,  that  done  through  the 
rectum  gives  the  earliest  satisfactory  indications.  The  hand  and  arm 
well  oiled  are  introduced,  and  the  excrement  having  been  removed  if 
necessary,  the  palm  of  the  hand  is  turned  downward  and  the  floor  of 
the  pelvis  carefully  examined.  There  will  be  felt  in  the  median  line 
the  pear-shaped  outline  of  the  bladder,,  more  or  less  full,  rounded  or 
tense,  according  to  the  quantity  of  urine  it  contains.  Between  this 
and  the  hand  will  be  felt  a  soft,  somewhat  rounded  tubular  body, 
which  divides  in  front  into  two  smaller  tubes  or  branches,  extending  to 
the  right  and  left  into  the  abdomen.     This  is  the  womb,  which  in  its 


156  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

virgin,  or  unirapregnated,  condition  is  of  nearly  uniform  size  from 
before  backward,  the  main  part  or  body  being  from  1£  to  2  inches 
across,  and  the  two  anterior  branches  or  horns  being  individually  little 
over  an  inch  wide.  Immediately  after  conception  the  body  and  one 
of  the  horns  begin  to  enlarge,  the  vacant  horn  remaining  dispropor- 
tionately small,  and  the  enlargement  will  be  most  marked  at  one  point, 
where  a  solid  rounded  mass  indicates  the  presence  of  the  growing 
embryo.  In  case  of  twins,  both  horns  are  enlarged.  At  a  more 
advanced  stage,  when  the  embryo  begins  to  assume  the  form  of  the 
future  animal,  the  rounded  form  gives  place  to  a  more  or  less  irregu- 
lar nodular  mass,  while  later  still  the  head,  limbs,  and  body  of  the 
fetus  may  be  distinctly  made  out.  The  chief  source  of  fallacy  is  found 
in  the  very  pendent  abdomen  of  certain  cows,  into  which  in  advanced 
gestation  the  fetus  has  dropped  so  low  that  it  can  not  be  felt  by 
the  hand  in  the  rectum.  The  absence  of  the  distinct  outline  of  the 
vacant  womb,  however,  and  the  clear  indications  obtained  on  external 
examination  through  the  right  flank  will  serve  to  prevent  any  mis- 
take. The  fetus  may  still  be  felt  through  the  rectum  if  the  abdomen 
is  raised  by  a  sheet  passed  from  side  to  side  beneath  it. 

Still  another  sign  is  the  beating  of  the  fetal  heart,  which  may  be 
heard  in  the  latter  half  of  pregnancy  when  the  ear  is  pressed  on  the 
flank  in  front  of  the  right  stifle,  or  from  that  downward  to  the  udder. 
The  beats,  which  are  best  heard  in  the  absence  of  rumbling,  are  about 
120  per  minute,  and  easily  distinguished  from  any  bowel  sounds  by 
their  perfect  regularity. 

DURATION   OF  PREGNANCY. 

From  extended  statistics  it  is  found  that  the  average  duration  of 
pregnancy  in  the  cow  is  two  hundred  and  eighty-five  days.  A  calf 
born  at  the  two  hundred  and  fortieth  day  may  live,  and  a  case  is 
reported  by  Dietrichs  of  a  calf  born  on  the  three  hundred  and  thirty- 
fifth  day,  and  another  by  the  American  Journal  of  Medical  Science 
as  born  on  the  three  hundred  and  thirty-sixth  day.  It  is  the  general 
observation  that  in  the  majority  of  prolonged  pregnancies  the  offspring 
is  male.  Lord  Spencer  found  a  preponderance  of  males  between  the 
two  hundred  and  ninetieth  and  the  three  hundredth  days,  but  strangely 
enough  all  born  after  the  three  hundredth  day  under  his  observation 
were  females.  It  might  be  reasonably  inferred  that  while  the  pre- 
vailing tendency  is  to  carry  the  males  overtime,  yet  that  the  smaller 
and  comparatively  much  less  developed  female  sometimes  fails  to 
stimulate  the  womb  to  contraction  until  very  far  beyond  the  regular 
date. 

HYGIENE    OF   THE    PREGNANT   COW. 

Among  domestic  animals  considerations  of  hygiene  must  be  made 
subservient  to  profit,  and  therefore  the  first  consideration  is  not  to 


DISEASES    OF    THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  157 

secure  the  most  robust  health,  but  such  a  measure  of  vigor  and  stamina 
as  is  compatible  with  the  most  profitable  utilization  of  the  animal. 
The  breeding  cow  must  carry  a  calf  every  year,  and  this  notwith- 
standing that  she  is  at  the  same  time  suckling  another  large  growing 
calf.  The  dairy  cow  must  breed  every  year,  and  at  the  same  time 
must  furnish  a  generous  flow  of  milk  from  nine  to  eleven  months 
yearly.  If  her  health  is  lowered  thereby  or  her  life  shortened,  the 
question  of  profit  must  still  hold  sway,  and  she  must  yield  her  place 
to  another  when  disqualified.  There  are  exceptions,  of  course,  but 
this  rule  generally  holds. 

There  are  certain  points,  however,  in  which  the  interests  of  hygiene 
may  be  considered.  The  pregnant  cow  should  have  exercise,  and  as 
regards  both  exercise  and  food,  nothing  is  better  than  a  run  on  a 
smooth  pasture.  She  should  be  withheld  from  all  violent  excitement, 
hunting  with  dogs,  riding  or  being  ridden  by  cows  in  heat,  driving  in 
herd  rapidly  through  narrow  gateways,  causing  to  jump  ditches  or 
fences,  subjecting  to  blows  with  the  horns  of  pugnacious  cattle,  driv- 
ing on  icy  or  otherwise  slippery  ground,  carrying  in  railroad  cars, 
kicking  by  vicious  attendants,  and  fastening  or  throwing  down  for 
operations.  The  diet  should  be  good,  not  of  a  kind  to  fatten,  but 
with  a  generous  amount  of  nitrogenous  constituents  which  will  favor 
at  once  the  yield  of  milk  and  the  nourishment  of  the  fetus.  Aliments 
rich  in  lime  and  phosphates,  like  wheat  bran,  middlings,  etc.,  can  be 
used  to  advantage,  as  there  is  a  constant  drain  of  eartlry  salts  for  the 
building  of  the  body  of  the  calf,  and  thereby  the  danger  of  undue 
concentration  of  the  urine  is  lessened. 

Hard,  innutritious,  and  indigestible  aliments,  musty  grain  or  hay, 
partially  ripened  rye  grass,  millet,  Hungarian  grass,  vetches,  peas,  or 
maize  are  objectionable,  as  they  are  liable  to  cause  indigestion  or 
even  paralysis;  and  corn  or  hay  affected  by  smut  or  ergot,  or  that  has 
been  spoiled  by  wet,  overripened,  and  rendered  fibrous  and  innutri- 
tious, are  equally  objectionable.  The  food  should  be  in  the  main 
laxative,  as  costiveness  and  straining  are  liable  to  cause  abortion. 
Roots  and  green  food  that  have  been  frosted  are  objectionable,  as 
being  liable  to  cause  indigestion,  though  in  their  fresh  condition  most 
wholesome  and  desirable.  Ice-cold  water  should  be  avoided,  as  cal- 
culated to  check  the  flow  of  milk,  to  derange  digestion,  and  to  cause 
abortion.     A  good  temperature  for  the  drink  of  the  dairy  cow  is  55°  F. 

In  the  case  of  plethoric  and  heavy  milking  cows  of  mature  age  and 
in  the  prime  of  life,  the  hitherto  liberal  diet  must  be  changed  at  the 
last  week  for  the  scantiest  possible  fare,  and  the  bowels  must  be  kept 
open  by  laxatives,  if  need  be,  if  the  owner  would  avoid  milk  fever. 
The  pregnant  cow  should  be  kept  away  from  the  sight  and  odor  of 
dead  carcasses,  from  the  smell  of  decomposing  animal  matter,  and 
from  stagnant  and  corrupting  water.  Her  stall  should  not  incline 
downward  from  shoulder  to  croup,  lest  the  pressure  of  the  abdominal 


158  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

organs  should  produce  protrusion  or  abortion.  She  should  be  kept 
aloof  from  all  causes  of  acute  diseases,  and  all  existing  diseases  should 
be  remedied  speedily  and  with  as  little  excitement  of  the  abdominal 
organs  as  possible.  Strong  purgatives  and  diuretics  are  to  be  espe- 
cially avoided,  unless  it  be  in  the  very  last  days  of  gestation  in  very 
plethoric  cows. 

Finally,  in  the  case  of  pure  breeds,  close  association  with  animals 
of  other  breeds  or  crosses,  or  with  animals  of  other  colors,  forms,  or 
with  defects,  is  to  be  carefully  guarded  against.  The  effects  shown 
in  the  progeny  may  be  exceptional,  yet  they  are  none  the  less  sources 
of  preventable  loss. 

PROTRUSION   OF  THE   VAGINA  (PROLAPSUS   VAGINiE). 

This  is  common  during  pregnancy  from  chronic  relaxation  of  the 
vaginal  walls  and  from  lying  in  stalls  that  are  lower  behind  than  in 
front.  The  protrusion  is  of  a  rounded  form  and  smooth,  and  if  it 
embraces  both  sides  of  the  canal  it  is  double,  with  a  passage  between. 
It  may  sometimes  be  remedied  by  raising  the  hind  part  of  the  stall 
higher  than  the  front  part.  This  failing,  a  truss  may  be  applied  as  for 
eversion  of  the  womb,  and  worn  until  the  period  of  calving  approaches. 
(Pis.  XXII,  XXIII  ) 

HERNIA   (BREACH)    OF  THE   UTERUS. 

This  occurs  usually  in  advanced  pregnancy  from  a  gradual  relaxa- 
tion and  distention  of  the  lower  wall  of  the  abdomen  in  the  region  of 
the  udder,  so  that  the  latter  is  displaced  downward,  and  in  the  sac 
above  and  in  front  of  it  may  be  felt  the  form  and  movements  of  the 
fetus.  In  other  cases  the  womb  escapes  through  a  great  laceration  of 
the  abdominal  muscles  to  one  side  of  the  udder,  and  the  hernial  mass 
extends  down  to  one  side  of  that  organ.  However  unsightly,  this 
often  allows  the  animal  to  complete  its  pregnancy  naturally,  and  a 
broad  supporting  bandage  placed  around  the  abdomen  is  about  all 
that  can  be  recommended.     After  calving  it  is  best  to  fatten  the  cow. 

CRAMPS   OF   THE    HIND   LIMBS. 

The  compression  by  the  womb  and  fetus  of  the  nerves  passing 
through  the  pelvis  sometimes  causes  cramp  and  inability  to  move  the 
limb,  but  it  disappears  under  friction  and  motion  and  is  never  seen 
after  calving. 

DROPSY   OF  THE   HIND   LIMBS   AND   BETWEEN  THE   THIGHS. 

In  the  latter  months  of  pregnancy  the  hind  legs  may  swell  beneath 
the  hocks,  or  a  soft  swelling  which  pits  on  pressure  with  the  finger 
appears  from  the  vulva  down  between  the  thighs  to  the  udder  and  in 
front.  It  is  mainly  due  to  the  pressure  of  the  enlarged  womb  on  the 
blood  vessels,  is  not  dangerous,  and  disappears  after  calving. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  GENERATIVE  ORGANS.         159 

DROPSY  OF  THE  MEMBRANES  OF  THE  FETUS  (DROPSY  OF  THE 

WOMB). 

The  uniinpregnated  womb  may  be  filled  with  a  dropsical  fluid,  but 
the  pregnant  womb  is  more  liable  to  become  overdisteuded  by  an  excess 
of  fluid  in  the  inner  water  bag  in  which  the  fetus  floats.  (PI.  XII.) 
From  an  unhealthy  state  of  this  membrane  or  of  the  blood  of  the  fetus 
(watery  blood)  this  liquid  may  go  on  accumulating  until  the  cow  seems 
almost  as  broad  as  she  is  long.  If  the  trouble  has  not  originated  in  the 
ill  health  of  the  cow,  the  result  is  still  to  draw  on  her  system,  overtax  her 
strength,  and  derange  her  digestion,  so  that  the  result  may  prove  fatal 
to  both  mother  and  offspring.  On  the  other  hand,  I  have  known 
extreme  cases  come  to  the  natural  term  without  help  and  produce  a 
living  calf,  after  which  the  dam  did  well.  The  natural  resort  is  to 
draw  off  a  portion  of  the  fluid  through  a  hollow  needle  passed  through 
the  neck  of  the  womb  or  through  its  tense  wall  adjacent.  This  may 
be  repeated  several  times,  as  demanded,  to  relieve  the  cow  from  the 
injurious  distention. 

PARALYSIS   OF  THE   HIND   PARTS. 

In  ill-fed,  weak,  unthrifty  cows  palsy  of  the  hind  limbs  and  tail  may 
appear  in  the  last  weeks  of  pregnancy.  The  anus  and  rectum  may 
participate  in  the  palsy  so  far  as  to  prevent  defecation,  and  the  rectum 
is  more  or  less  completely  impacted.  Exposure  to  wet  and  cold  are 
often  accessory  causes,  though  the  low  condition,  general  weakness, 
and  the  pressure  on  the  nerves  going  to  the  hind  limbs  are  not  to  be 
forgotten.  Something  may  be  done  for  these  cases  by  a  warm,  dry  bed, 
an  abundant  diet  fed  warm,  frictions  with  straw  wisps  or  with  a  liniment 
of  equal  parts  of  oil  of  turpentine  and  sweet  oil  on  the  loins,  croup,  and 
limbs,  by  the  daily  use  of  ginger  and  gentian,  by  the  cautious  adminis- 
tration of  strychnia  (2  grains  twice  daily),  and  by  sending  a  current  of 
electricity  daily  from  the  loins  through  the  various  groups  of  muscles 
in  the  hind  limbs.  The  case  becomes  increasingly  hopeful  after  calv- 
ing, though  some  days  may  still  elapse  before  the  animal  can  support 
herself  upon  her  limbs. 

EXTRA-UTERINE  GESTATION  (FETUS  DEVELOPING  OUTSIDE  THE  WOMB). 

These  curious  cases  are  rare  and  are  usually  divided  into  three  types : 
(1)  That  in  which  the  fetus  is  formed  in  or  on  the  ovary  (ovarian  gesta- 
tion); (2)  that  in  which  it  is  lodged  in  the  Fallopian  tube,  or  canal 
between  the  ovary  and  womb  (tubal  gestation) ;  and  (3)  that  in  which 
it  is  lodged  in  the  abdominal  cavity  and  attached  to  one  or  more  of  its 
contents  from  which  it  draws  its  nourishment  (abdominal  gestation). 
Undoubted  cases  of  the  first  and  last  varieties  are  recorded  as  occurring 
in  the  cow.  The  explanation  of  such  cases  is  to  be  found  in  the  fact 
that  the  actively  moving  sperm  cells  (spermatozoa)  thrown  into  the 


160  DISEASES    OF   CATTLE. 

womb  have  made  their  way  through  the  Fallopian  tubes  to  the  ovary. 
If  they  met  and  impregnated  an  ovum  in  the  tube,  and  if  the  conse- 
quent growth  of  that  ovum  prevented  its  descent  and  caused  its  impris- 
onment within  the  tube,  it  developed  there,  getting  attached  to  and 
drawing  nourishment  from  the  mucous  walls.  Such  product  has  its 
development  arrested  by  compression  by  the  undilatable  tube,  or,  burst- 
ing through  the  walls  of  the  tube,  it  escapes  into  the  abdomen  and 
perishes.  If,  on  the  contrary,  the  spermatozoa  only  meet  and  impreg- 
nate the  ovum  on  or  in  the  ovary,  the  development  may  take  place  in 
the  substance  of  the  ovary  from  which  the  fetus  draws  its  nourish- 
ment, or  the  impregnated  ovum  escaping  between  the  ovary  and  the 
open  end  of  the  tube  falls  into  the  abdominal  cavity  and  becomes 
adherent  to  and  draws  nourishment  from  some  of  the  abdominal 
organs  (womb,  bowel,  liver,  stomach,  etc.). 

Symptoms. — The  symptoms  are  those  of  pregnancy,  which  may  be 
suddenly  complicated  by  inflammation  (peritonitis),  owing  to  rupture 
of  the  sac  containing  the  fetus;  or  at  full  term  signs  of  calving 
appear,  but  no  progress  is  made ;  an  examination  with  the  oiled  hand 
in  the  vagina  or  rectum  finds  the  womb  empty  and  its  mouth  closed. 
Further  examination  will  disclose  the  fetal  sac  attached  in  some  part 
of  the  abdominal  cavity,  and  containing  the  more  or  less  perfectly 
developed  body  of  a  calf.  In  the  most  hopeful  cases  the  fetus  per- 
ishes at  an  early  stage  of  gestation,  becomes  inclosed  in  a  fibrous  sac, 
and  is  slowly  absorbed,  its  soft  parts  becoming  liquefied  and  removed 
and  the  bones  remaining  encysted.  In  some  cases  the  bones  have 
finally  sloughed  into  the  rectum  or  through  an  artificial  opening  in 
the  side  of  the  belly. 

Treatment. — -Little  can  be  done  in  such  cases  except  to  quiet  pain 
and  excitement  by  anodynes  (opium,  chloral,  etc. )  and  leave  the  rest 
to  nature.  A  fistula  discharging  bones  majr  be  dilated  and  the  bones 
extracted,  the  sac  being  then  washed  out  with  a  solution  of  10  grains 
bichloride  of  mercury  in  a  quart  of  water.  In  certain  cases  with  a 
live  calf  a  skillful  operator  might  be  justified  in  cutting  into  the  abdo- 
men and  extracting  the  calf  with  its  membranes,  using  the  lotion  just 
named  as  an  antiseptic. 

PROLONGED  RETENTION  OP  THE  FETUS. 

Even  when  the  fetus  has  developed  within  the  womb  it  may  fail  to 
be  delivered  at  the  proper  time;  labor  pains  have  quickly  subsided 
and  the  cow  resumed  her  usual  health.  In  such  cases  the  calf  dies, 
and  its  soft  parts  are  gradually  liquefied  and  absorbed,  while  its  bones 
remain  for  years  in  the  womb  inclosed  in  the  remains  of  the  fetal 
membranes.  These  may  be  expelled  at  any  time  through  the  natural 
channels,  or  they  may  remain  indefinitely  in  the  womb,  not  interfer- 
ing with  the  general  health,  but  preventing  conception. 

If  the  true  condition  of  things  is  recognized  at  the  time  of  the  sub- 


DISEASES    OF   THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  161 

sidence  of  the  labor  pains,  the  mouth  of  the  womb  may  be  dilated  by 
the  fingers,  by  the  insertion  of  sponge  tents,  or  by  a  mechanical 
dilator  (PI.  XX,  fig.  6)  the  fetal  membranes  may  be  ruptured  and  the 
calf  extracted.  After  the  removal  of  the  calf  and  its  membranes  the 
danger  of  putrid  poisoning  may  be  obviated  by  injecting  the  anti- 
septic solution  advised  in  the  paragraph  above. 

ABORTION  (SLINKING   THE    CALF). 

Technically,  abortion  is  the  term  used  for  the  expulsion  of  the  off- 
spring before  it  can  live  out  of  the  womb.  Its  expulsion  after  it  is 
capable  of  an  independent  existence  is  premature  parturition.  In  the 
cow  this  may  be  after  seven  and  one-half  months  of  pregnancy.  Earl 
Spencer  failed  to  raise  any  calf  born  before  the  two  hundred  and  forty- 
second  day.  Dairymen  use  the  term  abortion  for  the  expulsion  of  the 
product  of  conception  at  any  time  before  the  completion  of  the  full 
period  of  a  normal  pregnancy,  and  in  this  sense  it  will  be  employed 
in  this  article. 

Abortion  in  cows  is  either  contagious  or  noncontagious.  It  does  not 
follow  that  the  contagium  is  the  sole  cause  in  every  case  in  which  it  is 
present.  We  know  that  the  organized  germs  of  contagion  vary  much 
in  potency  at  different  times,  and  that  the  animal  system  also  varies 
in  susceptibility  to  their  attack.  The  germ  may  therefore  be  present 
in  a  herd  without  any  manifest  injury,  its  disease-producing  power 
having  for  the  time  abated  considerably,  or  the  whole  herd  being  in  a 
condition  of  comparative  insusceptibility.  At  other  times  the  same 
germ  may  have  become  so  virulent  that  almost  all  pregnant  cows  suc- 
cumb to  its  force,  or  the  herd  may  have  been  subjected  to  other  causes 
of  abortion  which,  though  of  themselves  powerless  to  actually  cause 
abortion,  may  yet  so  predispose  the  animals  that  even  the  weaker 
germ  will  operate  with  destructive  effect.  In  dealing  with  this  dis- 
ease, therefore,  it  is  the  part  of  wisdom  not  to  rest  satisfied  with  the 
discovery  and  removal  of  one  specific  cause,  but  rather  to  exert  one- 
self to  find  every  existent  cause  and  to  secure  a  remedy  by  correcting 
all  the  harmful  conditions. 

CAUSES  OP  NONCONTAGIOUS  ABORTION. 

As  abortion  most  frequently  occurs  at  those  three- week  intervals 
at  which  the  cow  would  have  been  in  heat  if  nonpregnant,  we  may 
assume  a  predisposition  at  such  times  due  to  a  periodicity  in  the 
nervous  system  and  functions.  Poor  condition,  weakness,  and  a  too 
watery  state  of  the  blood  is  often  a  predisposing  cause.  This  in  its 
turn  may  result  from  poor  or  insufficient  food,  from  the  excessive 
drain  upon  the  udder  while  bearing  the  calf,  from  the  use  of  food 
deficient  in  certain  essential  elements,  like  the  nitrogenous  constitu- 
ents or  albuminoids,  from  chronic  wasting  diseases,  from  roundworms 

61386—08 11 


162  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

or  tapeworms  in  the  bowels,  from  flatworms  (flukes,  trematodes)  in  the 
liver,  from  worms  in  the  lungs,  from  dark,  damp,  unhealthy  build- 
ings, etc.  In  some  such  cases  the  nourishment  is  so  deficient  that  the 
fetus  dies  in  the  womb  and  is  expelled  in  consequence.  Excessive 
loss  of  blood,  attended  as  it  usually  is  by  shock,  becomes  a  direct 
cause  of  abortion. 

Acute  inflammations  of  important  organs  are  notorious  causes  of 
abortion,  and  in  most  contagious  fevers  (lung  plague,  rinderpest, 
foot-and-mouth  disease)  it  is  a  common  result.  Affections  of  the  chest 
which  prevent  due  aeration  of  the  blood  induce  contractions  of  the 
womb,  as  shown  experimentally  by  Brown-Sequard.  Pregnant  women 
suffocated  in  smoke  aborted  in  many  cases.     (Retoul.) 

Chronic  diseases  of  the  abdominal  organs  are  fertile  sources  of  abor- 
tion, especially  those  that  cause  bloating  (tympany  of  the  first  stom- 
ach) or  diarrhea,  or  the  diseases  of  the  ovaries,  kidneys,  or  bladder. 
The  presence  of  gravel,  or  stone,  in  the  kidneys,  bladder,  or  urinary 
canals  is  an  especial  predisposing  or  even  an  exciting  cause  in  mag- 
nesias limestone  districts  and  in  winter.  The  presence  of  tubercles 
in  the  ovaries,  the  broad  ligaments  of  the  womb,  and  even  on  the 
outer  surface  of  the  womb  itself,  must  be  added  as  efficient  causes. 

Fattjr  degeneration  of  the  heart,  a  common  disease  in  old  cows  of 
improved  beef  breeds,  lessens  the  circulation  in  the  placenta  (and 
fetus)  and,  arresting  nutrition,  may  cause  abortion. 

Indigestions  of  all  kinds  are  especially  dangerous,  as  they  are  usu- 
ally associated  with  overdistention  of  the  first  stomach  (paunch)  with 
gas.  As  this  stomach  lies  directly  beneath  and  to  the  left  side  of  the 
womb,  any  disorder,  and  above  all  an  excessive  distention  of  that 
organ,  presses  on  or  affects  the  womb  and  its  contents  dangerously.  It 
further  causes  contractions  of  the  womb  by  preventing  aeration  of  the 
blood.  Hence  all  that  tends  to  indigestion  is  to  be  carefully  guarded 
against.  Privation  of  water,  which  hinders  rumination  and  digestion ; 
ice-cold  water,  which  rouses  the  womb  to  contraction  and  the  calf  to 
vigorous  movement;  green,  succulent  grass,  to  which  the  cow  has  been 
unaccustomed;  clover  which  has  just  been  wet  with  a  slight  shower; 
all  green  food,  roots,  potatoes,  apples,  pumpkins  that  are  frozen  or 
have  been,  or  that  are  simply  covered  with  hoar  frost;  food  that  has 
been  grown  in  wet  seasons  or  that  has  been  badly  harvested;  growing 
corn,  oats,  etc.,  if  the  animal  is  unused  to  them;  a  too  dry  food  or  a 
too  stimulating  food  (wheat  bran,  pease,  maize,  and  cotton  seed)  fed 
too  lavishly  may,  any  one  of  them,  induce  abortion.  The  dry  and 
stimulating  foods  last  named  bring  on  constipation  with  straining, 
and  also  elevated  temperature  of  the  body,  which,  in  itself,  endangers 
the  life  of  the  fetus. 

Putrid,  stagnant  water  is  hurtful  both  to  digestion  and  the  fetus, 
and  abortions  in  cows  have  been  repeatedly  traced  to  this  source  and 


DISEASES    OF   THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  163 

have  ceased  when  pure  water  was  supplied.  Ergoted  grasses  have 
long  been  known  as  a  cause  of  widespread  abortion  in  cows.  The 
ergot  is  familiar  as  the  dark  purple  or  black,  hard,  spur-like  growths 
which  protrude  from  the  seeds  of  the  grasses  at  the  period  of  their 
ripening.  (PI.  V.)  It  is  especially  common  in  damp  localities  and 
cloudy  seasons  on  meadows  shaded  by  trees  and  protected  against  the 
free  sweep  of  the  winds.  The  same  is  to  a  large  extent  true  of  smut. 
Hence,  wet  years  have  been  often  remarkable  for  the  great  prevalence 
of  abortions.  Abortions  have  greatly  increased  in  New  Zealand 
among  cows  since  the  introduction  of  rye  grass,  which  is  specially 
subject  to  ergot.  As  abortion  is  more  prevalent  in  old  dairying  dis- 
tricts, the  ergot  may  not  be  the  sole  cause  in  this  instance. 

The  smut  of  maize,  wheat,  barley,  and  oats  is  fostered  by  similar 
conditions  and  is  often  equally  injurious.  It  should  be  added  that 
the  ergots  and  smuts  of  certain  years  are  far  more  injurious  than  those 
of  others.  This  ma}7  be  attributed  to  the  fact  that  they  have  grown 
under  different  conditions,  and  therefore  have  developed  somewhat 
different  properties,  a  habit  of  fungi  which  has  been  often  observed; 
or  that  in  certain  seasons  the  cows  have  been  more  powerfully  predis- 
posed by  other  operative  causes  of  abortion. 

Both  ergot  and  smut  vary  in  potency  according  to  the  stage  of 
growth.  Doctor  Kluge  found  that  the  ergot  gathered  before  the  grain 
had  fully  ripened  was  much  more  powerful  than  that  from  the  fully 
ripened  grain.  McGugen  found  the  ergot  of  wheat  more  potent  than 
that  of  rye.  It  should  be  added  that  both  ergot  and  smut  are  robbed 
somewhat  of  their  deleterious  properties  if  fed  with  an  abundance  of 
water,  so  that  they  may  prove  harmless  if  fed  with  roots,  ensilage, 
etc.,  whereas  they  will  prove  hurtful  when  fed  in  the  same  amount 
with  dry  hay.  They  are  also  more  liable  to  injure  if  fed  for  a  long 
time  in  succession  in  winter,  though  it  may  be  in  smaller  quantity. 

Rust  is  also  charged  with  causing  abortions."  That  other  crypto- 
gams found  in  musty  fodder  are  productive  of  abortion  has  been 
well  established.  In  Germany  and  France  the  wet  years  of  1851, 
1852,  and  1853  were  notorious  for  the  prevalence  of  abortions.6 
Fodders  harvested  in  such  seasons  are  always  more  or  less  musty, 
and  musty  hay  and  grain  have  been  long  recognized  as  a  prolific 
cause  of  digestive,  urinary,  and  cerebral  disorders.  Impactions  and 
bloatings  of  the  stomachs,  excessive  secretion  of  urine  (diuresis),  and 
red-water  are  common  results  of  such  musty  fodder,  and  we  have 
already  seen  that  such  disorders  of  the  digestive  and  urinary  organs 
are  very  liable  to  affect  the  pregnant  womb  and  induce  abortion. 

The  riding  of  one  another  by  cows  is  attended  by  such  severe  mus- 
cular exertion,  jars,  jolts,  mental  excitement,  and  gravitation  of  the 
womb  and  abdominal  organs  backward  that  it  may  easily  cause 
abortion  in  a  predisposed  animal. 

«Gerlach,  Haselbach.  ^Baumeister.  Rueft",  Rondaud,  Trelut. 


164  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

Keeping  in  stalls  that  slope  too  much  behind  (over  2  inches)  acts  in 
the  same  way,  the  compression  due  to  lying  and  the  gravitation  back- 
ward proving  more  than  a  predisposed  cow  can  safely  bear. 

Deep  gutters  behind  the  stalls,  into  which  one  or  both  hind  limbs 
slip  unexpectedly,  strain  the  loins  and  jar  the  body  and  womb  most 
injuriously.  Slippery  stalls  in  which  the  flooring  boards  are  laid 
longitudinally  in  place  of  transversely,  and  on  which  no  cleats  or 
other  device  is  adopted  to  give  a  firm  foothold,  are  almost  equally 
dangerous.  Driving  on  icy  ground  or  through  a  narrow  doorway 
where  the  abdomen  is  liable  to  be  jammed  are  other  common  causes. 
Offensive  odors  undoubtedly  cause  abortion.  To  understand  this  one 
must  take  into  account  the  preternaturally  acute  sense  of  smell  pos- 
sessed by  cattle.  By  this  sense  the  bull  instantly  recognizes  the 
pregnant  cow  and  refrains  from  disturbing  her,  while  man,  with  all 
his  boasted  skill  and  precise  methods,  finds  it  difficult  to  come  to  a 
just  conclusion.  The  emanations  from  a  cow  in  heat,  however,  will 
instantly  draw  the  bull  from  a  long  distance.  Carrion  in  the  pas- 
ture fields  or  about  slaughterhouses  near  by,  the  emanations  from 
shallow  graves,  dead  rats  or  chickens  about  the  barns,  and  dead 
calves,  the  product  of  prior  abortions,  are  often  chargeable  with  the 
occurrence  of  abortions.  Aborting  cows  often  fail  to  expel  the  after- 
birth, and  if  this  remains  hanging  in  a  putrid  condition  it  is  most 
injurious  to  pregnant  cows  in  the  near  vicinity.  So  with  retained 
afterbirth  in  other  cows  after  calving.  That  some  cows  kept  in  filthy 
stables  or  near-by  slaughterhouses  may  become  inured  to  the  odors  and 
escape  the  evil  results  is  no  disproof  of  the  injurious  effects  so  often 
seen  in  such  cases. 

The  excitement,  jarring,  and  jolting  of  a  railroad  journey  will  often 
cause  abortion,  especially  as  the  cow  nears  the  period  of  calving,  and 
the  terror  or  injury  of  railway  or  other  accidents  prove  incomparably 
worse. 

All  irritant  poisons  cause  abortions  by  the  disorder  and  inflamma- 
tion of  the  digestive  organs,  and  if  such  agents  act  also  on  the  kidneys 
or  womb,  the  effect  is  materially  enhanced.  Powerful  purgatives  or 
diuretics  should  never  be  administered  to  the  pregnant  cow. 

During  pregnancy  the  contact  of  the  expanding  womb  with  the 
paunch,  just  beneath  it,  and  its  further  intimate  connection  through 
nervous  sympathy  with  the  whole  digestive  system,  leads  to  various 
functional  disorders,  and  especially  to  a  morbid  craving  for  unnatural 
objects  of  food.  In  the  cow  this  is  shown  in  the  chewing  of  bones, 
pieces  of  wood,  iron  bolts,  articles  of  clothing,  lumps  of  hardened 
paint,  etc.  An  unsatisfied  craving  of  this  kind,  producing  constant 
excitement  of  the  nervous  system,  will  strongly  conduce  to  abortion. 
How  much  more  so  if  the  food  is  lacking  in  the  mineral  matter,  and 
especially  the  phosphates  necessary  for  the  building  up  of  the  body  of 
both  dam  and  offspring,  to  say  nothing  of  that  drained  off  in  every 


DISEASES    OF   THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  165 

milking.  This  state  of  things  is  present  in  many  old  dairy  farms,  from 
which  the  mineral  matters  of  the  surface  soil  have  been  sold  off  in  the 
milk  or  cheese  for  generations  and  no  return  has  been  made  in  food 
or  manure  purchased.  Here  is  the  craving  of  an  imperative  need,  and 
if  it  is  not  supplied  the  health  of  the  cow  suffers  and  the  life  of  the 
fetus  may  be  sacrificed. 

Among  other  causes  of  abortion  must  be  named  the  death  or  the  vari- 
ous illnesses  of  the  fetus,  which  are  about  as  numerous  as  those  of  the 
adult;  the  slipping  of  a  young  fetus  through  a  loop  in  the  navel  string 
so  as  to  tie  a  knot  which  will  tighten  later  and  interrupt  the  flow  of 
blood  with  fatal  effect,  and  the  twisting  of  the  navel  string  by  the 
turning  of  the  fetus  until  little  or  no  blood  can  flow  through  the  con- 
torted cord.  There  is  in  addition  a  series  of  diseases  of  the  mucous 
membrane  of  the  womb,  and  of  the  fetal  membranes  (inflammation, 
effusion  of  blood,  detachment  of  the  membranes  from  the  womb,  fatty 
or  other  degenerations,  etc.),  which  interfere  with  the  supply  of  blood 
to  the  fetus  or  change  its  quality  so  that  death  is  the  natural  result, 
followed  by  abortion. 

CAUSE   OP  CONTAGIOUS   ABORTION. 

While  any  one  of  the  above  conditions  may  concur  with  the  con- 
tagious principle  in  precipitating  an  epizootic  of  abortion,  yet  it  is 
only  by  reason  of  the  contagium  that  the  disease  can  be  indefinitely 
perpetuated  and  transferred  from  herd  to  herd.  When  an  aborting 
cow  is  placed  in  a  herd  that  has  hitherto  been  healthy,  and  shortly 
afterwards  miscarriage  becomes  prevalent  in  that  herd  and  continues 
year  after  year,  in  spite  of  the  fact  that  all  the  other  conditions  of  life 
in  that  herd  remain  the  same  as  before,  it  is  manifest  that  the  result 
is  due  to  contagion.  When  a  bull,  living  in  a  healthy  herd,  has  been 
allowed  to  serve  an  aborting  cow,  or  a  cow  from  an  aborting  herd,  and 
when  the  members  of  his  own  herd  subsequently  served  by  him  abort 
in  considerable  numbers,  contagion  may  be  safely  inferred.  Mere 
living  in  the  same  pasture  or  building  does  not  convey  the  infection. 
Cows  brought  into  the  aborting  herd  in  advanced  pregnancy  carry 
their  calves  to  the  full  time.  But  cows  served  by  the  infected  bull,  or 
that  have  had  the  infection  conveyed  by  the  tongue  or  tail  of  other 
animals,  or  by  their  own,  or  that  have  had  the  external  genitals  brought 
in  contact  with  wall,  fence,  rubbing  post,  litter,  or  floor  previously 
soiled  by  the  infected  animals,  will  be  liable  to  suffer.  The  Scottish 
abortion  committee  found  that  when  healthy,  pregnant  cows  merely 
stood  with  or  near  aborting  cows  they  escaped,  but  when  a  piece  of 
cotton  wool  lodged  for  twenty  minutes  in  the  vagina  of  the  aborting 
cow  was  afterwards  inserted  into  the  vagina  of  a  healthy,  pregnant 
cow  or  sheep,  these  latter  invariably  aborted  within  a  month.  So  Roloff 
relates  that  in  two  large  stables  at  Erfurt,  without  any  direct  inter- 
communication, but  filled  with  cows  fed  and  managed  in  precisely 


166  DISEASES   OP   OATTLE. 

the  same  way,  abortion  prevailed  for  years  in  the  one,  while  not  a  sin- 
gle case  occurred  in  the  other.  Galtier  finds  that  the  virus  from  the 
aborting  cow  causes  abortions  in  the  sow,  ewe,  goat,  rabbit,  and 
guinea  pig,  and  that  if  it  has  been  intensified  by  passing  through 
either  of  the  two  last-named  animals  it  will  affect  also  the  mare,  bitch, 
and  cat. 

It  does  not  appear  that  it  is  always  the  same  organism  which  causes 
contagious  abortion.  In  France,  Nocard  found  in  the  aborting  mem- 
branes and  the  mucous  membrane  cocci,  or  globular  bodies,  singly 
or  in  chains,  and  a  very  delicate  rod-shaped  organism  by  which  the 
disease  was  propagated  and  which  survived  in  the  womb  through  the 
interval  between  successive  pregnancies.  The  Scottish  commission 
found  as  many  as  five  separate  kinds  of  bacteria.  Bang,  in  Denmark, 
found  a  very  delicate  rod-shaped  organism  showing  its  most  active 
growth  at  two  different  depths  in  nutrient  gelatin,  and  which  produced 
aboriion  in  twenty-one  days  when  inoculated  on  the  susceptible  preg- 
nant cow.  In  America,  Chester,  of  Delaware,  and  Moore,  of  New 
York,  constantly  found  organisms  differing  somewhat  in  the  two 
States,  but  evidently  of  the  same  group  with  the  colon  germ  {Bacillus 
coli  communis).  These  were  never  found  in  the  healthy  pregnant 
womb,  but  in  the  cow  that  had  aborted  they  continued  to  live  in  that 
organ  for  many  months  after  the  loss  of  the  fetus. 

We  may  reasonably  conclude  that  any  micro-organism  which  can 
live  in  or  on  the  lining  membrane  of  the  womb  producing  a  catarrhal 
inflammation,  and  which  can  be  transferred  from  animal  to  animal 
without  losing  its  vitality  or  potency,  is  of  necessity  a  cause  of  con- 
tagious abortion.  As  viewed,  therefore,  from  the  particular  germ 
that  may  be  present,  we  must  recognize  not  one  form  only  of  conta- 
gious abortion,  but  several,  each  due  to  its  own  infecting  germ,  and  each 
differing  from  others  in  minor  particulars,  like  duration  of  incubation, 
infection  of  the  general  system,  and  the  like.  In  Europe  the  germs 
discovered  seem  to  affect  the  general  system  much  more  than  do  those 
found  in  America.  Bang's  germ  caused  abortion  in  twenty-one  days; 
the  New  York  germ,  inoculated  at  service,  often  fails  to  cause  abor- 
tion before  the  fifth  or  seventh  month. 

Symptoms  of  abortion. — As  occurring  during  the  first  two  or  three 
months  of  gestation,  symptoms  may  escape  detection,  and  unless  the 
aborted  product  is  seen  the  fact  of  abortion  may  escape  notice.  Some 
soiling  of  the  tail  with  mucus,  blood,  and  the  waters  may  be  observed 
or  the  udder  may  show  extra  firmness,  and  in  the  virgin  heifer  or  dry 
cow  the  presence  of  a  few  drops  of  milk  may  be  suggestive,  or  the 
fetus  and  its  membranes  may  be  found  in  the  gutter  or  elsewhere  as 
a  mere  clot  of  blood  or  as  a  membranous  ball  in  which  the  forming 
body  of  the  fetus  is  found.  In  water  the  villi  of  the  outer  membrane 
(chorion,  PI.  XII)  float  out,  giving  it  a  characteristically  shaggy 
appearance. 


DISEASES    OF   THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  167 

In  advanced  pregnancy  abortion  is  largely  the  counterpart  of  par- 
turition, so  that  a  special  description  is  superfluous.  The  important 
thing  is  to  distinguish  the  early  symptoms  from  those  of  other  dis- 
eases, so  that  the  tendency  may  be  arrested  and  the  animal  carried 
to  full  time  if  possible.  A  cow  is  dull,  sluggish,  separate  from  the 
herd,  chewing  the  cud  languidly,  or  there  may  be  frequent  lying  down 
and  rising,  uneasy  movements  of  the  hind  feet  or  of  the  tail,  and 
slightly  accelerated  pulse  and  breathing,  and  dry  muzzle.  The  im- 
portant thing  is  not  to  confound  it  with  digestive  or  urinary  disor- 
der, but  in  a  pregnant  cow  to  examine  at  once  for  any  increase  of 
mucus  in  the  vagina,  or  for  blood  or  liquid  there  or  on  the  root  of  the 
tail;  for  any  enlargement,  firmness,  or  tenderness  of  the  udder;  or  in 
dry  cows  examine  for  milk;  and  above  all  for  any  slight  straining 
suggestive  of  labor  pains. 

In  many  cases  the  membranes  are  discharged  with  the  fetus;  in 
others,  in  advanced  pregnancy,  they  fail  to  come  away,  and  remain 
hanging  from  the  vulva,  putrefying  and  falling  piecemeal,  finally 
resulting  in  a  fetid  discharge  from  the  womb.  According  to  the  size 
of  the  herd,  contagious  abortions  will  follow  one  another  at  intervals 
of  one  to  four  or  more  weeks,  in  the  order  of  their  infection  or  of  the 
recurrence  of  the  period  of  activity  of  the  womb  which  corresponds 
to  the  occurrence  of  heat. 

Prevention. — Weakness  and  bloodlessness  are  to  be  obviated  by 
generous  feeding,  and  especially  in  aliments  (wheat  bran,  rape  cake, 
cotton  seed,  oats,  barley,  beans,  pease,  etc.),  rich  in  earthy  salts, 
which  will  also  serve  to  correct  the  morbid  appetite.  This  will  also 
regenerate  the  exhausted  soil  if  the  manure  is  returned  to  it.  In  the 
same  way  the  application  of  ground  bones  or  phosphates  will  correct 
the  evil,  acting  in  this  case  through  the  soil  first  and  raising  better 
food  for  the  stock.  The  ravages  of  worms  are  to  be  obviated  by 
avoiding  infested  pastures,  ponds,  streams,  shallow  wells,  or  those 
receiving  any  surface  leakage  from  land  where  stock  go,  and  by  feed- 
ing salt  at  will,  as  this  agent  is  destructive  to  most  young  worms. 

The  tendency  to  urinary  calculi  in  winter  is  avoided  by  a  succulent 
diet  (ensilage,  steamed  food,  roots,  pumpkins,  apples,  potatoes,  slops), 
and  by  the  avoidance  of  the  special  causes  named  under  "Gravel." 
(See  p.  128.)  Furnishing  water  inside  the  barn  in  winter  in  place  of 
driving  once  a  day  to  take  their  fill  of  ice-cold  water  will  obviate  a 
common  evil.  Putrid  and  stagnant  waters  are  to  be  avoided.  Sud- 
den changes  of  food  are  always  reprehensible,  but  much  more  so  in 
the  pregnant  animal.  Let  the  change  be  gradual.  Carefully  avoid 
the  use  of  spoiled  or  unwholesome  food. 

In  case  of  prevalence  of  ergot  in  a  pasture  it  should  be  kept  eaten 
down  or  cut  down  with  a  mower  so  that  no  portion  runs  to  seed. 
(See  PI.  V.)  In  case  of  a  meadow  the  grass  must  be  cut  early  before 
the  seeds  have  filled.     The  most  dangerous  time  appears  to  be  between 


168  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

the  formation  of  the  milky  seed  and  the  full  ripening.  Yet  the  ergot 
is  larger  in  proportion  to  the  ripeness,  so  that  the  loss  of  potency  is 
made  up  in  quantity.  The  ripe  seed  and  ergot  may  be  removed  by 
thrashing  and  the  hay  safely  fed.  It  may  also  be  noted  that  both 
ergot  and  smut  may  be  safely  fed  in  moderate  quantity,  provided  it 
is  used  with  succulent  food  (ensilage,  roots,  etc.)  or  with  free  access 
to  water,  and  salt  is  an  excellent  accessory  as  encouraging  the  animal 
to  drink.  Both  ergot  and  smut  are  most  injurious  in  winter,  when  the 
water  supply  is  frozen  up  or  accessible  only  at  long  intervals.  The 
ergoted  seed  when  thrashed  out  can  not  be  safely  sown,  but  if  first 
boiled  it  may  be  fed  in  small  amount  or  turned  into  manure.  The 
growth  of  both  ergot  and  smut  may  be  to  a  large  extent  prevented  by 
the  time-honored  Scotch  practice  of  sprinkling  the  seed  with  a  satu- 
rated solution  of  sulphate  of  copper  before  sowing. 

Fields  badly  affected  with  ergot  or  smut  may  be  practically  renewed 
by  plowing  up  and  cultivating  for  a  series  of  years  under  crops  (tur- 
nips, beets,  potatoes,  buckwheat,  etc. )  which  do  not  harbor  the  fungus 
and  which  require  much  cultivation  and  exposure  of  the  soil.  Drain- 
age and  the  removal  of  all  unnecessary  barriers  to  the  free  action  of 
sunshine  and  wind  are  important  provisions. 

Other  precautions  concerning  separation  from  cows  in  heat — a 
proper  construction  of  stalls,  the  avoidance  of  carrion  and  other 
offensive  odors,  protection  from  all  kinds  of  mechanical  injuries, 
including  overdriving  and  carrying  by  rail  in  advanced  pregnancy, 
the  exclusion  of  all  irritants  or  strong  purgatives  and  diuretics  from 
food  or  medicine,  and  the  guarding  against  all  causes  of  indigestion 
and  bloating — have  been  sufficiently  indicated  under  "Causes" 
(p.  165).  For  protection  of  the  womb  and  fetus  against  the  various 
causes  of  disease,  available  methods  are  not  so  evident.  For  cows 
that  have  aborted  in  the  last  pregnancy,  chlorate  of  potash,  3  drams 
daily  before  the  recurrence  of  the  expected  abortion,  has  been  held 
to  be  useful. 

TREATMENT   OF  NONCONTAGIOUS   ABORTION. 

Although  the  first  symptoms  of  abortion  have  appeared,  it  does  not 
follow  that  it  will  go  on  to  completion.  So  long  as  the  fetus  has  not 
perished,  if  the  waters  have  not  been  discharged,  nor  the  water  bags 
presented,  attempts  should  be  made  to  check  its  progress.  Every 
appreciable  and  removable  cause  should  be  done  away  with,  the  cow 
should  be  placed  in  a  quiet  stall  alone,  and  agents  given  to  check  the 
excitement  of  the  labor  pains.  Laudanum  in  doses  of  1  ounce  for  a 
small  cow  or  2  ounces  for  a  large  one  should  be  promptly  administered 
and  repeated  in  three  or  four  hours,  should  the  labor  pains  recur. 
This  may  be  kept  up  for  days  or  even  weeks  if  necessary,  though  that 
is  rarely  required,  as  the  trouble  either  subsides  or  abortion  occurs. 
If  the  laudanum  seems  to  lack  permanency  of  action,  use  bromid  of 


DISEASES    OP   THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  169 

potassium,  or,  better,  extract  of  Viburnum  prunifolium  (40  grains), 
at  intervals  of  two  or  threo  hours  until  five  or  six  doses  have  been 
given. 

PREVENTION  AND  TREATMENT  OF  CONTAGIOUS  ABORTION. 

So  far  as  this  differs  from  the  treatment  of  sporadic  abortion,  it 
consists  in  separation  and  the  free  use  of  germicides  or  disinfectants. 

(1)  Separate  all  aborting  cows  in  isolated  building,  yard,  and  pas- 
ture, allowing  no  other  cows  to  have  access  even  to  their  manure, 
liquid  or  solid.  Not  even  breeding  ewes,  goats,  sows,  rabbits,  or 
mares  should  be  allowed  to  go  from  the  isolated  to  the  noninfected 
premises.     Separate  attendants  and  utensils  are  desirable. 

(2)  Scrape  and  wash  the  back  part  of  the  stall  and  gutter  and  water 
it  with  a  solution  of  5  ounces  sulphate  of  copper  (bluestone)  in  1  gal- 
lon pure  water.  Repeat  this  cleaning  and  watering  at  least  once  a 
week.  This  should  in  all  cases  be  applied  to  every  stall  where  an 
aborting  cow  has  stood  and  to  those  adjacent.  To  treat  the  whole  in 
the  same  way  would  be  even  better,  as  it  is  impossible  to  say  how 
many  of  the  cows  harbor  the  germ.  This  is  the  more  needful  as  that 
in  one  to  three  years,  if  the  aborting  cow  is  kept  on,  she  becomes 
insusceptible  and  carries  her  calf  to  full  time.  A  cow  may  therefore 
be  infecting  to  others  though  she  herself  no  longer  aborts. 

(3)  Dissolve  1  dram  corrosive  sublimate,  1  ounce  each  of  alcohol  and 
glycerin,  and  shake  this  up  in  a  gallon  of  water,  to  use  as  an  injection 
into  the  vagina  and  a  wash  for  the  parts  about  the  vulva  and  root  of 
the  tail.  Being  very  poisonous,  it  should  be  kept  in  a  wooden  barrel 
out  of  the  way  of  animals  or  children.  Every  morning  the  vulva, 
anus,  back  of  the  hips,  and  root  of  the  tail  should  be  sponged  with  this 
liquid,  and  this  is  best  applied  to  the  whole  herd.  A  1  per  cent  solu- 
tion of  carbolic  acid  is  a  good  substitute. 

(4)  When  any  case  of  abortion  has  occurred  the  fetal  membranes 
must  be  removed  by  the  hand  without  delay,  and,  together  with  the 
fetus,  destroyed  by  burning  or  boiling,  or  buried  deeply,  and  the  stall 
should  be  cleansed  and  watered  freely  with  the  copper  solution.  Then 
the  womb  should  be  washed  out  with  li  gallons  of  the  corrosive 
sublimate  solution  injected  through  a  rubber  tube  introduced  to  the 
depth  of  the  womb  and  with  a  funnel  in  its  outer  elevated  end.  This 
should  be  repeated  daily  for  a  week.  In  the  case  of  the  other  non- 
pregnant cows  of  the  herd  one  injection  of  the  same  kind  should  be 
made  into  the  vagina,  after  which  they  need  only  have  their  external 
parts  and  tail  washed  with  the  solution  daily. 

(5)  Do  not  breed  aborting  cows  for  two  or  three  months,  then  use  a 
separate  bull,  injecting  his  sheath  and  washing  his  belly  before  and 
after  each  service  with  the  carbolic-acid  solution.  Exclude  all  out- 
side cows  from  service  by  the  regular  herd  sire  and,  in  purchasing 


170  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

breeding  animals,  subject  them  to  quarantine  and  treatment  before 
placing  them  in  the  sound  herd. 

As  a  certain  number  of  the  cows  will  harbor  the  germ  in  the  womb 
when  treatment  is  started,  it  is  not  to  be  expected  that  abortions  will 
cease  at  once,  but  by  keeping  up  the  treatment  the  trouble  may  be 
got  rid  of  in  the  following  year.  As  an  aborting  cow  is  usually  of 
little  use  for  the  dairy,  it  is  best  to  separate  and  fatten  her  and  apply 
treatment  to  those  that  remain.  In  this,  as  in  other  delicate  manipu- 
lations, the  stock  owner  will  consult  his  own  interest  by  employing  an 
accomplished  veterinarian  and  avoiding  such  as  have  not  had  the 
privileges  of  a  thorough  professional  education.  In  addition  to  the 
above,  the  removal  of  all  manure  and  contaminated  litter  and  the 
sprinkling  of  the  surface  with  the  sulphate  of  copper  solution  is  called 
for.  Drains  should  no  less  be  thoroughly  rinsed  and  disinfected. 
Milking  stools  and  other  implements  may  be  treated  in  the  same  way, 
or  with  carbolic  acid  or  boiling  water.  Great  care  should  be  taken  to 
guard  against  bull  or  cows  from  an  aborting  herd  or  district ;  streams 
even  may  be  suspected  if  there  is  an  aborting  herd  near  by  and  higher 
up  on  that  stream.  Cows  sent  to  bull  from  an  aborting  herd  are  to  be 
positively  denied,  and  workmen  that  have  attended  on  such  a  herd 
should  be  made  to  wash  and  disinfect  their  clothes  and  persons. 

SYMPTOMS   OP   CALVING. 

In  the  cow  the  premonitions  of  calving  are  the  enlargement  of  the 
udder,  which  becomes  firm  and  resistant  to  the  touch,  with  more  or 
less  swelling  in  front,  and  yields  a  serous  milky  fluid;  the  enlarge- 
ment and  swelling  of  the  vulva,  which  discharges  an  abundant  stringy 
mucus;  the  drooping  of  the  belly,  and  the  falling  in  of  the  muscles  at 
each  side  of  the  root  of  the  tail,  so  as  to  leave  deep  hollows.  When 
this  last  symptom  is  seen  calving  may  be  counted  on  in  twenty-four 
hours  or  in  two  or  three  days.  When  the  act  is  imminent,  the  cow 
becomes  uneasy,  moves  restlessly,  leaves  off  eating,  in  the  field  leaves 
the  herd,  lies  down  and  rises  again  as  if  in  pain,  shifts  upon  her  hind 
feet,  moves  the  tail,  and  may  bellow  or  moan.  When  labor  pains 
come  on  the  back  is  arched,  the  croup  drooped,  the  belly  is  drawn  up, 
and  straining  is  more  or  less  violent  and  continuous.  Meanwhile 
blood  may  have  appeared  on  the  vulva  and  tail,  and  soon  the  clear 
water  bags  protrude  between  the  lips  of  the  vulva.  They  increase 
rapidly,  hanging  down  toward  the  hocks,  and  the  fore  or  hind  feet 
can  be  detected  within  them.  With  the  rupture  of  the  bags  and 
escape  of  the  waters  the  womb  contracts  on  the  solid  angular  body  of 
the  fetus  and  is  at  once  stimulated  to  more  violent  contractions,  so 
that  the  work  proceeds  with  redoubled  energy  to  the  complete  expul- 
sion. This  is  the  reason  why  it  is  wrong  to  rupture  the  water  bags  if 
the  presentation  is  normal,  as  they  furnish  a  soft,  uniform  pressure 
for  the  preliminary  dilation  of  the  mouth  of  the  womb  and  passages, 


DISEASES    OF    THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  171 

in  anticipation  of  the  severe  strain  put  upon  them  as  the  solid  body 
of  the  calf  passes. 

The  cow  often  calves  standing,  in  which  case  the  navel  string  is 
broken  as  the  calf  falls  to  the  ground.  If,  however,  she  is  recumbent, 
this  cord  is  torn  through  as  she  rises  up.  The  afterpains  come  on 
three  or  four  hours  later  and  expel  the  membranes,  which  should 
never  be  left  longer  than  twenty-four  hours. 

NATURAL    PRESENTATION. 

When  there  is  but  one  calf  the  natural  presentation  is  that  of  the 
fore  feet  with  the  front  of  the  hoofs  and  knees  turned  upward  toward 
the  tail  of  the  dam  and  the  nose  lying  between  the  knees.  (PL  XV.) 
If  there  are  twins  the  natural  position  of  the  second  is  that  of  the  hind 
feet,  the  heels  and  hocks  turned  upward  toward  the  cow's  tail.  (PI. 
XVIII,  fig.  1.)  In  both  of  these  natural  positions  the  curvature  of  the 
body  of  the  calf  —the  back  arched  upward — is  the  same  with  the  curva- 
ture of  the  passages,  which  descend  anteriorly  into  the  womb,  ascend 
over  the  brim  of  the  pelvis,  and  descend  again  toward  the  external 
opening  (vulva).  Any  presentation  differing  from  the  above  is 
abnormal. 

OBSTACLES   TO    PARTURITION. 

With  a  well-formed  cow  and  calf  and  a  natural  presentation  as  above, 
calving  is  usually  prompt  and  easy.  Obstacles  may,  however,  come 
from  failure  of  the  mouth  of  the  womb  to  dilate;  from  twisting  of 
the  neck  of  the  womb;  from  tumors  in  the  vagina;  from  dropsy  in 
the  womb  or  abdomen ;  from  over  distension  of  the  rectum  or  bladder ; 
from  undue  narrowing  of  the  passages;  from  excess  of  fat  in  the  walls 
of  the  pelvis;  from  the  disturbance  of  a  nervous  cow  by  noises;  from 
stone  or  urine  in  the  bladder;  from  wrong  presentation  of  the  calf, 
its  back  being  turned  downward  or  to  one  side  in  place  of  upward 
toward  the  spine  of  the  dam ;  from  the  bending  backward  into  the 
body  of  the  womb  of  one  or  more  limbs  or  of  the  head ;  from  presen- 
tation of  the  back,  shoulder,  or  croup,  all  four  limbs  being  turned 
back;  from  presentation  of  all  four  feet  at  once;  from  obstruction 
caused  by  an  extra  head  or  extra  limbs,  or  double  body  on  the  part  of 
the  offspring  (PI.  XIX) ;  from  dropsy  or  other  disease  of  the  calf;  from 
excessive  or  imperfect  development  of  the  calf;  from  the  impaction 
of  twins  at  the  same  time  into  the  passages;  or  it  may  be  at  times 
from  the  mere  excessive  volume  of  the  fetus. 

GENERAL   MAXIMS   FOR  THE   ASSISTANT    CONCERNING    DIFFICULT  PAR- 
TURITION. 

Do  not  interfere  too  soon.  "Meddlesome  midwifery  is  bad"  with 
animals  as  with  women.  After  labor  pains  set  in,  give  a  reasonable 
time  for  the  water  bags  to  protrude  and  burst  spontaneously,  and  only 


172  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

interfere  when  delay  suggests  some  mechanical  obstruction.  If  there 
is  no  mechanical  obstruction,  let  the  calf  be  expelled  slowly  by  the 
unaided  efforts  of  the  cow.  Bruises  and  lacerations  of  the  passages 
and  flooding  from  the  uncontracted  womb  may  come  from  the  too 
speedy  extraction  of  the  calf.  When  assistance  is  necessary,  the  oper- 
ator should  dress  in  a  thick  flannel  shirt  from  which  the  sleeves  have 
been  cut  off  clear  up  to  the  shoulders.  This  avoids  danger  of  expos- 
ure, and  yet  leaves  the  whole  arm  free  and  untrammeled.  Before 
inserting  the  hand,  it  and  the  arm  should  be  smeared  with  oil,  lard, 
or  vaseline,  care  being  taken  that  the  oil  or  lard  is  fresh,  neither 
salted  nor  rancid,  and  that  it  has  been  purified  by  boiling  or  rendered 
antiseptic  by  the  addition  of  a  teaspoonful  of  carbolic  acid  to  the 
pound. 

This  is  a  valuable  precaution  against  infecting  the  cow  by  intro- 
ducing putrid  ferments  into  the  passages,  and  against  poisoning  of 
the  arm  by  decomposing  discharges  in  case  the  calving  is  unduly  pro- 
tracted. When  labor  pains  have  lasted  some  time  without  any  signs 
of  the  water  bags,  the  dropping  in  at  the  sides  of  the  rump,  and  the 
other  preparations  for  calving  being  accomplished,  the  hand  should 
be  introduced  to  examine.  When  the  water  bags  have  burst  and 
neither  feet  nor  head  appear  for  some  time,  examination  should  be 
made.  When  one  fore  foot  only  and  the  head  appears,  or  both  fore 
feet  without  the  head,  or  the  head  without  the  fore  feet,  examine.  If 
one  hind  foot  appears  without  the  other,  make  examination.  The 
presenting  limb  or  head  should  be  secured  by  a  rope  with  a  running 
noose,  so  that  it  may  not  pass  back  into  the  womb  and  get  lost  during 
the  subsequent  manipulations,  but  may  be  retained  in  the  vagina  Or 
brought  up  again  easily.  In  searching  for  a  missing  member,  it  is 
usually  better  to  turn  the  head  of  the  cow  down  hill,  so  that  the  gravi- 
tation of  the  fetus  and  abdominal  organs  forward  into  the  belly  of 
the  cow  may  give  more  room  in  which  to  bring  up  the  missing  limb 
or  head.  If  the  cow  is  lying  down  turn  her  on  the  side  opposite  to 
that  on  which  the  limb  is  missing,  so  that  there  may  be  more  room 
for  bringing  the  latter  up.  Even  if  a  missing  limb  is  reached  it  is 
vain  to  attempt  to  bring  it  up  during  a  labor  pain.  Wait  until  the 
pain  has  ceased,  and  attempt  to  straighten  out  the  limb  before  the 
next  pain  comes  on.  If  the  pains  are  violent  and  continuous,  they 
may  be  checked  by  pinching  the  back  or  by  putting  a  tight  surcingle 
round  the  body  in  front  of  the  udder.  These  failing,  1  ounce  or  1| 
ounces  of  chloral  hyd7'ate  in  a  quart  of  water  may  be  given  to  check 
the  pains.  If  the  passages  have  dried  up  or  lost  their  natural  lubri- 
cating liquid,  smear  the  interior  of  the  passages  and  womb,  and  the 
surface  of  the  calf  so  far  as  it  can  be  reached,  with  pure  fresh  lard; 
or  pure  sweet  oil  may  be  run  into  the  womb  through  a  rubber  tube 
(fountain  syringe).  In  dragging  upon  the  fetus  apply  strong  traction 
only  while  the  mother  is  straining,  and  drag  downward  toward  the 


DISEASES    OP   THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  173 

hocks  as  well  as  backward.     The  natural  curvature  of  both  fetus  and 
passages  is  thus  followed,  and  the  extraction  rendered  easier. 

LABOR   PAINS   BEFORE    RELAXATION    OF   THE    PASSAGES. 

Any  of  the  various  causes  of  abortion  may  bring  on  labor  pains 
before  the  time.  Straining  comes  on  days  or  weeks  before  the  time, 
and  there  is  not  the  usual  enlargement,  swelling,  and  mucous  dis- 
charge from  the  vulva.  There  is  little  or  no  falling  in  by  the  sides 
of  the  root  of  the  tail;  the  abdomen  has  not  dropped  to  the  usual 
extent,  and  the  udder  is  less  developed  and  yields  little  or  no  milk. 
In  spite  of  the  pains  no  water  bags  appear,  and  the  oiled  hand  cau- 
tiously introduced  into  the  vagina  finds  the  neck  of  the  womb  firmly 
closed,  rigid,  and  undilatable.  If  it  is  known  that  the  cow  has  not 
reached  her  proper  time  of  calving,  the  examination  through  the 
vagina  should  be  omitted  and  the  animal  should  be  placed  in  a  dark, 
quiet  place  by  herself,  and  be  given  1  to  2  ounces  laudanum.  Vibur- 
nvmi  prunifoUum,  1  ounce,  may  be  added,  if  necessary,  and  repeated 
in  three  hours.     The  pains  will  usually  subside. 

In  some  instances  the  external  parts  are  relaxed  and  duly  prepared, 
but  the  neck  of  the  womb  remains  rigidly  closed.  In  such  a  case  the 
solid  extract  of  belladonna  should  be  smeared  around  the  constricted 
opening  and  the  animal  left  quiet  until  it  relaxes. 

DISEASED    INDURATION    OF   THE   MOUTH   OF   THE    WOMB. 

From  previous  lacerations  or  other  injuries  the  neck  of  the  womb 
may  have  become  the  seat  of  fibrous  hardening  and  constriction,  so  as 
to  prevent  its  dilatation  when  all  other  parts  are  fully  prepared  for 
calving.  The  enlarged,  flabbj7  vulva,  the  sinking  at  each  side  of  the 
rump,  the  full  udder  and  drooping  abdomen  indicate  the  proper  time 
for  calving,  but  the  labor  pains  secure  no  progress  in  the  dilatation  of 
the  mouth  of  the  womb,  and  the  oiled  hand  introduced  detects  the 
rigid,  hard,  and,  in  some  cases,  nodular  feeling  of  the  margins  of  the 
closed  orifice,  which  no  application  of  belladonna  or  other  antispas- 
modic suffices  to  relax.  Sponge  tents  may  be  inserted  or  the  mechan- 
ical dilator  (PI.  XX,  fig.  6)  may  be  used  if  there  is  opening  enough  to 
admit  it,  and  if  not,  a  narrow-bladed  probe-pointed  knife  (PI.  XXIV, 
fig.  2)  may  be  passed  through  the  orifice  and  turned  upward,  down- 
ward, and  to  each  side,  cutting  to  a  depth  not  exceeding  a  quarter  of 
an  inch  in  each  case.  This  done,  a  finger  may  be  inserted,  then  two, 
three,  and  four,  and  finally  all  four  fingers  and  thumb  brought 
together  in  the  form  of  a  cone  and  made  to  push  in  with  rotary  motion 
until  the  whole  hand  can  be  introduced.  After  this  the  labor  pains 
will  induce  further  dilatation,  and  finally  the  presenting  members  of 
the  calf  will  complete  the  process. 


174  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

TWISTING   OF  THE   NECK   OF  THE   WOMB. 

This  is  not  very  uncommon  in  the  cow,  the  length  of  the  body  of 
the  womb  and  the  looseness  of  the  broad  ligaments  that  attach  it  to 
the  walls  of  the  pelvis  favoring  the  twisting.  It  is  as  if  one  were  to 
take  a  long  sack  rather  loosely  filled  at  the  neck  and  turn  over  its 
closed  end,  so  that  its  twisting  should  occur  in  the  neck.  The  twist 
may  be  one-quarter  round,  so  that  the  upper  surface  would  come  to 
look  to  one  side,  or  it  may  be  half  round,  so  that  what  was  the  upper 
surface  becomes  the  lower.  The  relation  of  the  womb  of  the  cow  to 
the  upper  and  right  side  of  the  paunch  favors  the  twisting.  The 
paunch  occupies  the  whole  left  side  of  the  abdomen  and  extends 
across  its  floor  to  the  right  side.  Its  upper  surface  thus  forms  an 
inclined  plane,  sloping  from  the  left  downward  and  to  the  right,  and 
on  this  sloping  surface  lies  the  pregnant  womb. 

It  is  easy  to  see  how,  in  the  constant  movements  of  the  paunch  upon 
its  contents  and  the  frequent  changes  of  position  of  the  growing  fetus 
within  the  womb,  to  say  nothing  of  the  contractions  of  the  adjacent 
bowels  and  the  more  or  less  active  movements  of  the  cow,  the  womb 
should  roll  downward  to  the  right.  And  yet  in  many  cases  the  twist 
is  toward  the  left,  showing  that  it  is  not  the  result  of  a  simple  rolling 
downward  over  the  paunch,  but  rather  of  other  disturbances.  The 
condition  may  be  suspected  when  labor  pains  have  continued  for  some 
time  without  any  sign  of  the  water  bags,  and  it  is  confirmed  when  the 
oiled  hand,  introduced  through  the  vagina,  finds  the  mouth  of  the 
womb  soft  and  yielding,  but  furnished  with  internal  folds  running  for- 
ward in  a  spiral  manner.  If  the  folds  on  the  upper  wall  of  the  orifice 
run  toward  the  right,  the  womb  is  twisted  to  the  right;  if,  on  the  con- 
trary, they  turn  toward  the  left  it  indicates  that  the  womb  is  turned 
over  in  that  direction.  The  direction  of  the  twist  must  be  known 
before  treatment  can  be  undertaken.  Then,  if  the  twist  is  toward  the 
right,  the  cow  is  laid  upon  her  right  side  with  her  head  downhill,  the 
hand  of  the  operator  is  introduced  through  the  spirally  constricted 
neck  of  the  womb,  and  a  limb  or  other  portion  of  the  body  of  the  calf 
is  seized  and  pressed  firmly  against  the  wall  of  the  womb.  Meanwhile 
two  or  three  assistants  roll  the  cow  from  her  right  side  over  her  back 
to  her  left  side.  The  object  is  to  hold  the  womb  and  calf  still  while 
the  body  of  the  cow  rolls  over.  If  successful,  the  twist  is  undone,  its 
grasp  on  the  wrist  is  slackened,  and  the  water  bags  and  calf  press  into 
the  now  open  passage.  If  the  first  attempt  does  not  succeed,  it  is  to 
be  repeated  until  success  has  been  attained.  If  the  spiral  folds  on  the 
upper  wall  of  the  opening  turn  toward  the  left,  the  cow  is  laid  on  her 
left  side  and  rolled  over  on  her  back  and  onto  the  right  side,  the  hand 
being,  as  before,  within  the  womb,  and  holding  the  fetus,  so  that  all 
may  not  rotate  with  the  cow.  In  introducing  the  hand  it  will  usually 
be  found  needful  to  perforate  the  membranes,  so  that  a  limb  of  the  calf 


DISEASES    OF   THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  175 

may  be  seized  direct  and  firmly  held.  Among  my  occasional  causes 
of  failure  with  these  cases  have  been,  first,  the  previous  death  and 
decomposition  of  the  fetus,  leading  to  such  overdistention  of  the  womb 
that  it  could  not  be  made  to  rotate  within  the  abdomen,  and,  second, 
the  occurrence  of  inflammation  and  an  exudate  on  the  twisted  neck 
of  the  womb,  which  hindered  it  from  untwisting. 

In  obstinate  cases,  in  which  the  hand  can  be  made  to  pass  through 
the  neck  of  the  womb  easily,  additional  help  may  be  had  from  the  use 
of  the  instrument  shown  in  PI.  XX,  fig.  5.  Two  cords,  with  running 
nooses,  are  successively  introduced  and  made  fast  on  two  limbs  of  the 
calf;  the  cords  are  then  passed  through  the  two  rings  on  the  end  of  the 
instrument,  which  is  passed  into  the  womb  and  the  cords  drawn  tight 
and  fixed  round  the  handle.  Then,  using  the  handle  as  a  lever,  it  is 
turned  in  the  direction  opposite  to  the  twist.  The  hand  should  mean- 
while be  introduced  into  the  womb  and  the  snared  limbs  seized  and 
pressed  against  its  walls  so  as  to  secure  the  rotation  of  the  uterus  along 
with  the  body  of  the  fetus.  The  relaxation  of  the  constriction  and 
the  effacement  of  the  spiral  folds  will  show  when  success  has  been 
gained,  and  the  different  members  at  one  end  of  the  body  should  then 
be  brought  up  so  as  to  secure  a  natural  presentation. 

NARROW  PELVIS  FROM   FRACTURE   OR  DISEASE. 

In  a  small  cow  the  pelvis  may  be  too  narrow  to  pass  a  calf  sired  by 
a  bull  of  a  large  breed,  but  this  is  exceptional,  as  the  fetus  usually 
accommodates  itself  to  the  size  of  the  dam  and  makes  its  extra  growth 
after  birth.  When  the  pelvic  bones  have  been  fractured  repair  takes 
place  with  the  formation  of  a  large  permanent  callus,  which,  projecting 
internally,  may  be  a  serious  obstacle  to  calving.  Worse  still,  if  the 
edge  of  the  broken  bone  projects  internally  as  a  sharp  spike  or  ridge, 
the  vaginal  walls  are  cut  upon  this  during  the  passage  of  the  calf, 
with  serious  or  fatal  result.  In  other  cases,  where  the  cow  has  suffered 
from  fragility  of  bone  (fragilitas  ossium)  the  thickening  of  the  bone 
causes  narrowing  of  the  long  passage  of  the  pelvis  and  the  crumb- 
ling fractures  poorly  repaired,  with  an  excess  of  brittle  new  material, 
may  form  an  insuperable  obstacle  to  parturition.  Cows  affected  in  any 
of  these  ways  should  never  again  be  bred,  but  if  they  do  get  pregnant 
and  reach  full  time  a  careful  examination  will  be  necessary  to  deter- 
mine whether  natural  parturition  can  take  place,  or  if  the  calf  must 
be  extracted  in  pieces.     (See  "Embryotomy,"  p.  198.) 

OBSTRUCTION  BY   MASSES   OF   FAT. 

This  is  not  unknown  in  old  cows  of  the  beef  breeds,  the  enormous 
masses  of  fat  upon  and  within  the  pelvis  being  associated  with  weak- 
ness or  fatty  degeneration  of  the  muscles.  If  the  presentation  is  nat- 
ural, little  more  is  wanted  than  a  judicious  traction  upon  the  fetus  to 
compress  and  overcome  the  soft  resisting  masses. 


176  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

OBSTRUCTION    BY   A   FULL   BLADDER   OR  RECTUM   OR  BY   STONE. 

In  all  cases  of  delayed  or  tardy  parturition  the  evacuation  of  rectum 
and  bladder  is  important,  and  it  is  no  less  so  in  all  difficult  parturi- 
tions. Stone  in  the  bladder  is  fortunately  rare  in  the  cow,  but  when 
present  it  should  be  removed  to  obviate  crushing  and  perhaps  perfora- 
tion of  the  organ  during  calving. 

CALVING   RETARDED   BY   NERVOUSNESS. 

In  a  public  fair  ground  I  have  seen  labor  pains  begin  early  in  the 
day  and  keep  up  in  a  weak  and  insufficient  manner  for  many  hours, 
until  the  stall  was  thoroughly  closed  in  and  the  cow  secluded  from 
the  constant  stream  of  visitors  and  the  incessant  noise,  when  at  once 
the  pains  became  strong  and  effective  and  the  calf  was  soon  born. 

COAGULATED  BLOOD  UNDER  THE  VAGINAL  WALLS. 

This  is  common  after  calving,  but  will  sometimes  occur  before,  as 
the  result  of  accidental  injury.  The  mass  may  be  recognized  by  its 
dark  hue  and  the  doughy  sensation  to  the  touch.  It  may  be  cut  into 
and  the  mass  turned  out  with  the  fingers,  after  which  it  should  be 
washed  frequently  with  an  antiseptic  lotion  (carbolic  acid  1  dram  in 
1  quart  of  water). 

CONSTRICTION   OF  A   MEMBER  BY   THE   NAVEL   STRING. 

In  early  fetal  life  the  winding  of  the  navel  string  round  a  limb  may 
cause  the  latter  to  be  slowly  cut  off  by  absorption  under  the  constrict- 
ing cord.  So  at  calving  the  cord  wound  round  a  presenting  member 
may  retard  progress  somewhat,  and  though  the  calf  may  still  be  born 
tardily  by  the  unaided  efforts  of  the  mother,  it  is  liable  to  come  still- 
born, because  the  circulation  in  the  cord  is  interrupted  by  compres- 
sion before  the  offspring  can  reach  the  open  air  and  commence  to 
breathe.  If,  therefore,  it  is  possible  to  anticipate  and  prevent  this 
displacement  and  compression  of  the  navel  string  it  should  be  done, 
but  if  this  is  no  longer  possible,  then  the  extraction  of  the  calf  should 
be  effected  as  rapidly  as  possible,  and  if  breathing  is  not  at  once 
attempted  it  should  be  started  by  artificial  means. 

WATER   IN   THE   HEAD  (HYDROCEPHALUS)  OF  THE   CALF. 

This  is  an  enormous  distention  of  the  cavity  holding  the  brain,  by 
reason  of  the  accumulation  of  liquid  in  the  internal  cavities  (ventri- 
cles) of  the  brain  substance.  The  head  back  of  the  eyes  rises  into  a 
great  rounded  ball  (PI.  XIX,  figs.  4  and  5),  which  proves  an  insuper- 
able obstacle  to  parturition.  The  fore  feet  and  nose  being  the  parts 
presented,  no  progress  can  be  made,  and  even  if  the  feet  are  pulled 
upon,  the  nose  can  not  by  any  means  be  made  to  appear.     The  oiled 


Diseases  of  Cattle. 


PLATE  XII. 


Fetal  Calf  within  its  membranes. 


Diseases  of  Cattle. 


PLATE  XIII. 


^snz4&ieA,T-/CtfC&t/  g£&&r*t 


Pregnant  uterus  with  Cotyledons. 


Diseases  of  Cattle. 


PLATE  XIV. 


VESSELS  OF  UMBILICAL  CORD. 


Diseases  of  Cattle. 


PLATE  XV. 


DISEASES    OF   THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  177 

hand  introduced  into  the  passages  will  feel  the  nose  presenting  between 
the  fore  limbs,  and  on  passing  the  hand  back  over  the  face  the  hard 
rounded  mass  of  the  cranium  is  met  with.  A  sharp-pointed  knife  or 
a  canula  and  trocar  should  be  introduced  in  the  palm  of  the  hand  and 
pushed  into  the  center  of  the  rounded  mass  so  as  to  evacuate  the  water. 
The  hand  is  now  used  to  press  together  the  hitherto  distended  but  thin 
and  fragile  walls,  and  the  calf  may  be  delivered  in  the  natural  way. 
If  the  enlarged  head  is  turned  backward  it  must  still  be  reached  and 
punctured,  after  which  it  must  be  brought  up  into  position  and  the 
calf  delivered. 

If  the  hind  feet  present  first,  all  may  go  well  until  the  body  and 
shoulders  have  passed  out,  when  further  progress  is  suddenly  arrested 
by  the  great  bulk  of  the  head.  If  possible,  the  hand,  armed  with  a 
knife  or  trocar,  must  be  passed  along  the  side  of  the  shoulder  or  neck 
so  as  to  reach  and  puncture  the  distended  head.  Failing  in  this,  the 
body  may  be  skinned  up  from  the  belly  and  cut  in  two  at  the  shoulder 
or  neck,  after  which  the  head  can  easily  be  reached  and  punctured. 
If  in  such  a  case  the  fore  limbs  have  been  left  in  the  womb,  these  may 
now  be  brought  up  into  the  passage,  and  when  dragged  upon  the  col- 
lapsed head  will  follow. 

If  the  distention  is  not  sufficient  to  have  rendered  the  bony  walls  of 
the  cranium  thin  and  fragile,  so  that  they  can  be  compressed  with  the 
hand  after  puncture,  a  special  method  may  be  necessary.  A  long 
incision  should  be  made  from  behind  forward  in  the  median  line  of 
the  cranium  with  an  embryotomy  knife  (PI.  XXI,  fig.  1)  or  with  a  long 
embryotome  (PI.  XX,  fig.  3).  By  this  means  the  bones  on  the  one  side 
are  completely  separated  from  those  on  the  other  and  may  be  made 
to  overlap  and  perhaps  to  flatten  down.  If  this  fails  they  may  be  cut 
from  the  head  all  around  the  base  of  the  rounded  cranial  swelling,  by 
means  of  a  guarded  chisel  (PL  XX,  fig.  8)  and  mallet,  after  which 
there  will  be  no  difficulty  in  causing  them  to  collapse. 

DROPSY  OF  THE  ABDOMEN  OF  THE  CALF  (ASCITES). 

This  is  less  frequent  than  hydrocephalus,  but  no  less  difficult  to  deal 
with .  With  an  anterior  presentation  the  fore  limbs  and  head  may  come 
away  easily  enough,  but  no  effort  will  advance  the  calf  beyond  the 
shoulders.  The  first  thought  should  be  dropsy  of  the  belly,  and  the 
oiled  hand  introduced  by  the  side  of  the  chest  will  detect  the  soft  and 
fluctuating  yet  tense  sac  of  the  abdomen.  If  there  is  space  to  allow 
of  the  introduction  of  an  embryotomy  knife,  the  abdomen  may  be 
freely  cut  with  this,  when  the  fluid  will  escape  into  the  womb  and 
parturition  may  proceed  naturally.  If  this  can  not  be  effected,  a  long 
trocar  and  canula  may  be  passed  between  the  first  two  ribs  and 
straight  on  beneath  the  spine  until  it  punctures  the  abdomen.  (PI. 
XVIII,  fig.  2.)     Then  the  trocar  is  to  be  withdrawn  and  the  liquid 

61386—08 12 


178  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

will  flow  through  the  canula  and  will  be  hastened  by  traction  on  the 
fore  limbs.  In  the  absence  of  the  trocar  and  canula,  two  or  three  of 
the  first  ribs  may  be  cut  from  the  breastbone,  so  that  the  hand  may  be 
introduced  through  the  chest  to  puncture  the  diaphragm  with  an 
embryotomy  knife  and  allow  an  escape  of  the  water.  In  some  slighter 
cases  a  tardy  delivery  may  take  place  without  puncture,  the  liquid 
bulging  forward  into  the  chest  as  the  abdomen  is  compressed  in  the 
pelvic  passages.  With  a  posterior  presentation  the  abdomen  may  be 
punctured  more  easily  either  in  the  flank  or  with  a  trocar  and  canula 
through  the  anus. 

GENERAL   DROPSY    OF   THE   CALF. 

This  occurs  from  watery  blood  or  disease  of  some  internal  organ, 
like  the  liver  or  kidney,  and  is  recognized  by  the  general  puffed  up 
and  rounded  condition  of  the  body,  which  pits  everywhere  on  pressure 
but  without  crackling.  If  not  too  extreme  a  case,  the  calf  may  be 
extracted  after  it  has  been  very  generally  punctured  over  the  body, 
but  usually  the  only  resort  is  to  extract  it  in  pieces.  (See  "  Embry- 
otomy," p.  198.) 

SWELLING   OF  THE   CALF   WITH   GAS. 

This  is  usually  the  result  of  the  death  and  decomposition  of  the 
fetus  when  extraction  has  been  delayed  for  a  day  or  more  after  the 
escape  of  the  waters.  It  is  impossible  to  extract  it  whole,  owing  to 
its  large  size  and  the  dry  state  of  the  skin  of  the  calf,  the  membranes, 
and  the  wall  of  the  womb.  These  dry  surfaces  stick  with  such  tenac- 
ity that  no  attempt  at  traction  leads  to  any  advance  of  the  calf  out  of 
the  womb  or  into  the  passages.  When  the  fetus  is  advanced  the 
adherent  womb  advances  with  it,  and  when  the  strain  is  relaxed  both 
recede  to  where  they  were  at  first.  The  condition  may  be  helped 
somewhat  by  the  free  injection  of  oil  into  the  womb,  but  it  remains 
impossible  to  extract  the  enormously  bloated  body,  and  the  onty  resort 
is  to  cut  it  in  pieces  and  extract  it  by  degrees.  (See  "  Embryotomy," 
p.  198.) 

RIGID    CONTRACTIONS   OF   MUSCLES. 

In  the  development  of  the  calf,  as  in  after  life,  the  muscles  are  sub- 
ject to  cramps,  and  in  certain  cases  given  groups  of  muscles  remain 
unnaturally  short,  so  that  even  the  bones  grow  in  a  twisted  and  dis- 
torted way.  In  one  case  the  head  and  neck  are  drawn  round  to  one 
side  and  can  not  be  straightened  out,  even  the  bones  of  the  face  and 
the  nose  being  curved  around  to  that  side.  In  other  cases  the  flexor 
muscles  of  the  fore  legs  are  so  shortened  that  the  knees  are  kept  con- 
stantly bent  and  can  not  be  extended  by  force.  The  bent  neck  may 
sometimes  be  sufficiently  straightened  for  extraction  by  cutting  across 
the  muscles  on  the  side  to  which  it  is  turned,  and  the  bent  knees  by 
cutting  the  cords  on  the  back  of  the  shank  bones  just  below  the  knees. 


DISEASES    OF   THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  179 

If  this  fails,  there  remains  the  resort  of  cutting  off  the  distorted  limbs 
or  head.     (See  "Emlnyotomy,"  p.  198.) 

TUMORS   OF  THE    CALF    (INCLOSED   OVUM). 

Tumors  or  new  growths  grow  on  the  unborn  calf  as  on  the  mature 
animal,  and  by  increasing  the  diameter  of  the  body  render  its  prog- 
ress through  the  passage  of  the  pelvis  impossible.  In  my  experience 
with  large  fleshy  tumors  of  the  abdomen,  I  have  cut  open  the  chest, 
removed  the  lungs  and  heart,  cut  through  the  diaphragm  with  the 
knife,  and  removed  the  tumor  piecemeal  by  alternate  tearing  and 
cutting  until  the  volume  of  the  body  was  sufficiently  reduced  to  pass 
through.  Where  this  failed  it  would  remain  to  cut  off  the  anterior 
part  of  the  body,  removing  as  much  of  the  chest  as  possible,  and  cut- 
ting freely  through  the  diaphragm ;  then,  pushing  back  the  remainder 
of  the  body,  the  hind  limbs  may  be  seized  and  brought  into  the  pas- 
sages and  the  residue  extracted  thus.  The  tumor,  unless  very  large, 
will  get  displaced  backward  so  as  not  to  prove  an  insuperable  obstacle. 

In  many  cases  the  apparent  tumor  is  a  blighted  ovum  which  has 
failed  to  develop,  but  has  grafted  itself  on  its  more  fortunate  twin 
and  from  it  has  drawn  its  nourishment.  These  are  usually  sacs  con- 
taining hair,  skin,  muscle,  bone,  or  other  natural  tissues,  and  only 
exceptionally  do  they  show  the  distinct  outline  of  the  animal. 

MONSTROSITY   IN   THE    CALF. 

As  a  monstrous  development  in  the  calf  may  hinder  calving,  it  is 
well  to  consider  shortly  the  different  directions  in  which  these  devi- 
ations from  the  natural  form  appear.  Their  origin  and  significance 
will  be  rendered  clearer  if  we  divide  them  according  to  the  fault  of 
development  in  individual  cases.     Monsters  are  such — 

(1)  From  absence  of  parts — absence  of  head,  limb,  or  other  organ — 
arrested  development. 

(2)  From  some  organ  being  unnaturally  small,  as  a  dwarfed  head, 
limb,  trunk,  etc. — arrested  development. 

(3)  From  unnatural  division  of  parts — cleft  lips,  palate,  head,  trunk, 
limbs,  etc. — abnormal  growth. 

(4)  From  the  absence  of  natural  divisions — absence  of  mouth,  nose, 
eye,  anus,  the  cloven  foot  of  ox  or  pig  becomes  solid  like  that  of  the 
horse,  etc. — confluence  of  parts  which  are  rightfully  separate. 

(5)  From  the  fusion  of  parts — both  eyes  replaced  by  central  one, 
both  nostrils  merged  into  one  central  opening,  etc. — confluence  of  parts. 

(6)  From  unnatural  position  or  form  of  parts — curved  nose,  neck, 
back,  limbs,  etc. — lack  of  balance  in  the  growth  of  muscles  during 
development. 

(7)  From  excessive  growth  of  one  or  more  organs — enormous  size  of 
head,  double  penis,  superfluous  digits,  etc. — redundancy  of  growth  at 
given  points. 


180  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

(8)  From  imperfect  differentiation  of  the  sexual  organs — hermaphro- 
dites (organs  intermediate  between  male  and  female),  male  organs 
with  certain  feminine  characters,  female  organs  with  certain  well- 
marked  male  characters. 

(9)  From  the  doubling  of  parts  or  of  the  entire  body — double  mon- 
sters, double  heads,  double  bodies,  extra  limbs,  etc. — redundant 
development.     (PI.  XIX,  figs.  1,  2,  3.) 

Causes. — The  causes  of  monstrosities  are  varied.  Some,  like  extra 
digits,  lack  of  horns,  etc.,  run  in  families,  which  produce  them  with 
absolute  certainty  when  bred  in  the  direct  line,  although  they  were 
originally  acquired  peculiarities,  which  have  merely  been  fixed  by 
long  habit  in  successive  generations.  The  earliest  horse  had  five  toes, 
and  even  the  most  recent  fossil  horse  had  three  toes,  of  which  the  two 
lateral  ones  are  still  represented  in  the  modern  horse  by  the  two  splint 
bones.  Yet  if  our  horse  develops  an  extra  toe  it  is  pronounced  a 
monstrosity.  A  more  genuine  monstrosity  is  the  solid-hoofed  pig,  in 
which  two  toes  have  been  merged  into  one.  Another  of  the  same  kind 
is  the  solid  shank  bone  of  the  ox,  which  consists  of  two  bones  united 
into  one,  but  which  are  still  found  apart  in  the  early  fetus.  Though 
originally  acquired  peculiarities,  these  now  breed  as  invariably  as 
color  or  form. 

Other  monstrosities  seem  to  have  started  in  too  close  breeding,  by 
which  the  powers  of  symmetrical  development  are  impaired,  just  as 
the  procreative  power  weakens  under  continuous  breeding  from  the 
closest  blood  relations.  A  monstrosity  consisting  in  the  absence  of 
an  organ  often  depends  on  a  simple  lack  of  development,  the  result 
of  disease  or  injury,  as  a  young  bone  is  permanently  shortened  by 
being  broken  across  the  soft  part  between  the  shaft  and  the  end,  the 
only  part  where  increase  in  length  can  take  place.  As  the  result  of 
the  injury  the  soft  growing  layer  becomes  prematurely  hard  and  all 
increase  in  length  at  that  end  of  the  bone  ceases.  This  will  account 
for  some  cases  of  absence  of  eye,  limb,  or  other  organ. 

Sometimes  a  monstrosity  is  due  to  the  inclosure  of  one  ovum  in 
another  while  the  latter  is  still  but  a  soft  mass  of  cells  and  can  easily 
close  around  the  first.  Here  each  ovum  has  an  independent  life,  and 
they  develop  simultaneously,  only  the  outer  one  having  direct  con- 
nection with  the  womb  and  being  furnished  with  abundant  nourish- 
ment advances  most  rapidly  and  perfectly,  while  the  inclosed  and 
starved  ovum  is  dwarfed  and  imperfect  often  to  the  last  degree. 

In  many  cases  of  excess  of  parts  the  extra  part  or  member  is  mani- 
festly derived  from  the  same  ovum,  and  even  the  same  part  of  the 
ovum,  being  merely  the  effect  of  a  redundancy  and  vagary  of  growth. 
Such  cases  include  most  instances  of  extra  digits  or  other  organs, 
and  even  of  double  monsters,  as  manifested  by  the  fact  that  such 
extra  organs  grow  from  the  normal  identical  organs.  Hence  the 
extra  digit  is  attached  to  the  normal  digit,  the  extra  head  to  the  one 


DISEASES    OF    THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  181 

neck,  and  extra  tail  to  the  croup,  extra  teeth  to  the  existing  teeth, 
and  even  two  similarly  formed  bodies  are  attached  by  some  point 
common  to  both,  as  the  navels,  breastbones,  back,  etc.  (PI.  XIX, 
figs.  1,  2,  3.)  This  shows  that  both  have  been  derived  from  the  same 
primitive  layer  of  the  embryo,  which  possessed  the  plastic  power  of 
building  up  a  given  structure  or  set  of  organs.  An  inclosed  ovum, 
on  the  other  hand,  has  no  such  identity  or  similarity  of  structure  to 
the  part  with  which  it  is  connected,  showing  an  evident  primary 
independence  of  both  life  and  the  power  of  building  tissues  and 
organs.  The  power  of  determining  extra  growth  along  a  given 
natural  line  is  very  highly  developed  in  the  early  emb^o,  and  is 
equally  manifest  in  the  mature  example  of  some  of  the  lower  forms 
of  animal  life.  Thus  a  newt  will  grow  a  new  tail  when  that  member 
has  been  cut  off,  and  a  starfish  will  develop  as  many  new  starfishes 
as  the  pieces  made  by  cutting  up  the  original  one.  This  power  of 
growth  in  the  embryo  and  in  the  lower  forms  of  animals  is  compa- 
rable to  the  branching  out  again  of  a  tree  at  the  places  from  which 
branches  have  been  lopped.  The  presence  of  this  vegetable-like 
power  of  growth  in  the  embryo  accounts  for  most  double  monsters. 

The  influence  of  disease  in  modifying  growth  in  the  early  embryo, 
increasing,  decreasing,  distorting,  etc.,  is  well  illustrated  in  the 
experiments  of  St.  Hilaire  and  Valentine  in  varnishing,  shaking,  or 
otherwise  disturbing  the  connections  of  eggs,  and  thereby  producing 
monstrosities.  One  can  easily  understand  how  inflammations  and 
other  causes  of  disturbed  circulation  in  the  womb,  fetal  membranes, 
or  fetus  would  cause  similar  distortions  and  variations  in  the  growing 
offspring.  It  is  doubtless  largely  in  the  same  way  that  certain  men- 
tal disturbances  of  a  very  susceptible  dam  affect  the  appearance  of 
the  progeny.  The  monstrosities  which  seriously  interfere  with 
calving  are  mainly  such  as  consist  in  extra  members  or  head,  which 
can  not  be  admitted  into  the  passages  at  the  same  time ;  where  some 
organ  of  the  body  has  attained  to  extra  size;  where  a  blighted  ovum 
has  been  inclosed  in  the  body  of '  a  more  perfect  one,  or  where  the 
body  or  limbs  are  so  contracted  or  twisted  that  the  calf  must  enter 
the  passages  doubled  up. 

Treatment. — Extraction  is  sometimes  possible  by  straightening  the 
distorted  members  by  the  force  of  traction ;  in  other  cases  the  muscles 
or  tendons  must  be  cut  across  on  the  side  to  which  the  body  or  limbs 
are  bent  to  allow  of  such  straightening.  Thus,  the  muscles  on  the  con- 
cave side  of  a  wry  neck  or  the  cords  behind  the  shank  bones  of  a  con- 
tracted limb  may  be  cut  to  allow  of  these  parts  being  brought  into  the 
passages,  and  there  will  still  be  wanting  the  methods  demanded  for 
bringing  up  missing  limbs  or  head,  for  which  see  paragraphs  below. 
In  most  cases  of  monstrosity  by  excess  of  overgrowth  it  becomes  nec- 
essary to  cut  off  the  supernumerary  or  overdeveloped  parts,  and  in 


182 


DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 


Fore  limbs 


Head 


this  the  same  general  principles  must  be  followed  as  laid  down  in 
''Embryotomy"  (p.  198). 

TABLE   OF   WRONG   PRESENTATIONS   OF  THE   CALF. 

Simultaneous  presentation  of  twins. 

Limbs  curved  at  the  knee.     Flexor  tendons  shortened. 

Limb  crossed  over  the  back  of  the  neck. 

Limb  bent  back  at  the  knee. 

Limb  bent  back  from  the  shoulder. 

Head  bent  downward  on  the  neck. 

Head  and  neck  turned  downward  beneath  the  breast. 

Head  turned  to  one  side  upon  the  side  of  the  neck. 

Head  and  neck  turned  back  on  the  side  of  the  chest  and 

abdomen. 
Head  turned  upward  and  backward  on  the  back. 

(Hind  limbs  rotated  outward.     Toes  and  stifles  turned  out- 
ward. 
Hind  limbs  bent  forward,  their  feet  resting  in  the  pelvis. 
Back  of  the  calf  turned  to  the  right  or  left  side. 
Back  of  the  calf  turned  to  the  floor  of  the  pelvis  and  udder. 
Hind  limb  bent  on  itself  at  the  hock.     Hock  and  buttocks 

present. 
Hind  limb  bent  at  the  hips.     Buttocks  present. 
Back  of  calf  turned  to  the  right  or  left  side. 
Back  of  calf  turned  to  the  floor  of  the  pelvis  and  udder. 

Head  up  toward  the  spine, 


a 
u  o 
£■£ 

u  & 
®  if  <r 

ft 


Hind  limbs. 

Transerse  _ . 
Inverted  ... 


Hind  limbs. 

Transverse 
Inverted  . . . 


Back  and   loins 
presented. 


►Position  of  calf  vertical. 


Breast  and  abdo- 
men presented. 


Position  of  calf  transverse  - 


>Position  of  calf  transverse 


croup  toward  udder. 
Head   down  toward  udder, 

croup  toward  spine. 
Head  toward  the  right  side, 

croup  toward  the  left. 
Head  toward  the  left  side, 

croup  toward  the  right. 
Head     toward   right    side, 

croup  toward  left. 
Head  toward  left  side,  croup 

toward  right. 


These  include  all  general  presentations,  yet  other  subsidiary  ones 
will  at  once  occur  to  the  attentive  reader.  Thus,  in  each  anterior  or 
posterior  presentation,  with  the  back  of  the  calf  turned  downward  or 
to  one  side,  the  case  may  be  complicated  by  the  bending  back  of  one 
or  more  members  as  a  whole  or  at  the  joint  just  above  the  shank 
bones  (knee  or  hock).  So  also  in  such  anterior  presentation  the  head 
inav  be  turned  back. 


HEAD   AND   FORE   FEET   PRESENTED — BACK  TURNED   TO   ONE   SIDE. 

The  calf  has  a  greater  diameter  from  above  down  (spine  to  breast- 
bone) than  it  has  from  side  to  side,  and  the  same  is  true  of  the  passage 
of  the  pelvis  of  the  cow,  which  measures,  on  an  average,  8TV  inches 
from  above  downward  and  7TV  inches  from  side  to  side.     Hence  the 


DISEASES    OF    THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  183 

calf  passes  most  easily  with  its  back  upward,  and  when  turned  with 
its  back  to  one  side  calving  is  always  tardy  and  may  be  difficult  or 
impossible.  The  obvious  remedy  is  to  rotate  the  calf  on  its  own  axis 
until  its  spine  turns  toward  the  spine  of  the  cow.  The  operation  is 
not  difficult  if  the  body  of  the  calf  is  not  yet  fixed  in  the  passages. 
The  presenting  feet  are  twisted  over  each  other  in  the  direction 
desired,  and  this  is  continued  until  the  head  and  spine  have  assumed 
their  proper  place.  If  the  body  is  firmly  engaged  in  the  passages  the 
skin  of  the  whole  engaged  portion  should  be  freely  lubricated  with 
lard,  and  the  limbs  and  head  twisted  over  each  other  as  above.  The 
limbs  may  be  twisted  by  an  assistant  where  the  head  is  manipulated 
by  the  operator,  who  drags  on  the  rope  turned  halfway  round  the 
limbs  and  assists  in  the  rotation  with  his  other  hand  in  the  passages. 

HEAD  AND  FORE  FEET  PRESENTED — BACK  TURNED  DOWN  TOWARD 

THE  UDDER. 

This  position  (PL  XVI,  fig.  6)  is  unnatural,  and  the  parturition  is 
difficult  for  two  reasons:  First,  the  natural  curvature  of  the  fetus  is 
opposed  to  the  natural  curvature  of  the  passages;  and,  second,  the 
thickest  part  of  the  body  of  the  calf  (the  upper)  is  engaged  in  the 
narrowest  part  of  the  passage  of  the  pelvis  (the  lower).  Yet  unless 
the  calf  is  especially  large  and  the  pelvis  of  the  cow  narrow,  parturi- 
tion may  usually  be  accomplished  in  this  way  spontaneously  or  with 
very  little  assistance  in  the  way  of  traction  on  the  limbs.  If  this  can 
not  be  accomplished,  two  courses  are  open :  First,  to  rotate  the  calf  as 
when  the  back  is  turned  to  one  side;  and,  second,  to  push  back  the 
presenting  fore  limbs  and  head  and  search  for  and  bring  up  the  hind 
limbs,  when  the  presentation  will  be  a  natural  posterior  one. 

PRESENTATION   OF   THE   HIND    FEET  WITH   THE   BACK   TURNED  TO   ONE 

SIDE   OR   DOWNWARD. 

These  are  the  exact  counterparts  of  the  two  conditions  last  described, 
are  beset  with  similar  drawbacks,  and  are  to  be  dealt  with  on  the 
same  general  principles.  (PL  XVII,  fig.  4.)  With  the  back  turned 
to  one  side  the  body  should  be  rotated  until  the  back  turns  toward 
the  spine  of  the  dam,  and  with  the  back  turned  down  it  must  be 
extracted  in  that  position  (care  being  taken  that  the  feet  do  not  per- 
forate the  roof  of  the  vagina)  or  it  must  be  rotated  on  its  own  axis  until 
the  back  turns  upward,  or  the  hind  limbs  must  be  pushed  back  and 
the  fore  limbs  and  head  advanced,  when  the  presentation  will  be  a 
natural  anterior  one. 

IMPACTION   OF   TWINS    IN  THE   PASSAGE. 

It  is  very  rare  to  have  twins  enter  the  passages  together  so  as  to 
become  firmly  impacted.  As  a  rule  each  of  the  twins  has  its  own  sep- 
arate membranes,  and  as  the  water  bags  of  the  one  will  naturally  first 
enter  and  be  the  first  to  burst,  so  the  calf  which  occupied  those  mem- 


184  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

branes  will  be  the  first  to  enter  the  passage  and  the  other  will  be 
thereby  excluded.  When  the  membranes  of  both  twins  have  burst) 
without  either  calf  having  become  engaged  in  the  pelvis,  it  becomes 
possible  for  the  fore  legs  of  the  one  and  the  hind  legs  of  the  other  to 
enter  at  one  time,  and  if  the  straining  is  very  violent  they  may  become 
firmly  impacted.  (PI.  XVIII,  fig.  1.)  The  condition  may  be  recog- 
nized by  the  fact  that  two  of  the  presenting  feet  have  their  fronts 
turned  forward,  while  the  two  others  have  their  fronts  turned  back- 
ward. If  the  four  feet  belonged  to  one  natural  calf,  they  would  all 
have  the  same  direction.  By  means  of  this  difference  in  direction  we 
can  easily  select  the  two  feet  of  one  calf,  place  running  nooses  upon 
them  just  above  the  hoofs  or  fetlocks,  and  have  an  assistant  drag  upon 
the  ropes  while  the  feet  of  the  other  calf  are  pushed  back.  In  select- 
ing one  of  the  twins  to  come  first  several  considerations  should  have 
weight.  The  one  that  is  most  advanced  in  the  passage  is,  of  course, 
the  first  choice.  Though  the  fore  feet  of  one  are  presented,  yet  if  the 
head  is  not  in  place  the  calf  presenting  by  its  hind  feet  is  to  be  chosen 
as  being  less  likely  to  obstruct.  Again,  if  for  either  calf  one  limb  only 
is  presented  and  the  other  missing,  the  one  presenting  two  feet  should 
be  selected  to  come  first.  As  soon  as  the  one  calf  has  been  advanced 
so  as  to  occupy  the  pelvis  the  other  will  be  crowded  back  so  that  it  will 
not  seriously  obstruct. 

FORE    LIMBS    CURVED     AT    THE    KNEE — LIMBS    SPRAWLING    OUTWARD. 

In  this  case  not  only  are  the  knees  somewhat  bent  in  a  curve,  but 
the  calf  has  a  position  as  if  it  rested  on  its  breastbone,  while  the  legs 
were  drawn  apart  and  directed  to  the  right  and  left.  The  shoulder 
blades  being  drawn  outward  from  the  chest  and  the  elbows  turned 
out,  the  muscles  extending  from  the  trunk  to  the  limb  are  unduly 
stretched  and  keep  the  knees  bent  and  the  feet  directed  outward  so 
as  to  press  on  the  sides  of  the  passages.  They  become  retarded  in 
their  progress  as  compared  with  the  more  rapidly  advancing  head, 
and  may  bruise  or  even  lacerate  the  walls  of  the  vagina.  It  would 
seem  easy  to  rectify  this  by  extending  the  legs,  but  the  already  tense 
and  overstretched  muscles  operate  against  extension  in  the  present 
position,  and  it  is  not  easy  to  rotate  the  limbs  so  as  to  apply  the  shoul- 
der flat  against  the  side  of  the  chest.  Under  these  circumstances  a 
repeller  (PI.  XX,  fig.  7)  may  be  planted  in  the  breast,  and  the  body 
of  the  calf  pushed  backward  into  the  womb,  when  the  limbs  will 
extend  easily  under  traction  and  the  presentation  becomes  at  once 
natural. 

FORE  LIMBS  CURVED  AT  KNEE — PLEXOR  TENDONS  SHORTENED. 

Iii  this  case  the  feet  will  press  against  the  floor  of  the  pelvis  though 
the  limb  has  no  outward  direction,  and  the  shoulder  meanwhile 
presses  against  the  roof  of  the  same  passage.     Unless  the  knees  can 


DISEASES    OF    THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  185 

be  sufficiently  straightened  by  force  a  knife  must  be  employed  to  cut 
across  the  cords  behind  the  knee,  when  the  limbs  may  be  straightened 
sufficiently. 

FORE  LIMBS  FLEXED  AT  KNEE — FLEXOR  TENDONS  UNSHORTENED. 

This  is  mostly  seen  in  cases  in  which  the  body  of  the  calf  is  in  the 
proper  position,  its  back  being  turned  up  toward  the  back  of  the  dam, 
and  in  cows  with  a  drooping  abdomen.  The  feet  have  been  supposed 
to  catch  beneath  the  brim  of  the  pelvis,  and  being  retarded  while  the 
head  advances  into  the  passages,  they  get  bent  at  the  knee  and  the 
nose  and  knees  present.  (PL  XVI,  fig.  2.)  The  calf,  however,  is  not 
an  inanimate  body  advanced  by  the  mere  contraction  of  the  womb, 
but  it" moves  its  limbs  freely  under  the  stimulus  of  the  unwonted  com- 
pression, and  in  moving  the  feet  as  they  are  advanced  they  slip  down 
over  the  pelvic  brim  and  finding  no  other  firm  support  they  bend  back 
until,  under  the  impulsion,  they  can  no  longer  straighten  out  again. 
The  knees,  therefore,  advance  with  the  neck  and  head,  but  the  feet 
remain  bent  back.  The  result  is  that  the  upper  part  of  the  limb  is 
also  flexed,  and  the  shoulder  blade  and  arm  bone  with  their  masses  of 
investing  muscles  are  carried  backward  and  applied  on  the  side  of  the 
chest,  greatly  increasing  the  bulk  of  this  already  bulky  part.  As  the 
elbow  is  carried  back  on  the  side  of  the  chest,  the  forearm  from  elbow 
to  knee  further  increases  the  superadded  masses  of  the  shoulder  and 
renders  it  difficult  or  impossible  to  drag  the  mass  through  the  pas- 
sages. When  the  fore  limbs  are  fully  extended,  on  the  contrary,  the 
shoulder  blade  is  extended  forward  on  the  smallest  and  narrowest  part 
of  the  chest,  the  arm  bone  with  its  muscles  is  in  great  part  applied 
against  the  side  of  the  back  part  of  the  neck,  and  the  forearm  is  con- 
tinued forward  by  the  side  of  the  head  so  that  the  nose  lies  between 
the  knees.  In  this  natural  presentation  the  presenting  body  of  the 
calf  forms  a  long  wedge  or  cone,  the  increase  of  which  is  slow  and 
gradual  until  it  reaches  the  middle  of  the  chest. 

The  difficulty  of  extending  the  fore  limbs  will  be  in  proportion  to 
the  advance  of  the  head  through  the  pelvic  cavity.  In  the  early  stage 
all  that  is  necessary  may  be  to  introduce  the  oiled  hand,  the  left  one 
for  the  right  leg  or  the  right  one  for  the  left,  and  passing  the  hand  from 
the  knee  on  to  the  foot  to  seize  the  foot  in  the  palm,  bend  it  forcibly  on 
the  fetlock,  and  lift  it  up  over  the  brim  of  the  pelvis,  the  knee  being, 
of  course,  pressed  upward  against  the  spine.  As  soon  as  the  foot  has 
been  raised  above  the  brim  of  the  pelvis  (into  the  passage)  the  limb 
can  be  straightened  out  with  the  greatest  ease. 

When,  however,  the  shoulders  are  already  engaging  in  the  pelvis 
the  feet  can  not  thus  be  lifted  up,  and  to  gain  room  a  repeller  (PI.  XX, 
fig.  7)  must  be  used  to  push  back  the  body  of  the  calf.  This  is  an 
instrument  with  a  long  straight  stem,  divided  at  the  end  into  two  short 
branches  (2  to  3  inches  long)  united  to  the  stem  by  hinges  so  that  they 


186  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

can  be  brought  into  a  line  with  the  stem  for  introduction  into  the  womb 
and  then  spread  to  be  implanted  in  the  breast.  In  the  absence  of  a 
repeller  a  smooth,  round  fork  handle  may  be  used,  the  prongs  having 
been  removed  from  the  other  end.  A  third  device  is  to  have  an  assist- 
ant strip  his  arm  to  the  shoulder  and,  standing  back  to  back  with  the 
operator,  to  introduce  his  right  arm  into  the  passages  along  with  the 
operator's  left  (or  vice  versa)  and  push  back  the  body  of  the  calf  while 
the  operator  seeks  to  bring  up  a  limb.  The  repeller  or  staff  having 
been  planted  safely  in  the  breast  of  the  calf,  an  assistant  pushes  upon 
it  in  a  direction  either  forward  or  slightly  upward,  so  as  not  only  to  fol- 
low the  natural  curve  of  the  body  and  favor  its  turning  in  the  line  of 
that  curve  within  the  womb,  but  also  to  carry  the  shoulders  upward 
toward  the  spine  and  secure  more  room  for  bringing  up  the  missing 
feet.  It  is  good  policy  to  first  put  a  halter  (PL  XXI,  figs.  4a  and  45)  on 
the  head  or  a  noose  (PL  XXI,  fig.  3)  on  the  lower  jaw  and  a  rope  round 
each  limb  at  the  knee,  so  as  to  provide  against  the  loss  of  any  of  these 
parts  when  the  body  is  pushed  back  into  the  womb.  This  offers  the 
further  advantage  that  by  dragging  upon  these  ropes  the  body  can  be 
advanced  in  the  passage  until  the  foot  is  reached,  when  the  rope  must 
be  slackened  and  the  repeller  used  to  secure  room  for  bringing  up  the 
foot.  If  the  cow  is  lying,  the  operator  should  first  secure  the  foot  on 
the  upper  side  and  then,  if  necessary,  turn  the  cow  on  its  opposite  side 
so  as  to  bring  up  the  other. 

In  using  the  instruments  some  precautions  are  demanded.  They 
must  be  invariably  warmed  before  they  are  introduced,  and  they  should 
be  smeared  with  lard  or  oil  to  make  them  pass  easily  and  without  fric- 
tion. The  assistant  who  is  pushing  on  the  instrument  must  be  warned 
to  stop  if  at  any  time  resistance  gives  way.  This  may  mean  the  turn- 
ing of  the  fetus,  in  which  case  the  object  of  repulsion  has  been  accom- 
plished; but  much  more  probably  it  implies  the  displacement  of  the 
instrument  from  the  body  of  the  fetus,  and  unguarded  pressure  may 
drive  it  through  the  walls  of  the  womb. 

When  the  calf  enters  the  passage  with  its  back  turned  down  toward 
the  belly  a^id  udder,  the  bending  back  of  the  fore  limbs  is  rare,  prob- 
ably because  the  feet  can  find  a  straighter  and  more  uniform  surface 
of  resistance  in  the  upper  wall  of  the  womb  and  the  backbone,  and 
do  not  slide  over  a  crest  into  an  open  cavity  as  they  do  over  the  brim 
of  the  pelvis.  The  weight  of  the  calf,  too,  gravitating  downward, 
leaves  more  room  for  the  straightening  of  the  bent  limbs,  so  that  the 
desired  relief  is  much  more  easily  secured.  The  manipulation  is  the 
same  in  principle,  only  one  must  add  the  precaution  of  a  steady  trac- 
tion on  the  feet  in  extraction,  lest,  owing  to  the  adverse  curvature  of 
the  fetus,  the  hoofs  be  suddenly  forced  through  the  roof  of  the  vagina, 
and,  perhaps,  the  rectum  as  well,  during  a  specially  powerful  labor 
pain. 

When  the  back  of  the  calf  is  turned  to  the  right  side  or  the  left  the 


DISEASES    OF   THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  187 

main  difference  is  that  in  addition  to  straightening  the  limbs  the  fetus 
must  be  rotated  to  turn  its  back  upward  before  extraction  is  attempted. 
In  this  case,  too,  it  may  be  difficult  to  bring  up  and  straighten  the 
lower  of  the  two  limbs  until  the  body  has  been  rotated  into  its  proper 
position.  Cord  the  upper  straightened  limb  and  head,  then  rotate  the 
body  and  search  for  the  second  missing  limb. 

FORE  LIMBS  BENT  BACK  FROM  THE  SHOULDERS. 

This  is  an  exaggeration  of  the  condition  just  named,  and  is  much 
more  difficult  to  remedy,  owing  to  the  distance  and  inaccessibility  of 
the  missing  limb.  It  usually  happens  with  the  proper  position  of  the 
body,  the  back  of  the  calf  being  turned  toward  the  back  of  the  mother. 
The  head  presents  in  the  passage  and  may  even  protrude  from  the 
vulva  during  an  active  labor  pain,  but  it  starts  back  like  a  spring 
when  the  straining  ceases.  Examination  with  the  oiled  hand  in  the 
intervals  between  the  pains  fails  to  detect  the  missing  limbs.  (PI. 
XVI,  fig.  1.)  If,  however,  the  hand  can  be  introduced  during  a  pain 
it  may  be  possible  to  reach  the  elbow  or  upper  part  of  the  forearm. 
In  the  absence  of  a  pain  a  halter  or  noose  on  the  head  may  be  used  to 
advance  the  whole  body  until  the  forearm  can  be  seized  just  below 
the  elbow.  This  being  firmly  held  and  the  head  or  body  pushed  back 
into  the  womb,  room  may  be  secured  for  bringing  up  the  knee.  The 
forearm  is  used  as  a  lever,  its  upper  part  being  strongly  forced  back 
while  its  lower  part  is  pressed  forward.  If  a  pain  supervenes  the 
hold  must  be  retained,  and  whatever  gain  has  been  made  must  be 
held  if  possible.  Then  during  the  next  pain,  by  pushing  back  the 
body  and  continuing  to  operate  the  forearm  as  a  lever,  a  still  farther 
advance  may  be  made.  As  the  knee  is  brought  up  in  this  way,  the 
hand  is  slid  down  from  the  elbow  toward  the  knee,  which  is  finally 
brought  up  over  the  brim  of  the  pelvis  and  into  the  passage.  It  is 
now  corded  at  the  knee,  and  the  subsequent  procedure  is  as  described 
in  the  last  article.  In  a  large,  roomy  cow  with  a  small  calf  the  latter 
may  pass  with  one  or  both  fore  legs  bent  back,  but  this  is  a  very 
exceptional  case,  and,  as  early  assistance  is  the  most  successful,  there 
should  never  be  delay  in  hope  of  such  a  result. 

ONE  FORE  LIMB  CROSSED  OVER  THE  BACK  OF  THE  NECK. 

This  is  a  rare  obstacle  to  calving,  but  one  that  is  not  altogether 
unknown.  The  hand  introduced  into  the  passage  feels  the  head  and 
one  forefoot,  and  farther  back  on  the  same  side  the  other  foot,  from 
which  the  limb  can  be  traced  obliquely  across  the  back  of  the  neck. 
(PL  XVI,  fig.  3.)  This  foot,  projecting  transversely,  is  liable  to  bruise 
or  tear  the  vagina.  If  still  deepty  engaged  in  the  vagina,  it  may  be 
seized  and  pushed  across  to  the  opposite  side  of  the  neck,  when  the 
presentation  will  be  natural. 


188  .      DISEASES  OF  CATTLE. 

HEAD  BENT  DOWN  BENEATH  THE  NECK. 

Iii  this  case,  with  drooping  belly  and  womb  allowing  the  brim  of  the 
pelvis  to  form  a  ridge,  the  advancing  calf,  having  unduly  depressed 
its  nose,  strikes  it  on  the  brim  of  the  pelvis,  and  the  neck  advancing, 
the  head  is  bent  back  and  the  poll  and  ears  either  enter  the  pelvis  or 
strike  against  its  brim.  The  two  forefeet  present,  but  they  make  no 
progress,  and  the  oiled  hand  introduced  can  detect  no  head  until  the 
poll  is  felt  at  the  entrance  of  the  pelvis,  between  the  forearms.  The 
two  forefeet  must  be  fixed  with  running  nooses  and  dragged  on  mod- 
erately while  the  oiled  hand  seeks  to  bring  up  the  head.  The  hand 
is  slid  down  over  the  forehead  and  brim  of  the  pelvis  until  the  nose  is 
reached,  when  it  is  passed  into  the  mouth,  the  muzzle  resting  in  the 
palm  of  the  hand.  The  legs  are  now  pushed  upon,  and  in  the  space 
thus  gained  the  muzzle  is  drawn  up  so  as  to  enter  it  into  the  pelvis. 
In  doing  this  the  operator  must  carefully  see  that  the  mouth  does  not 
drop  open  so  that  the  sharp  front  teeth  cut  through  the  floor  of  the 
womb.  Should  this  danger  threaten,  the  hand  should  be  made  to 
cover  the  lower  jaw  as  well.  The  lessened  security  of  the  hold  is 
more  than  compensated  by  the  safety  of  the  procedure.  With  the 
nose  in  the  pelvis,  it  has  only  to  be  drawn  forward  and  the  parturition 
is  natural. 

HEAD    BENT    DOWN    BENEATH    THE    BREAST. 

This  is  an  exaggerated  condition  of  that  last  named.  The  head, 
arrested  by  the  brim  of  the  pelvis  and  already  bent  back  on  the  neck, 
is  pressed  farther  with  each  successive  throe  until  it  has  passed 
between  the  fore  legs  and  lodges  beneath  the  breast  bone.  (PL  XVI, 
fig.  4.)  On  examination,  the  narrow  upper  border  of  the  neck  is  felt 
between  the  forearms,  but  as  a  rule  the  head  is  out  of  reach  below. 
Keeping  the  hand  on  the  neck  and  dragging  on  the  feet  by  the  aid  of 
ropes,  the  hand  may  come  to  touch  and  seize  the  ear,  or,  still  better, 
one  or  two  fingers  may  be  inserted  into  the  orbit  of  the  eye. 

Then,  in  pushing  back  upon  the  limbs,  with  or  without  the  aid  of  a 
repeller  applied  against  the  shoulder,  space  may  be  secured  to  draw 
the  head  into  a  vertical  position,  and  even  to  slip  down  the  hand  so 
as  to  seize  the  nose.  Should  it  prove  impossible  to  draw  up  the  head 
with  the  unassisted  fingers,  a  blunt  hook  (PI.  XXI,  fig.  G)  may  be 
inserted  into  the  orbit,  on  which  an  assistant  may  drag  while  another 
pushes  upon  the  limbs  or  repeller.  Meanwhile  the  operator  may 
secure  ;iu  opportunity  of  reaching  and  seizing  the  nose  or  of  passing 
a  blunt  hook  into  the  angle  of  the  mouth.  Success  will  be  better 
assured  if  two  hooks  (PI.  XXI,  fig.  7)  are  inserted  in  the  two  orbits, 
so  as  to  draw  up  the  head  more  evenly.  In  other  cases  a  noose  may 
be  plaeed  on  the  upper  jaw,  or  even  around  both  jaws,  and  traction 
made  upon  this  and  on  the  hooks  in  the  orbits  while  the  legs  are 
pushed  back,  and  while  the  operator  pushes  back  on  the  poll  or  fore- 


DISEASES    OF    THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  189 

head.  In  still  more  difficult  cases,  in  which  even  the  orbits  can  not 
be  reached,  a  sharp  hook  on  the  end  of  a  straight  iron  rod  (PL  XX, 
fig.  2)  may  be  inserted  over  the  lower  jaw  as  far  forward  as  it  can  be 
reached,  and  by  dragging  upon  this  while  the  body  is  pushed  back 
the  head  will  be  brought  up  sufficiently  to  allow  the  operator  to  reach 
the  orbit  or  nose.  If  even  the  jaw  can  not  be  reached,  the  hook  may 
be  inserted  in  the  neck  as  near  to  the  head  as  possible  and  traction 
employed  so  as  to  bring  the  head  within  reach. 

In  all  such  cases  the  cow's  head  should  be  turned  downhill,  and  in 
case  of  special  difficulty  she  should  be  turned  on  her  back  and  held 
there  until  the  head  is  secured.  In  old  standing  cases,  with  the  womb 
closely  clasping  the  body  of  the  calf,  relaxation  may  be  sought  by  the 
use  of  chloroform  or  a  full  dose  of  chloral  hydrate — 2  ounces;  and  the 
free  injection  of  warm  water  into  the  womb  will  also  be  useful. 

HEAD  TURNED  BACK  ON  THE  SHOULDER. 

With  a  natural  anterior  presentation  this  maj"  happen  because  of 
the  imperfect  dilation  of  the  mouth  of  the  womb.  Under  the  throes 
of  the  mother  the  fore  feet  pass  through  the  narrow  opening  into  the 
vagina,  while  the  nose,  striking  against  it  and  unable  to  enter,  is 
pressed  backward  into  the  womb  and  turns  aside  on  the  right  or  left 
shoulder.  The  broad  muzzle  of  the  calf  forms  an  especial  obstacle  to 
entrance  and  favors  this  deviation  of  the  head.  The  worst  form  of 
this  deviation  is  the  old  standing  one  with  shortening  of  the  muscles 
of  the  neck  on  that  side,  and  oftentimes  distortion  of  the  face  and 
neck  bones,  as  noticed  under  "Monstrosities"  (p.  179). 

When  the  head  is  bent  on  the  shoulder  the  feet  appear  in  the  natural 
way,  but  no  progress  is  made,  and  examination  reveals  the  absence  of 
the  nose  from  between  the  knees,  and  farther  back,  from  above  and 
between  the  elbows,  a  smooth  rounded  mass  is  felt  extending  to  the 
right  or  left,  which  further  examination  will  identify  with  the  neck. 
Following  the  upper  border  of  this  the  hand  reaches  the  crown  of  the 
head  with  the  ears,  and  still  farther  the  eyes,  or  even  in  a  small  calf 
the  nose. 

As  the  bulky  head  of  the  calf  can  not  be  extracted  along  with  the 
shoulders,  it  becomes  necessary  to  push  back  the  body  of  the  fetus  and 
straighten  out  the  head  and  neck.  The  cow  should  be  laid  with  its 
head  downhill  and  with  that  side  up  toward  which  the  head  is  turned. 
If  the  throes  are  very  violent,  or  the  womb  strongty  contracted  on  the 
calf,  it  may  be  best  to  seek  relaxation  by  giving  chloroform,  or  2  ounces 
of  laudanum,  or  2  ounces  chloral  hydrate.  If  the  calf  or  the  passages 
are  dry,  sweet  oil  may  be  injected,  or  the  whole  may  be  liberally 
smeared  with  fresh  lard.  In  the  absence  of  these,  warm  water  ren- 
dered slightly  slippery  by  Castile  soap  may  be  injected  into  the  womb 
in  quantity.  Ropes  with  running  nooses  are  placed  on  the  presenting 
feet  and  the  oiled  hand  introduced  to  find  the  head.     If,  now,  the  fin- 


190  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

gers  can  be  passed  inside  the  lower  jawbone,  and  drag  the  head  upward 
and  toward  the  passage,  it  unwinds  the  spiral  turn  given  to  the  neck 
in  bending  back,  and  greatly  improves  the  chances  of  bringing  forward 
the  nose.  If,  at  first,  or  if  now,  the  lower  jaw  can  be  reached,  a  noose 
should  be  placed  around  it  behind  the  incisor  teeth  and  traction  made 
upon  this,  so  that  the  head  may  continue  to  be  turned,  forehead  up, 
toward  the  spine  and  jaws  down,  thereby  continuing  to  undo  the 
screw-like  curve  of  the  neck.  If,  on  the  contrary,  the  nose  is  dragged 
upon  by  a  cord  passing  over  the  upper  border  of  the  neck,  the  screw- 
like twist  is  increased  and  the  resistance  of  the  bones  and  joints  of  the 
neck  prevents  any  straightening  of  the  head.  As  soon  as  the  lower 
jaw  has  been  seized  by  the  hand  or  noose,  a  repeller  (PI.  XX,  fig.  7), 
planted  on  the  inside  of  the  elbow  or  shoulder  most  distant  from  the 
head,  should  be  used  to  push  back  the  body  and  turn  it  in  the  womb, 
so  that  the  head  may  be  brought  nearer  to  the  outlet.  In  this  way 
the  head  can  usually  be  brought  into  position  and  the  further  course 
of  delivery  will  be  natural. 

But  sometimes  the  lower  jaw  can  not  be  reached  with  the  hand,  and 
then  the  orbit  or,  less  desirably,  the  ear,  may  be  availed  of.  The  ear 
niay  be  pulled  by  the  hand,  and  by  the  aid  of  the  repeller  on  the  other 
shoulder  the  calf  may  be  so  turned  that  the  lower  jaw  may  be  reached 
and  availed  of.  Better  still,  a  clamp  (PL  XVIII,  figs.  3  and  4)  is  firmly 
fixed  on  the  ear  and  pulled  by  a  rope,  while  the  repeller  is  used  on  the 
opposite  shoulder,  and  the  hand  of  the  operator  pulls  on  the .  lower 
border  of  the  neck  and  lifts  it  toward  the  other  side.  To  pull  on  the 
upper  border  of  the  neck  is  to  increase  the  spiral  twist,  while  to  raise 
the  lower  border  is  to  undo  it.  If  the  outer  orbit  can  be  reached,  the 
fingers  may  be  inserted  into  it  so  as  to  employ  traction,  or  a  blunt  fin- 
ger hook  (PL  XXI,  fig.  8)  may  be  used,  or  a  hook  with  a  rope  attached, 
or,  finally,  a  hook  on  the  end  of  a  long  staff.  Then,  with  the  assistance 
of  the  repeller,  the  body  may  be  so  turned  and  the  head  advanced  that 
the  lower  jaw  may  be  reached  and  availed  of. 

In  case  not  even  the  ears  nor  orbit  can  be  reached,  a  cord  should  be 
passed  around  the  neck  of  the  calf  as  near  to  the  head  as  possible, 
and  traction  made  upon  that  while  the  opposite  shoulder  is  pushed 
toward  the  opposite  side  by  the  repeller,  assisted  by  the  hand  drag- 
ging on  the  lower  border  of  the  neck.  To  aid  the  hand  in  passing  a 
rope  round  the  neck  a  cord  carrier  (PL  XXI,  fig.  5)  is  in  use.  It  fails, 
however,  to  help  us  in  the  most  difficult  part  of  the  operation — the 
passing  of  the  cord  down  on  the  deep  or  farthest  side  of  the  neck — and 
to  remedy  this  I  have  devised  a  cord  carrier,  furnished  with  a  ring 
at  the  end,  a  joint  G  or  8  inches  from  the  end,  and  another  ring  on  the 
handle,  close  to  this  joint.  (PL  XX,  fig.  4. )  A  cord  is  passed  through 
both  rings  and  a  knot  tied  on  its  end,  just  back  of  the  terminal  ring. 
The  instrument,  straightened  out,  is  inserted  until  it  reaches  just 
beyond  the  upper  border  of  the  neck,  when,  by  dragging  on  the  cord 


DISEASES    OF   THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  191 

the  movable  segment  is  bent  down  on  the  farther  side  of  the  neck, 
and  is  pushed  on  until  it  can  be  felt  at  its  lower  border.  The  hand 
now  seizes  the  knotted  end  of  the  cord  beneath  the  lower  border  of 
the  neck  and  pulls  it  through  while  the  carrier  is  withdrawn,  the  cord 
sliding  through  its  rings.  The  cord,  pushed  up  as  near  to  the  head  as 
possible,  is  furnished  with  a  running  noose  by  tying  the  knotted  end 
round  the  other,  or,  better,  the  two  ends  are  twisted  around  each  other 
so  as  to  give  a  firm  hold  on  the  neck  without  dangerously  compress- 
ing the  blood  vessels.  By  pushing  on  the  opposite,  shoulder  with 
the  repeller,  and  assisting  with  the  hand  on  shoulder,  breastbone,  or 
lower  border  of  the  neck,  such  a  change  of  position  will  be  secured 
as  will  speedily  bring  the  head  within  reach.  Afterwards  proceed  as 
described  above. 

These  cases  are  always  trying,  but  it  is  very  rarely  necessary  to 
resort  to  embryotomy.  When  absolutely  required,  first  remove  one 
fore  limb,  and  then,  if  still  unsuccessful,  the  other,  after  which  the 
head  can  easily  be  secured.     (See  "Embryotomy,"  p.  198.) 

HEAD   TURNED    UPWARD    AND    BACKWARD 

In  this  case  the  face  rests  upon  the  spine ;  the  fore  feet  appear  alone 
in  the  passage,  but  fail  to  advance,  and  on  examination  the  rounded 
inferior  border  of  the  neck  can  be  felt,  extending  upward  and  back- 
ward beneath  the  spine  of  the  dam,  and  if  the  calf  is  not  too  large  the 
hand  may  reach  the  lower  jaw  or  even  the  muzzle.  (PI.  XVI,  fig.  5.) 
A  repeller  is  planted  in  the  breast  and  the  body  of  the  calf  pushed 
backward  and  downward  so  as  to  make  room  and  bring  the  head 
nearer  to  the  passage;  or  in  some  cases  the  body  may  be  pushed 
back  sufficiently  by  the  use  of  the  fore  limbs  alone.  Meanwhile  the 
head  is  seized  by  the  ear  or  the  eye  socket,  or,  if  it  can  be  reached, 
by  the  lower  jaw,  and  pulled  downward  into  position  as  space  is 
secured  for  it.  If  the  hand  alone  is  insufficient,  the  blunt  hooks  may 
be  inserted  in  the  orbits  or  in  the  angle  of  the  mouth,  or  a  noose  may 
be  placed  on  the  lower  jaw,  and  by  traction  the  head  will  be  easily 
advanced.  In  case  of  a  large  fetus,  the  head  of  which  is  beyond 
reach,  even  when  traction  is  made  on  the  limbs,  a  rope  may  be  passed 
around  the  neck  and  pulled,  while  the  breastbone  is  pressed  down- 
ward and  backward  by  the  repeller,  and  soon  the  change  of  position 
will  bring  the  orbit  or  lower  jaw  within  reach.  With  the  above  posi- 
tion the  standing  position  is  most  favorable  for  success.  But  if  the 
calf  is  placed  with  its  back  down  toward  the  udder,  and  if  the  head 
is  bent  down  under  the  brim  of  the  pelvis,  the  best  position  for  the 
cow  is  on  her  back,  with  her  head  downhill. 

In  neglected  cases,  with  death  and  putrefaction  of  the  fetus  and 
dryness  of  the  passages,  it  may  be  necessary  to  extract  in  pieces.  (See 
"Embryotomy,"  p.  198.) 


192  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

OUTWARD    DIRECTION    OF    THE    STIFLES — ABDUCTION    OF   HIND    LIMBS. 

As  an  obstacle  to  parturition,  this  is  rare  in  cows.  It  is  most  likely 
to  take  place  in  cows  with  narrow  hip  bones,  and  when  the  service 
lias  been  made  by  a  bull  having  great  breadth  across  the  quarter. 
The  calf,  taking  after  the  sire,  presents  an  obstacle  to  calving  in  the 
breadth  of  its  quarters,  and  if  at  the  same  time  the  toes  and  stifles 
are  turned  excessively  outward  and  the  hocks  inward  the  combined 
breadth  of  the  hip  bones  above  and  the  stifles  below  may  be  so  great 
that  the  pelvis  will  not  easily  admit  them.  After  the  fore  feet,  head, 
and  shoulders  have  all  passed  out  through  the  vulva,  further  progress 
suddenly  and  unaccountably  ceases,  and  some  dragging  on  the  parts 
already  delivered  does  not  serve  to  bring  away  the  hind  parts.  The 
oiled  hand  introduced  along  the  side  of  the  calf  will  discover  the 
obstacle  in  the  stifle  joints  turned  directly  outward  and  projecting 
on  each  side  beyond  the  bones  which  circumscribe  laterally  the  front 
entrance  of  the  pelvis.  The  evident  need  is  to  turn  the  stifles  inward, 
and  this  may  be  attempted  by  the  hand  introduced  by  the  side  of  the 
calf,  which  is  meanwhile  rotated  gently  on  its  own  axis  to  favor  the 
change  of  position.  To  correct  the  deviation  of  the  hind  limb  is,  how- 
ever, very  difficult,  as  the  limbs  themselves  are  out  of  reach  and  can 
not  be  used  as  levers  to  assist.  If  nothing  can  be  done  by  pushing 
back  the  body  of  the  calf  and  rotating  it  and  by  pressure  by  the  hand 
in  the  passages,  the  only  resort  appears  to  be  to  skin  the  calf  from 
the  shoulder  back,  cut  it  in  two  as  far  back  as  can  be  reached,  then 
push  the  buttocks  well  forward  into  the  womb,  bring  up  the  hind 
feet,  and  so  deliver. 

THE   HIND   LIMBS   EXCESSIVELY   BENT  ON   THE   BODY  AND   ENGAGED  IN 

THE   PELVIS. 

In  this  case  the  presentation  is  apparently  a  normal  anterior  one; 
fore  limbs  and  head  advance  naturally  and  the  parturition  proceeds 
until  half  the  chest  has  passed  through  the  external  passages,  when 
suddenly  progress  ceases  and  no  force  will  secure  farther  advance. 
An  examination  with  oiled  hand  detects  the  presence  in  the  passages 
of  the  hind  feet  and  usually  the  hind  legs  up  to  above  the  hocks. 
(PI.  XVII,  fig.  1.) 

The  indications  for  treatment  are  to  return  the  hind  limbs  into  the 
body  of  the  womb.  If  they  have  not  advanced  too  far  into  the  pelvis, 
this  may  be  done  as  follows:  A  rope  with  running  noose  is  passed  over 
each  hind  foot  and  drawn  tight  around  the  lower  part  of  the  hock; 
the  ropes  are  then  passed  through  the  two  rings  in  the  small  end  of 
the  rotating  instrument  (PI.  XX,  fig.  5)  which  is  slid  into  the  passages 
until  it  reaches  the  hocks,  when  the  ropes,  drawn  tight,  are  tied  round 
the  handle  of  the  instrument.  Then  in  the  intervals  between  the 
pains  the  hocks  are  pushed  forcibly  back  into  the  womb.     If  by  this 


Diseases  of  Cattle. 


PLATE  XVI. 


Diseases  of  Cattle. 


PLATE   XVII. 


Diseases  of  Cattle. 


PLATE  XVIII. 


Abnormal  Position  of  Calf  in  Utero. 
surgical  Instruments  and  sutures. 


Diseases  of  Cattle. 


PLATE  XIX. 


%. 


%. 


DISEASES    OF   THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  193 

means  flexion  can  be  effected  in  hocks  and  stifles,  success  will  follow; 
the  hind  feet  will  pass  into  the  womb  and  clear  of  the  brim  of  the 
pelvis,  and  the  body  may  now  be  advanced  without  hindrance,  the 
hind  limbs  falling  into  place  when  the  hip  joints  are  extended.  At 
the  same  time  the  pressure  upon  hind  limbs  must  not  be  relaxed  until 
the  buttocks  are  engaged  in  the  pelvis,  as  otherwise  the  feet  may 
again  get  over  the  brim  and  arrest  the  progress  of  delivery. 

When  the  hind  limbs  are  already  so  jammed  into  the  pelvis  that  it 
is  impossible  to  return  them,  the  calf  must  be  sacrificed  to  save  the 
mother.  Cords  with  running  nooses  are  first  put  on  the  two  hind  feet. 
The  body  must  be  skinned  from  the  shoulders  back  as  far  as  can  be 
reached,  and  is  to  be  then  cut  in  two,  if  possible,  back  of  the  last  rib. 
Tha  remainder  of  the  trunk  is  now  pushed  back  into  the  bodjr  of  the 
womb,  and  by  traction  upon  the  cords  the  hind  feet  are  brought  up 
into  the  passages,  and  the  extraction  will  be  comparatively  easy. 

HIND  PRESENTATION  WITH  ONE  OR  BOTH  LEGS  BENT  AT  THE  HOCK. 

After  the  bursting  of  the  water  bags,  though  labor  pains  continue, 
no  part  of  the  fetus  appears  at  the  vulva  unless  it  be  the  end  of  the 
tail.  On  examination  the  buttocks  are  felt  wedged  against  the  spine 
at  the  entrance  of  the  pelvis,  and  beneath  them  the  bent  hock  joints 
resting  on  the  brim  of  the  pelvis  below.  (PI.  XVII,  fig.  3.)  The  calf 
had  been  caught  by  the  labor  pains  while  the  limb  was  bent  beneath 
it,  and  has  been  jammed  into  or  against  the  rim  of  the  pelvis  so  that 
extension  of  the  limb  became  impossible.  With  the  thigh  bent  on  the 
flank,  the  leg  on  the  thigh,  and  the  shank  on  the  leg,  and  all  at  once 
wedged  into  the  passage,  delivery  is  practically  impossible. 

The  obvious  remedy  is  to  push  the  croup  upward  and  forward  and 
extend  the  hind  legs,  and  in  the  early  stages  this  can  usually  be  accom- 
plished in  the  cow.  A  repeller  (PI.  XX,  fig.  7)  is  planted  across  the 
thighs  and  pointed  upward  toward  the  spine  of  the  cow,  and  pushed 
forcibly  in  this  direction  during  the  intervals  between  labor  pains. 
Meanwhile  the  oiled  hand  seizes  the  shank  just  below  the  hock  and 
uses  it  as  a  lever,  pushing  back  the  body  and  drawing  forward  the 
foot,  thus  effectually  seconding  the  action  of  the  repeller.  Soon  a 
distinct  gain  is  manifest,  and  as  soon  as  the  foot  can  be  reached  it  is 
bent  back  strongly  at  the  fetlock,  held  in  the  palm  of  the  hand  and 
pulled  up,  while  the  repeller,  pressing  on  the  buttocks,  assists  to  make 
room  for  it.  In  this  way  the  foot  may  be  brought  safely  and  easily 
over  the  brim  of  the  pelvis  without  any  risk  of  laceration  of  the  womb 
oy  the  foot.  After  the  foot  has  been  lifted  over  the  brim,  the  whole 
limb  can  be  promptly  and  easily  extended.  In  cases  presenting 
special  difficulty  in  raising  the  foot  over  the  brim,  help  may  be  had 
by  traction  on  a  rope  passed  around  in  front  of  the  hock,  and  later 
still  by  a  rope  with  a  noose   fastened  to  the  pastern.     In  the  worst 

61386—08 13 


194  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

cases,  with  the  buttocks  and  hocks  wedged  deeply  into  the  passages, 
it  may  prove  difficult  or  impossible  to  push  the  buttocks  back  into  the 
abdomen,  and  in  such  a  case  the  extension  of  the  hind  limb  is  practi- 
cally impossible  without  mutilation.  In  some  roomy  cows  a  calf  may 
be  dragged  through  the  passages  by  ropes  attached  to  the  bent  hocks, 
but  even  when  this  is  possible  there  is  great  risk  of  laceration  of  the 
floor  of  the  vagina  by  the  feet.  The  next  resort  is  to  cut  the  ham- 
string just  above  the  point  of  the  hock  and  the  tendon  on  the  front  of 
the  limb  (flexor  metatarsi)  just  above  the  hock,  and  even  the  sinews 
behind  the  shank  bone  just  below  the  hock.  This  allows  the  stifle 
and  hock  to  move  independently  of  each  other,  the  one  undergoing 
extension  without  entailing  the  extension  of  the  other;  it  also  allows 
both  joints  to  flex  completely,  so  that  the  impacted  mass  can  pass 
through  a  narrower  channel.  If  now,  by  dragging  on  the  hocks  and 
operating  with  the  repeller  on  the  buttocks,  the  latter  can  be  tilted 
f  01  ward  sufficiently  to  allow  of  the  extension  of  the  stifle,  the  jam  will 
be  at  once  overcome,  and  the  calf  may  be  extracted  with  the  hock 
bent,  but  the  stifle  extended.  If  even  this  can  not  be  accomplished, 
it  may  now  be  possible  to  extract  the  whole  mass  with  both  hocks  and 
stifles  fully  bent.  To  attempt  this,  traction  may  be  made  on  the  rope 
around  the  hocks  and  on  a  sharp  hook  (PI.  XX,  fig.  2)  passed  forward 
between  the  thighs  and  hooked  on  to  the  brim  of  the  pelvis.  Every- 
thing else  failing,  the  offending  limb  or  limbs  may  be  cut  off  at  the 
hip  joint  and  extracted,  after  which  extraction  may  proceed  by  drag- 
ging on  the  remaining  limb,  or  by  hooks  on  the  hip  bones.  Very  little 
is  to  be  gained  by  cutting  off  the  limb  at  the  hock,  and  the  stifle  is 
less  accessible  than  the  hip,  and  amputation  at  the  stifle  gives  much 
poorer  results. 

HIND   LIMBS   BENT   FORWARD  FROM  THE   HIP — BREECH  PRESENTATION. 

This  is  an  exaggeration  of  the  condition  last  described,  only  the 
hocks  and  stifles  are  fully  extended  and  the  whole  limb  carried  for- 
ward beneath  the  belly.  (PL  XVII,  fig.  2.)  The  water  bags  appear 
and  burst,  but  nothing  presents  unless  it  may  be  the  tail.  Examina- 
tion in  this  case  detects  the  outline  of  the  buttocks,  with  the  tail  and 
anus  at  its  upper  part. 

The  remedy,  as  in  the  case  last  described,  consists  in  pushing  the 
buttock  upward  and  forward  with  a  repeller,  the  cow  being  kept  stand- 
ing and  headed  down  hill  until  the  thigh  bone  can  be  reached  and 
used  as  a  lever.  Its  upper  end  is  pushed  forward  and  its  lower  end 
raised  until,  the  joints  becoming  fully  flexed,  the  point  of  the  hock 
can  be  raised  above  the  brim  of  the  pelvis.  If  necessary  a  noose  may 
be  passed  around  the  leg  as  far  down  toward  the  hock  as  possible  and 
pulled  on  forcibly,  while  the  hand  presses  forward  strongly  on  the 
back  of  the  leer  above.     When  both  hocks  have  been  lodged  above  the 


DISEASES    OF   THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  195 

brim  of  the  pelvis  the  further  procedure  is  as  described  uuder  the  last 
heading. 

If,  however,  the  case  is  advanced  and  the  buttocks  wedged  firmly 
into  the  passages,  it  may  be  impossible  to  safely  push  the  fetus  back 
into  the  womb,  and  the  calf  must  either  be  dragged  through  the  pas- 
sage as  it  is  or  the  limbs  or  the  pelvis  must  be  cut  off.  To  success- 
fully extract  with  a  breech  presentation  the  cow  must  be  large  and 
roomy  and  the  calf  not  too  large.  The  first  step  in  this  case  is  to 
separate  the  pelvic  bones  on  the  two  sides  by  cutting  from  before 
backward,  exactly  in  the  median  line  below  and  where  the  thighs 
come  together  above.  This  may  be  done  with  a  strong  embryotomy 
knife,  but  is  most  easily  accomplished  with  the  long  embryotome. 
(PI.  XX,  fig.  3.)  The  form  which  I  have  designed  (PI.  XX,  fig.  1), 
with  a  short  cutting  branch  jointed  to  the  main  stem,  is  to  be  pre- 
ferred, as  the  short  cutting  piece  may  be  folded  on  the  main  stem  so 
that  its  cutting  edge  will  be  covered,  and  it  can  be  introduced  and 
extracted  without  danger.  This  is  pushed  forward  beneath  the  calf's 
belly,  and  the  cutting  arm  opened  and  inserted  in  front  of  the  brim 
of  the  pelvis  and  pulled  forciby  back  through  the  whole  length  of  the 
pelvic  bones.  The  divided  edges  are  now  made  to  overlap  each  other 
and  the  breadth  of  the  haunch  is  materially  reduced.  One  end  of  the 
cord  may  then  be  passed  forward  by  means  of  a  cord  carrier  (PL  XXI, 
fig.  5)  on  the  inner  side  of  one  thigh  until  it  can  be  seized  at  the  stifle 
by  the  hand  passed  forward  on  the  outer  side  of  that  thigh.  This  end 
is  now  pulled  back  through  the  vagina,  and  the  other  end  passed 
through  the  cord  carrier  and  passed  forward  on  the  inner  side  of  the 
other  thigh  until  it  can  be  seized  at  the  stifle  by  the  hand  passed  for- 
ward outside  that  thigh.  This  end  is  drawn  back  through  the  vagina 
like  the  first,  and  is  tied  around  the  other  so  as  to  form  a  running 
noose.  The  rope  is  now  drawn  through  the  ring  until  it  forms  a  tight 
loop,  encircling  the  belly  just  in  front  of  the  hind  limbs.  On  this 
strong  traction  can  be  made  without  interfering  with  the  full  flexion 
of  the  limbs  on  the  body,  and  if  the  case  is  a  suitable  one,  and  the 
body  of  the  fetus  and  the  passages  are  both  well  lubricated  with  oil  or 
lard,  a  successful  parturition  maybe  accomplished.  A  less  desirable 
method  is  to  put  a  rope  around  one  thigh  or  a  rope  around  each  and 
drag  upon  these,  but  manifestly  the  strain  is  not  so  directly  on  the 
spine,  and  the  limbs  may  be  somewhat  hampered  in  flexion. 

This  method  being  inapplicable,  the  next  resort  is  to  cut  off  one  or 
both  hind  limbs  at  the  hip  joint.  Free  incisions  are  made  on  the  side 
of  the  haunch  so  as  to  expose  the  hip  joint,  and  the  muscles  are  cut  away 
from  the  head  of  the  thigh  bone  down  to  its  narrow  neck,  around  which 
a  rope  is  passed  and  firmly  fixed  with  a  running  noose.  The  joint  is 
now  cut  into  all  around,  and  while  traction  is  made  on  the  cord  the 
knife  is  inserted  into  the  inner  side  of  the  joint  and  the  round  ligament 
severed.     The  cord  may  now  be  dragged  upon  forcibly,  and  the  muscles 


196  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

and  other  parts  cut  through  as  they  are  drawn  tense,  until  finally  the 
whole  member  has  been  extracted.  Traction  on  the  rope  round  the 
other  thigh  will  now  suffice  to  extract,  in  the  majority  of  cases,  but  if  it 
should  fail  the  other  limb  may  be  cut  off  in  the  same  manner,  and  then 
hooks  inserted  in  front  of  the  brim  of  the  pelvis  or  in  the  openings  in 
the  bones  of  its  floor  (obturator  foramina)  will  give  sufficient  purchase 
for  extraction.  Another  method  is  to  insert  a  knife  between  the  bone 
of  the  rump  (sacrum)  and  the  hip  bone  and  sever  their  connections; 
then  cut  through  the  joint  (symphysis)  between  the  two  hip  bones  in  the 
median  line  of  the  floor  of  the  pelvis,  and  then  with  a  hook  in  the  open- 
ing on  the  pelvic  bones  (obturator  foramen)  to  drag  upon  the  limb  and 
cut  the  tense  soft  parts  until  the  limb  is  freed  and  extracted. 

PRESENTATION    OF    THE    BACK. 

In  this  presentation  straining  may  be  active,  but  after  the  rupture  of 
the  water  bags  no  progress  is  made,  and  the  hand  introduced  will 
recognize  the  back  with  its  row  of  spinous  processes  and  the  springing 
ribs  at  each  side  pressed  against  the  entrance  to  the  pelvis.  (PL  XVII, 
fig.  6.)  The  presence  or  absence  of  the  ribs  will  show  whether  it  is 
the  region  of  the  chest  or  the  loins.  By  feeling  along  the  line  of  spines 
until  the  ribs  are  met  with  we  shall  learn  that  the  head  lies  in  that 
direction.  If,  on  the  contrary,  we  follow  the  ribs  until  they  disappear, 
and  a  blank  space  is  succeeded  by  hip  bones,  it  shows  that  we  are 
approaching  the  tail.  The  head  may  be  turned  upward,  downward, 
to  the  right  side,  or  to  the  left. 

The  object  must  be  to  turn  the  fetus  so  that  one  extremity  or  the 
other  can  enter  the  passage,  and  the  choice  of  which  end  to  bring  for- 
ward will  depend  on  various  considerations.  If  one  end  is  much  nearer 
the  outlet  than  the  other,  that  would  natural  y  be  selected  for  extrac- 
tion, but  if  both  ends  are  equidistant  the  choice  would  fall  on  the  hind 
end,  as  having  only  the  two  limbs  to  deal  with,  without  any  risk  of 
complication  from  the  head.  When  the  head  is  turned  upward  and 
forward  it  will  usually  be  preferable  to  bring  up  the  hind  limb,  since, 
owing  to  the  drooping  of  the  womb  into  the  abdomen,  rotation  of  the 
fetus  will  usually  be  easier  in  that  direction,  and  if  successful  the 
resulting  position  will  be  a  natural  posterior  presentation,  with  the 
back  of  the  calf  turned  toward  the  rump  of  the  cow.  Similarly  with 
the  croup  turned  upward  and  forward,  that  should  be  pushed  on  for- 
ward, and  if  the  fore  feet  and  head  can  be  secured  it  will  be  a  natural 
anterior  presentation,  with  the  back  of  the  calf  turned  upward  toward 
the  rump  of  the  cow. 

The  womb  should  be  injected  with  warm  water  or  oil,  and  the  turn- 
ing of  the  calf  will  demand  the  combined  action  of  the  repeller  and  the 
hand,  but  in  all  such  cases  the  operator  has  an  advantage  that  the 
body  of  the  fetus  is  wholly  within  the  body  of  the  womb,  and  there- 
fore movable  with   comparative  ease.     No  part  is  wedged  into  the 


DISEASES    OF    THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  197 

pelvic  passages  as  a  complication.  The  general  principles  are  the 
same  as  in  faulty  presentation  fore  and  hind,  and  no  time  should  be 
lost  in  making  the  manipulations  necessary  to  bring  the  feet  into  the 
pelvis,  lest  they  get  in  bent  or  otherwise  displaced  and  add  unneces- 
sary complications. 

With  a  transverse  direction  of  the  calf,  the  head  being  turned  to 
one  side,  the  pressure  must  be  directed  laterally,  so  that  the  body  will 
glide  around  on  one  side  of  the  womb,  and  the  extremities  when 
reached  must  be  promptly  seized  and  brought  into  the  passages. 
Sometimes  a  fortunate  struggle  of  a  live  fetus  will  greatly  aid  in  rec- 
tifying the  position. 

BREAST  AND  ABDOMEN  PRESENTED — ALL  FOUR  FEET  IN  THE  PASSAGES. 

In  this  form  the  calf  lies  across  the  womb  with  its  roached-back 
turned  forward  and  its  belly  toward  the  pelvis.  All  four  feet  may  be 
extended  and  engaged  in  the  passages,  or  one  or  more  may  be  bent 
on  themselves  so  as  to  lie  in  front  of  the  pelvis.  The  head,  too,  may 
usually  be  felt  on  the  right  side  or  the  left,  and  if  detected  it  serves 
to  identify  the  exact  position  of  the  fetus.  The  position  may  further 
be  decided  upon  by  examination  of  the  feet  and  limbs.  With  the 
limbs  extended  the  front  of  the  hoofs  and  the  convex  aspect  of  the 
bent  pasterns  and  fetlocks  will  look  toward  that  flank  in  which  lie  the 
head  and  shoulders.  On  examination  still  higher  the  smooth,  even 
outline  of  the  knee  and  its  bend,  looking  toward  the  hind  parts,  char- 
acterize the  fore  limb,  while  the  sharp  prominence  of  the  point  of  the 
hock  and  the  bend  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  joint,  looking  toward 
the  head,  indicate  the  hind  limb.     (PI.  XVII,  fig.  5.) 

The  remedy  for  this  condition  is  to  be  sought  in  repelling  into  the 
womb  those  limbs  that  are  least  eligible  for  extraction,  and  bringing 
into  the  passages  the  most  eligible  extremities.  The  most  eligible  will 
usually  be  those  which  project  farthest  into  the  passages,  indicating 
the  nearer  proximity  of  that  end  of  the  calf.  An  exception  may, 
however,  be  made  in  favor  of  that  extremity  which  will  give  the  most 
natural  presentation.  Thus  if,  owing  to  obliquity  in  the  position  of 
the  fetus,  the  hind  extremities  promised  a  presentation  with  the  back 
of  the  fetus  turned  down  toward  the  udder,  and  the  anterior  extremi- 
ties one  with  the  back  turned  up  toward  the  spine,  the  latter  should 
be  selected.  Again,  if  the  choice  for  the  two  extremities  is  evenly 
balanced,  the  hind  may  be  chosen  as  offering  less  risk  of  complication, 
there  being  no  head  to  get  displaced. 

Treatment. — The  first  step  in  the  treatment  is  to  place  a  running 
noose  on  each  of  the  four  feet,  marking  those  of  the  fore  limbs  to  dis- 
tinguish them  from  those  of  the  hind.  In  case  it  is  proposed  to  bring 
the  anterior  extremities  into  the  passage,  a  noose  should  also  be  placed 
on  the  lower  jaw.  Then  run  the  ropes  attached  to  the  two  feet  that  are 
to  be  pushed  back  through  the  ring  of  a  cord  carrier  (PI.  XXI,  fig.  5), 
passing  the  rings  down  to  the  feet,  and  by  the  aid  of  the  carrier  push 


198  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

them  well  back  into  the  womb  and  hold  them  there.  Meanwhile  drag 
upon  the  ropes  attached  to  the  two  other  feet  so  as  to  bring  them  into 
the  passage  (or  in  case  of  the  anterior  extremity  on  the  two  foot  ropes 
and  the  head  one).  The  other  feet  must  be  pushed  back  into  the 
womb  until  the  body  of  the  calf  is  fully  engaged  in  the  passages. 
After  this  they  can  no  longer  find  an  entrance,  but  must  follow  as  the 
body  escapes. 

NEGLECTED   AND   AGGRAVATED   CASES. 

In  laying  down  the  above  rules  for  giving  assistance  in  critical  cases 
of  calving  it  is  not  intimated  that  all  cases  and  stages  can  be  success- 
fully dealt  with.  Too  often  assistance  is  not  sought  for  many  hours 
or  even  days  after  labor  pains  and  the  escape  of  the  waters  intimate 
the  danger  of  delay,  and  not  seldom  the  long  delay  has  been  filled  up 
with  unintelligent  and  injurious  attempts  at  rendering  assistance,  vio- 
lent pulling  when  resistance  is  insurmountable  without  change  of  posi- 
tion, injuries  to  the  vagina  and  womb  by  ill-considered  but  too  forcibly 
executed  attempts  to  change  the  position,  the  repeated  and  long-con- 
tinued contact  with  rough  hands  and  rougher  ropes  and  hooks,  the 
gashes  with  knives  and  lacerations  with  instruments  in  ignorant  hands, 
the  infecting  material  introduced  on  filthy  hands  and  instruments,  and 
the  septic  inflammations  started  in  the  now  dry  and  tender  passages 
and  womb,  and  not  infrequently  the  death,  putrefaction,  and  bloating 
of  the  calf  in  the  womb,  rendering  the  case  extremely  unpromising,  and 
making  it  impossible  to  apply  successfully  many  of  the  measures  above 
recommended.  The  labor  pains  of  the  cow  may  have  practically  ceased 
from  exhaustion ;  the  passages  of  the  vagina  may  be  so  dry,  tender, 
friable,  red,  and  swollen  that  it  requires  considerable  effort  even  to 
pass  the  oiled  hand  through  them,  and  the  extraction  of  the  calf  or 
any  portion  of  it  through  such  a  channel  seems  a  hopeless  task;  the 
womb  may  be  equally  dry  and  inflamed  and  swollen,  so  that  its  lining 
membrane  or  even  its  entire  thickness  is  easily  torn;  the  fetal  mem- 
branes have  lost  their  natural  unctuous  and  slippery  character,  and 
cling  firmly  to  the  dry  walls  of  the  womb,  to  the  dry  skin  of  the  calf, 
or  to  the  hands  of  the  operator ;  the  dead  and  putrefying  calf  may  be 
so  bloated  with  gases  that  the  womb  has  been  overdistended  by  its 
presence,  and  the  two  adhere  so  closely  that  the  motion  of  the  one  on 
the  other  is  practically  impossible.  In  other  cases  reckless  attempts 
to  cut  the  calf  in  pieces  have  left  raw  surfaces  with  projecting  bones 
which  dangerously  scratch  and  tear  the  womb  and  passages. 

In  many  cases  the  extreme  resort  must  be  had  of  cutting  the  fetus 
to  pieces  (embryotomy),  or  the  still  more  redoubtable  one  of  Csesarean 
section  (extraction  through  the  flank). 

DISSECTION   OF   THE   UNBORN   CALF    (EMBRYOTOMY). 

In  some  cases  the  dissection  of  the  calf  is  the  only  feasible  means 
of  delivering  it  through  the  natural  passages;  and  while  it  is  espe- 


DISEASES    OF    THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  199 

cially  applicable  to  the  dead  calf,  it  is  also  on  occasions  called  for  in 
the  case  of  the  living.  As  a  rule,  the  living  calf  should  be  preserved, 
if  possible,  but  if  this  threatens  to  entail  the  death  of  the  cow  it  is 
only  in  the  case  of  offspring  of  rare  value  that  its  presentation  is  to 
be  preferred.  To  those  acquainted  with  the  toil,  fatigue,  and  discom- 
fort of  embryotomy,  no  dissuasion  is  necessary  so  long  as  there  is  a 
prospect  of  success  from  the  simple  and  generally  easier  method  of 
rectifying  the  faulty  position  of  the  calf.  But  when  the  correction  of 
the  position  is  manifestly  impossible,  when  distortions  and  monstrosi- 
ties of  the  fetus  successfully  obstruct  delivery,  when  the  pelvic  pas- 
sages are  seriously  contracted  by  fractures  and  bony  growths,  when 
the  passages  are  virtually  almost  closed  by  swelling,  or  when  the  calf 
is  dead  and  excessively  swollen,  no  other  resort  may  be  available.  In 
many  cases  of  distortion  and  displacement  the  dismemberment  of  the 
entire  calf  is  unnecessary,  the  removal  of  the  offending  member  being 
all  that  is  required.  It  will  be  convenient,  therefore,  to  describe  the 
various  suboperations  one  by  one  and  in  the  order  in  which  the}T  are 
usually  demanded. 

AMPUTATION   OF  THE   FORE   LIMB. 

In  cutting  off  a  fore  limb  it  is  the  one  presenting  that  should  be 
selected,  since  it  is  much  more  easily  operated  on,  and  its  complete 
removal  from  the  side  of  the  chest  affords  so  much  more  space  for 
manipulation  that  it  often  makes  it  easy  to  bring  the  other  missing  limb 
or  the  head  into  position.  The  first  consideration  is  to  skin  the  limb 
from  the  fetlock  up  and  leave  the  skin  attached  to  the  body.  The  rea- 
sons for  this  are :  (a)  That  the  skin  is  the  most  resistant  structure  of 
the  limb,  and  when  it  has  been  removed  the  entire  limb  can  be  easily 
detached;  (b)  the  tough  skin  left  from  the  amputated  limb  may  be 
used  as  a  cord  in  subsequent  traction  on  the  body  of  the  calf;  (c)  the 
dissection  and  separation  of  the  limb  are  far  more  safely  accomplished 
under  the  protection  of  the  enveloping  skin  than  if  the  operator's 
hands  and  instruments  were  in  direct  contact  with  the  walls  of  the 
passages  or  womb;  (d)  the  dissection  can  be  much  more  easily  effected 
while  the  skin  is  stretched  by  the  left  hand,  so  as  to  form  a  compara- 
tively firmer  resistant  point  for  the  knife,  than  when  it  is  attempted 
to  cut  the  soft,  yielding,  and  elastic  tissues  which  naturally  offer  little 
solid  resistance,  but  constantly  recede  before  the  cutting  edge  of  the 
instrument.  The  preservation  of  the  skin  is  therefore  a  cardinal 
principle  in  the  amputation  of  all  parts  in  which  it  is  at  all 
feasible. 

The  presenting  foot  is  inclosed  in  a  noose  and  drawn  well  out  of  the 
passages.  Then  a  circular  incision  through  the  skin  is  made  around 
the  limb  just  above  the  fetlock.  From  this  the  skin  is  slit  up  on  the 
inner  side  of  the  limb  to  the  breast.  Then  the  projecting  part  of  the 
limb  is  skinned  up  to  the  vulva,  traction  being  made  on  the  foot  by 
an  assistant  so  as  to  expose  as  much  as  possible.     The  embryotomy 


200  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

knife  may  now  be  taken  (PL  XXI,  fig.  2),  and  a  small  hole  having 
been  cut  in  the  free  end  of  the  detached  portion  of  skin,  that  is  seized 
by  the  left  hand  and  extended  while  its  firm  connections  with  the 
deeper  structures  are  cut  through.  The  looser  connections  can  be 
more  quickly  torn  through  with  the  closed  fist,  or  the  tips  of  the  four 
fingers  held  firmly  together  in  a  line,  or  with  the  spud,  of  which  there 
are  several  kinds.  Much  of  the  upper  part  of  the  limb  can  be  skinned 
more  speedily  without  the  knife,  but  that  must  be  resorted  to  to  cut 
across  tough  bands  whenever  these  interrupt  the  progress.  The  skin- 
ning should  be  carried  upward  on  the  outer  side  of  the  shoulder  blade 
to  the  spine,  or  nearly  so.  Then  with  the  knife  the  muscles  attach- 
ing the  elbow  and  shoulder  to  the  breastbone  are  cut  across,  together 
with  those  on  the  inner  side  of  the  shoulder  joint,  and  in  front  and 
behind  it  so  far  as  these-can  be  reached.  Steady  traction  is  now  made 
upon  the  foot,  the  remaining  muscles  attaching  the  shoulder  blade  to 
the  trunk  are  torn  through  with  a  crackling  noise,  and  the  whole 
limb,  including  the  shoulder  blade  and  its  investing  muscles,  comes 
away.  If  the  shoulder  blade  is  left  the  bulk  of  the  chest  is  not  dimin- 
ished, and  nothing  has  been  gained.  Before  going  further  it  is  well 
to  see  whether  the  great  additional  space  thus  secured  in  the  passages 
will  allow  of  the  missing  limb  or  head  to  be  brought  into  position. 
If  not,  the  other  presenting  part,  limb  or  head,  is  to  be  amputated 
and  extracted.  For  the  limb  the  procedure  is  a  repetition  of  that 
just  described. 

AMPUTATION   OF  THE   HEAD. 

The  head  is  first  seized  and  drawn  well  forward,  or  even  outside  the 
vulva,  by  a  rope  with  a  running  noose  placed  around  the  lower  jaw 
just  behind  the  incisor  teeth,  by  a  sharp  hook  inserted  in  the  arch  of 
the  lower  jaw  behind  the  union  of  its  two  branches  and  back  of  the 
incisor  teeth,  or  by  hooks  inserted  in  the  orbits,  or,  finally,  in  case 
the  whole  head  protrudes,  by  a  halter.     (PI.  XXI,  fig.  4a  and  4?>. ) 

In  case  the  whole  head  protrudes,  a  circular  incision  through  the 
skin  is  made  just  back  of  the  ear,  and  the  cut  edge  being  held  firmly 
by  the  left  hand,  the  neck  is  skinned  as  far  as  it  can  be  reached. 
Then  the  great  ligamentous  cord  above  the  spine  is  cut  across  at  the 
farthest  available  point,  together  with  the  muscles  above  and  below 
the  spine.  Strong  traction  on  the  head  will  then  detach  it  at  this 
point  and  bring  it  away,  but  should  there  still  be  too  much  resistance 
the  knife  is  inserted  between  the  bodies  of  two  vertebrae  just  behind 
one  of  the  prominent  points  felt  in  the  median  line  below,  and  their 
connecting  fibrous  cartilage  is  cut  through,  after  which  comparatively 
moderate  pulling  will  bring  it  away.  The  detached  neck  and  body 
at  once  slip  back  into  the  womb,  and  if  the  fore  limbs  are  now  brought 
up  and  pulled  they  are  advanced  so  far  upon  the  chest  that  the  trans  - 
verse  diameter  of  that  is  greatly  diminished  and  delivery  correspond- 
ingly facilitated. 


DISEASES    OF    THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  201 

If  the  head  is  still  inclosed  in  the  vagina  two  methods  are  avail- 
able: (1)  The  removal  of  the  lower  jaw  and  subsequent  separation  of 
the  head  from  the  neck;  (2)  the  skinning  of  the  whole  head  and  its 
separation  from  the  neck. 

To  remove  the  lower  jaw  the  skin  is  dissected  away  from  it  until 
the  throat  is  reached.  Then  the  muscles  of  the  cheeks  and  side  of 
the  jaw  (masseters)  are  cut  through  and  those  connecting  the  jaw 
with  the  neck.  When  traction  is  made  on  the  rope  round  the  lower 
jaw  it  will  usually  come  away  with  little  trouble.  Should  it  resist, 
its  posterior  extremity  on  each  side  (behind  the  grinding  teeth)  may 
be  cut  through  with  bone  forceps  or  with  a  guarded  bone  chisel. 
(PL  XX,  fig.  8.)  After  the  removal  of  the  lower  jaw  the  way  will  be 
open  to  separate  the  head  from  the  neck,  the  knife  being  used  to  cut 
into  the  first  or  second  joint  from  below,  or  the  bone  forceps  or  chisel 
being  employed  to  cut  through  the  bones  of  the  neck.  Then  traction 
is  made  on  the  head  by  means  of  hooks  in  the  orbits,  and  the  hand, 
armed  with  an  embryotomy  knife,  is  introduced  to  cut  through  the 
tense  resisting  ligament  and  muscles  above  the  bones.  The  skin  and 
the  strong  ligamentous  cord  attached  to  the  poll  are  the  essential 
things  to  cut,  as  the  muscles  can  easily  be  torn  across.  Unless  there 
are  great  difficulties  in  the  way  it  is  well  to  skin  the  head  from  the 
eyes  back,  and  on  reaching  the  poll  to  cut  through  the  ligament  and 
then  bring  the  head  away  by  pulling. 

If  it  is  decided  to  remove  the  entire  head  at  once,  it  may  be  skinned 
from  the  front  of  the  eyes  back  to  behind  the  lower  jaw  below  and 
the  poll  above,  then  cut  through  the  muscles  and  ligaments  around 
the  first  joint  and  pull  the  head  away,  assisting,  if  need  be,  in  the 
separation  of  the  head  by  using  the  knife  on  the  ligament  of  the 
joint. 

If  the  calf  is  a  double-headed  monster,  the  skinning  of  the  head 
must  be  carried  backward  until  the  point  has  been  reached  where 
both  heads  branch  from  the  single  neck,  and  the  separation  must  be 
made  at  that  point.  The  muscles  and  ligaments  are  first  to  be  cut 
through;  and  if  the  part  can  not  then  be  detached  by  pulling,  the 
bodies  of  the  vertebrse  may  be  separated  by  passing  the  knife  through 
the  joint.  The  second  head  may  now  be  secured  by  a  noose  round 
the  lower  jaw  or  hooks  in  the  orbits  and  brought  up  into  place,  the 
body  being  pushed  back  toward  the  other  side  by  a  repeller,  so  as  to 
make  room. 

It  should  be  added  that,  excepting  in  the  case  of  a  double-headed 
monster,  or  in  case  of  the  head  protruding  or  nearly  so,  and  one  or 
both  fore  limbs  presenting,  it  is  rarely  desirable  to  undertake  ampu- 
tation of  the  head.  The  space  desirable  in  the  passages  can  usually 
be  secured  by  the  much  simpler  and  easier  procedure  of  removing 
one  or  both  fore  limbs. 


202  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

AMPUTATION   OF  THE   HIND   LIMBS. 

This  is  sometimes  demanded  on  the  one  extended  limb  when  the 
other  can  not  be  brought  up  and  delivery  can  not  be  effected;  also  in 
case  of  monsters  having  extra  hind  limbs ;  in  cases  where  the  calf  is 
dead,  putrid,  and  bloated  with  gas,  and  in  some  cases  of  breech 
presentation,  as  described  under  that  head. 

When  the  limb  is  extended  the  guiding  principles  are  as  in  the  case 
of  the  fore  limbs.  The  skin  is  cut  through  circularly  above  the  fet- 
lock and  slit  up  to  beneath  the  pelvic  bones  on  the  inner  side  of  the 
thigh.  It  is  then  dissected  from  the  other  parts  as  high  as  it  has  been 
slit  on  the  inner  side  and  to  above  the  prominence  {trochanter  major) 
on  the  upper  end  of  the  thigh  bone  on  the  outer  side  of  the  joint.  In 
this  procedure  the  hands  and  spud  can  do  much,  but  owing  to  the 
firmer  connections  the  knife  will  be  more  frequently  required  than  in 
the  case  of  the  fore  limb.  The  muscles  are  now  cut  through  all 
around  the  hip  joint,  and  strong  traction  is  made  by  two  or  three  men 
on  the  limb.  If  there  is  still  too  much  resistance,  a  knife  is  inserted 
into  the  joint  on  the  inner  side  and  its  round  ligament  cut  through, 
after  which  extraction  will  be  comparatively  easy.  This  accom- 
plished, it  will  often  be  possible  to  extract  the  fetus  with  the  other 
leg  turned  forward  into  the  womb.  If  the  calf  is  bloated  with  gas,  it 
may  be  necessary  to  remove  the  other  leg  in  the  same  way,  and  even 
to  cut  open  the  chest  and  abdomen  and  remove  their  contents  before 
extraction  can  be  effected.  In  the  case  of  extra  limbs  it  may  be  pos- 
sible to  bring  them  up  into  the  passages  after  the  presenting  hind 
limbs  have  been  removed.  If  this  is  not  practicable,  they  may  be 
detached  by  cutting  them  through  at  the  hip  joint,  as  described  under 
"Breech  presentation,"  page  194. 

Another  method  of  removing  the  hind  limb  is,  after  having  skinned 
it  over  the  quarter,  to  cut  through  the  pelvic  bones  from  before  back- 
ward, in  the  median  line  below,  by  knife,  saw,  or  long  embryotome 
(PI.  XX,  fig.  1),  and  then  disjoint  the  bones  of  the  spine  (sacrum) 
and  the  hip  bone  (ilium)  on  that  side  with  embryotome,  knife,  or 
saw,  and  then  drag  away  the  entire  limb,  along  with  all  the  hip  bones 
on  that  side.  This  has  the  advantage  of  securing  more  room  and 
thereby  facilitating  subsequent  operations.  Both  limbs  may  be  re- 
moved in  this  way,  but  on  the  removal  of  the  second  the  operator  is 
without  any  solid  point  to  drag  upon  in  bringing  away  the  remainder 
of  the  fetus. 

DIVISION   ACROSS   THE   MIDDLE   OF  THE   BODY. 

In  cases  of  extra  size,  monstrosity,  or  distortion  of  one  end  of  the 
body  it  may  be  requisite  to  cut  the  body  in  two  and  return  the  half 
from  the  passages  into  the  womb,  even  after  one-half  has  been  born. 
The  presenting  members  are  dragged  upon  forcibly  by  assistants  to 
bring  as  much  of  the  body  as  possible  outside.     Then  cut  through  the 


DISEASES    OF   THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  203 

skin  around  the  body  at  some  distance  from  the  vulva,  and  with  hand, 
knife,  and  spud  detach  it  from  the  trunk  as  far  back  into  the  passages 
as  can  be  reached.  Next  cut  across  the  body  at  the  point  reached, 
beginning  at  the  lower  part  (breast,  belly)  and  proceeding  up  toward 
the  spine.  This  greatly  favors  the  separation  of  the  backbone  when 
reached,  and  further  allows  of  its  being  extended  so  that  it  can  be 
divided  higher  up.  When  the  backbone  is  reached,  the  knife  is 
passed  between  the  two  bones,  the  prominent  ridges  across  their  ends 
acting  as  guides,  and  by  dragging  and  twisting  the  one  is  easily 
detached  from  the  other.  With  an  anterior  presentation  the  separa- 
tion should,  if  possible,  be  made  behind  the  last  rib,  while  with  a 
posterior  presentation  as  many  of  the  ribs  should  be  brought  away  as 
can  be  accomplished.  Having  removed  one  half  of  the  body,  the 
remaining  half  is  to  be  pushed  back  into  the  womb,  the  feet  sought 
and  secured  with  nooses,  and  the  second  half  removed  in  one  piece 
if  possible ;  and  if  not,  then  after  the  removal  of  the  extra  limb  or 
other  cause  of  obstruction. 

REMOVAL  OF  THE  CONTENTS  OF  CHEST  OR  ABDOMEN. 

If  the  body  of  the  calf  sticks  fast  in  the  passages  by  reason  of  the 
mere  dryness  of  its  skin  and  of  the  passages,  the  obstacle  may  be 
removed  by  injecting  sweet  oil  past  the  fetus  into  the  womb  through 
a  rubber  or  other  tube,  and  smearing  the  passages  freely  with  lard. 
When  the  obstruction  depends  on  excess  of  size  of  the  chest  or  abdo- 
men, or  thickening  of  the  body  from  distorted  spine,  much  advantage 
may  be  derived  from  the  removal  of  the  contents  of  these  great  cavi- 
ties of  the  trunk.  We  have  already  seen  how  the  haunches  may  be 
narrowed  by  cutting  the  bones  apart  in  the  median  line  below  and 
causing  their  free  edges  to  overlap  each  other.  The  abdomen  can  be 
cut  open  by  the  embryotomy  knife  or  the  long  embryotome  in  the 
median  line,  or  at  any  point,  and  the  contents  pulled  out  with  the 
hand,  the  knife  being  used  in  any  case  when  especial  resistance  is 
encountered.  If  the  abdomen  is  so  firmly  impacted  that  it  can  not  be 
dealt  with  in  this  way,  one  hind  limb  and  the  hip  bone  on  the  same 
side  may  be  removed  as  described  under  "Amputation  of  the  hind 
limbs,"  page  202.  This  will  allow  the  introduction  of  the  hand  into 
the  abdomen  from  behind,  so  as  to  pull  out  the  contents.  By  intro- 
ducing an  embryotomy  knife  in  the  palm  of  the  hand  and  cutting 
through  the  muscle  of  the  diaphragm  the  interior  of  the  chest  can 
be  reached  in  the  same  way  and  the  heart  and  lungs  removed. 

When,  in  dealing  with  an  anterior  presentation,  it  becomes  neces- 
sary to  remove  the  contents  of  the  chest,  the  usual  course  is  to  cut 
through  the  connections  of  the  ribs  with  the  breastbone  (the  costal 
cartilages)  close  to  the  breastbone  on  each  side,  and  from  the  abdo- 
men forward  to  the  neck.  Then  cut  through  the  muscles  connecting 
the  front  of  the  breastbone  with  the  neck  and  its  hinder  end  with  the 


i5U4  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

belly,  and  pull  out  the  entire  breastbone.  Having  torn  out  the  heart 
and  lungs  with  the  hand,  make  the  rib  cartilages  on  the  one  side  over- 
lap those  on  the  other,  so  as  to  lessen  the  thickness  of  the  chest,  and 
proceed  to  extract  the  body.  If  it  seems  needful  to  empty  the  abdo- 
men as  well,  it  is  easy  to  reach  it  by  cutting  through  the  diaphragm, 
which  separates  ir  from  the  chest. 

DELIVERY   THROUGH    THE   FLANK    (CESAREAN    SECTION,    OR 
LAPAROTOMY). 

This  is  sometimes  demanded,  when  the  distortion  and  narrowing  of 
the  hip  bones  are  such  as  to  forbid  the  passage  of  the  calf,  or  when 
inflammation  has  practically  closed  the  natural  passages  and  the 
progeny  is  more  valuable  and  worthy  of  being  saved  than  the  dam ; 
also  in  cases  in  which  the  cow  has  been  fatally  injured,  or  is  ill  beyond 
possibility  of  recovery  and  yet  carries  a  living  calf.  It  is  too  often  a 
last  resort  after  long  and  fruitless  efforts  to  deliver  by  the  natural 
channels,  and  in  such  cases  the  saving  of  the  calf  is  all  that  can  be 
expected,  the  exhausted  cow,  already  the  subject  of  active  inflamma- 
tion, and  too  often  also  of  putrid  poisoning,  is  virtually  beyond  hope. 
The  hope  of  saving  the  dam  is  greatest  if  she  is  in  good  health  and 
not  fatigued,  in  cases,  for  example,  in  which  the  operation  is  resorted 
to  on  account  of  broken  hip  bones  or  abnormally  narrow  passages. 

The  stock  owner  will  not  attempt  such  a  serious  operation  as  this. 
Yet,  where  the  mother  has  just  died  or  is  to  be  immediately  sacrificed, 
no  one  should  hesitate  at  resorting  to  it  in  order  to  save  the  calf.  If 
alive  it  is  important  to  have  the  cow  perfectly  still.  Her  left  fore  leg 
being  bent  at  the  knee  by  one  person,  another  may  seize  the  left  horn 
and  nose  and  turn  the  head  to  the  right  until  the  nose  rests  on  the 
spine  just  above  the  shoulder.  The  cow  will  sink  down  gently  on  her 
left  side  without  shock  or  struggle.  One  may  now  hold  the  head 
firmly  to  the  ground,  while  a  second,  carrying  the  end  of  the  tail  from 
behind  forward  on  the  inside  of  the  right  thigh,  pulls  upon  it  so  as  to 
keep  the  right  hind  limb  well  raised  from  the  ground.  If  time  presses 
she  may  be  operated  on  in  this  position,  or  if  the  cow  is  to  be  sacri- 
ficed a  blow  on  the  head  with  an  ax  will  secure  quietude.  Then  the 
prompt  cutting  into  the  abdomen  and  womb  and  the  extraction  of  the 
calf  requires  no  skill.  If,  however,  the  cow  is  to  preserved,  her  two 
fore  feet  and  the  lower  hind  one  should  be  safely  fastened  together 
and  the  upper  hind  one  drawn  back.  Two  ounces  chloral  hydrate, 
given  by  injection,  should  induce  sleep  in  twenty  minutes  and  the 
operation  may  proceed.  In  case  the  cow  is  to  be  preserved,  wash  the 
right  flank  and  apply  a  solution  of  4  grains  of  corrosive  sublimate  in 
a  pint  of  water. 

Then,  with  an  ordinary  scalpel  or  knife  dipped  in  the  above  solu- 
tion, make  an  incision  from  2  inches  below  and  in  front  of  the  outer 
angle  of  the  hip  bone  in  a  direction  downward  and  slightly  forward  to 
a  distance  of  12  inches.     Cut  through  the  muscles,  and  more  carefully 


DISEASES    OF    THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  205 

through  the  transparent  lining  membrane  of  the  abdomen  (perito- 
neum), letting  the  point  of  the  knife  lie  in  the  groove  between  the  first 
two  fingers  of  the  left  hand  as  they  are  slid  down  inside  the  membrane 
and  with  their  back  to  the  intestines.  An  assistant,  whose  hands,  like 
those  of  the  operator,  have  been  dipped  in  the  sublimate  solution, 
may  press  his  hands  on  the  wound  behind  the  knife  to  prevent  the 
protrusion  of  the  intestines.  The  operator  now  feels  for  and  brings 
up  to  the  wound  the  gravid  womb,  allowing  it  to  bulge  well  through 
the  abdominal  wound,  so  as  to  keep  back  the  bowels  and  prevent  any 
escape  of  water  into  the  abdomen.  This  is  seconded  by  two  assistants, 
who  press  the  lips  of  the  wound  against  the  womb.  Then  an  incision 
12  inches  long  is  made  into  the  womb  at  its  most  prominent  point, 
deep  enough  to  penetrate  its  walls,  but  not  so  as  to  cut  into  the  water 
bags.  In  cutting,  carefully  avoid  the  cotyledons,  which  may  be  felt 
as  hard  masses  inside.  By  pressure  the  water  bags  may  be  made  to 
bulge  out  as  in  natural  parturition,  and  this  projecting  portion  may 
be  torn  or  cut  so  as  to  let  the  liquid  flow  down  outside  of  the  belly. 
The  operator  now  plunges  his  hand  into  the  womb,  seizes  the  fore  or 
hind  limbs,  and  quickly  extracts  the  calf  and  gives  it  to  an  attendant 
to  convey  to  a  safe  place.  The  womb  may  be  drawn  out,  but  not  until 
all  the  liquid  has  flowed  out,  and  the  fetal  membranes  must  be  sepa- 
rated from  the  natural  cotyledons,  one  by  one,  and  the  membranes 
removed.  The  womb  is  now  emptied  with  a  sponge,  which  has  been 
boiled  or  squeezed  out  of  a  sublimate  solution,  and  if  any  liquid  has 
fallen  into  the  abdomen  it  may  be  removed  in  the  same  way.  A  few 
stitches  are  now  placed  in  the  wound  in  the  womb,  using  carbolized 
catgut.  They  need  not  be  very  close  together,  as  the  wound  will 
diminish  greatly  when  the  womb  contracts.  Should  the  womb  not 
contract  at  once  it  may  have  applied  against  it  a  sponge  squeezed  out 
of  a  cold  sublimate  solution,  or  it  may  be  drawn  out  of  the  abdominal 
wound  and  exposed  to  the  cold  air  until  it  contracts.  Its  contraction 
is  necessary  to  prevent  bleeding  from  its  enormous  network  of  veins. 
When  contracted  the  womb  is  returned  into  the  abdomen  and  the 
abdominal  wound  sewed  up.  One  set  of  stitches,  to  be  placed  at 
intervals  of  2  inches,  is  passed  through  the  entire  thickness  of  skin 
and  muscles  and  tied  around  two  quills  or  little  rollers  resting  on  the 
skin.  (PL  XXVIII,  fig.  7.)  These  should  be  of  silver,  and  may  be 
cut  at  one  end  and  pulled  out  after  the  wound  has  healed.  The  super- 
ficial stitches  are  put  in  every  half  inch  and  passed  through  the  skin 
only.  They,  too,  may  be  of  silver;  or  pins  may  be  inserted  through 
the  lips  and  a  fine  cord  twisted  round  their  ends  like  a  figure  8.  (PL 
XXVIII,  fig.  9.)  The  points  of  the  pins  may  be  snipped  off  with 
pliers.  The  edges  may  be  still  further  held  together  by  the  applica- 
tion of  Venice  turpentine,  melted  so  as  to  become  firmly  adherent,  and 
covered  with  a  layer  of  sterilized  cotton  wool.  Then  the  whole  should 
be  supported  by  a  bandage  fixed  around  the  loins  and  abdomen. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  GENERATIVE  ORGANS. 

DESCRIPTION   OF   PLATES. 

Plate  XII: 

Fetus  with  its  membranes  at  mid  term.  The  uterus  is  opened  on  the  left  side. 
In  the  uterus  the  fetus  is  surrounded  by  several  membranes,  which  are 
known  as  the  amnion,  or  inner  layer,  the  allantois,  or  central  layer,  and  the 
chorion,  or  outer  layer.  The  amnion,  or  inner  membrane,  is  nearest  the 
fetus,  and  forms  a  closed  sac  around  it,  filled  with  a  fluid  known  as  liquor 
amnii,  in  which  the  fetus  floats. 

The  allantois  is  the  central  membrane,  and  is  composed  of  two  layers  which 
form  a  closed  sac  in  connection  with  the  urachus,  or  the  tube  which  extends 
from  the  fetal  bladder  through  the  umbilical  cord.  The  one  layer  of  the 
allantois  is  spread  over  the  outer  surface  of  the  amnion  and  the  other 
over  the  inner  surface  of  chorion.  The  allantois  also  contains  a  fluid  which 
'  is  known  as  the  allantoid  liquid. 

The  chorion  is  the  outer  envelope  or  membrane  of  the  fetus,  completely  inclos- 
ing the  fetus  with  its  other  membranes.  On  the  outer  surface  of  this 
membrane  are  found  the  fetal  placentulse,  or  cotyledons,  which,  through 
their  attachment  to  the  maternal  cotyledons,  furnish  the  fetus  with  the 
means  of  sustaining  life.  The  relation  of  the  fetal  and  maternal  cotyle- 
dons to  each  other  is  illustrated  on  the  following  plate. 
Plate  XIII: 

Fig.  1.  Uterus  of  the  cow  during  pregnancy,  laid  open  to  show  the  cotyledons 
(d)  on  the  internal  surface  of  uterus  (c).  The  ovary  (a)  is  shown  cut 
across,  and  the  two  halves  laid  open  to  show  the  position  of  the  discharged 
ovum  at  a'. 

Fig.  2.  Illustrates  the  relation  of  the  fetal  and  maternal  parts  of  a  cotyledon. 
A  portion  of  the  uterus  (.4)  is  shown  with  the  maternal  cotyledon  (BB) 
attached  to  it.  The  fetal  portion  (D)  consists  of  a  mass  of  very  minute 
hairlike  processes  on  the  chorion  (E) ,  which  fit  into  corresponding  depres- 
sions or  pits  of  the  maternal  portion.  Each  portion  is  abundantly  supplied 
with  blood  vessels,  so  that  a  ready  interchange  of  nutritive  fluid  may  take 
place  between  mother  and  fetu-. 
Plate  XIV: 

Fig.  1.  Taken  from  Fiirstenberg-Leisering,  Anatomie  und  Physiologie  des 
Rindes.  Fetal  calf  with  a  portion  of  the  wall  of  the  abdominal  cavity  of 
the  right  side  and  the  stomach  and  intestines  removed  to  illustrate  the 
nature  of  the  umbilical  or  navel  cord.  It  consists  of  a  tube  (1-1')  into 
which  pass  the  two  umbilical  arteries  (3)  carrying  blood  to  the  placenta 
in  the  uterus  or  womb  and  the  umbilical  vein  (4)  bringing  the  blood  back 
and  carrying  it  into  the  liver.  The  cord  also  contains  the  urachus  ('2'), 
which  carries  urine  from  the  bladder  (2)  through  the  cord.  These  vessels 
are  all  obliterated  at  birth.  5,  liver;  5',  lobe  of  same,  known  as  the  lobus 
Spiegelii;  5",  gall  bladder;  6,  right  kidney:  G  ,  left  kidney;  6",  ureters,  or 
the  tubes  conducting  the  urine  from  the  kidneys  to  the  bladder;  7,  rectum, 
where  it  has  been  severed  in  removing  the  intestines;  8,  uterus  of  the 
fetus,  cut  off  at  the  anterior  extremity;  9,  aorta;  10,  posterior  vena  cava. 
206 


DISEASES    OF   THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  207 

Pla-TE  XIV— Continued. 

Fig.  2.  Taken  from  Quain's  Anatomy,  Vol.  n,  showing  the  blood  vessels 
passing  through  the  umbilical  cord  in  a  human  fetus:  L,  liver;  K,  kidney: 
J,  intestines;  U  C,  umbilical  cord ;  Ua,  umbilical  arteries.  The  posterior 
aorta  coming  from  the  heart  passes  backward  and  gives  rise  to  the  internal 
iliac  arteries,  and  of  these  the  umbilical  arteries  are  branches.  Uv,  umbil- 
ical vein;  this  joins  the  portal  vein,  passes  onward  to  the  liver,  breaks  up 
into  smaller  vessels,  which  reunite  in  the  hepatic  vein;  this  empties  into 
the  posterior  vena  cava,  which  carries  the  blood  back  to  the  heart. 
Plate  XV: 

Showing  the  most  favorable  position  of  the  calf  or  fetus  in  the  womb  at  birth, 
and  the  position  in  which  it  is  most  frequently  found.  This  is  known  as 
the  normal  anterior  position.  The  back  of  the  fetus  is  directly  towards 
that  of  the  mother,  the  fore  legs  are  extended  back  towards  the  vulva  of 
the  mother,  and  the  head  rests  between  them.  The  birth  of  the  calf  in 
this  position  usually  takes  place  without  artificial  assistance. 
Plate  XVI: 

Fig.  1.  Anterior  presentation;  one  fore  limb  completely  retained.  From 
Fleming's  Veterinary  Obstetrics.  The  retained  limb  must  be  reached  if 
possible,  and  brought  forward  joint  by  joint  and  the  fetus  then  extracted. 

Fig.  2.  Anterior  presentation;  fore  limbs  bent  at  knee.  From  Fleming's 
Veterinary  Obstetrics.  The  limbs  must  be  extended  before  delivery  can 
be  accomplished. 

Fig.  3.  Anterior  presentation;  fore  limb  crossed  over  neck.  From  Fleming's 
Veterinary  Obstetrics.  The  leg  should  be  grasped  a  little  above  the  fet- 
lock, raised,  drawn  to  its  proper  side,  and  extended  in  the  genital  canal. 

Fig.  4.  Anterior  presentation;  downward  deviation  of  head.  After  St.  Cyr, 
from  Hill's  Bovine  Medicine  and  Surgery.  The  head  must  be  brought 
into  position  seen  in  Plate  XV  before  delivery  can  take  place. 

Fig.  5.  Anterior  presentation;  deviation  of  the  head  upwards  and  backwards. 
From  Fleming's  Veterinary  Obstetrics.  Retropulsion  is  the  first  indica- 
tion, and  will  often  bring  the  head  into  its  normal  position. 

Fig.  6.  Anterior  presentation;  head  presenting  with  back  down.     From  D'Ar- 
boval,  Diet,  de  Med.  et  de  Chir.     The  fetus  should  be  turned  by  pushing 
back  the  fore  parts  and  bringing  up  the  hind  so  as  to  make  a  posterior 
presentation. 
Plate  XVII: 

Fig.  1 .  Anterior  presentation,  with  hind  feet  engaged  in  pelvis.  A  very  serious 
malpresentation ,  in  which  it  is  generally  impossible  to  save  the  fetus  if 
delivery  is  far  advanced.     The  indications  are  to  force  back  the  hind  feet. 

Fig.  2.  Thigh  and  croup  presentation,  showing  the  fetus  corded.  From 
Fleming's  Veterinary  Obstetrics.  The  cord  has  a  ring  or  noose  at  one 
end.  The  two  ends  of  the  cord  are  passed  between  the  thighs,  brought 
out  at  the  flanks,  and  the  plain  end  passed  through  the  noose  at  the  top 
of  the  back  and  brought  outside  the  vulva.  The  fetus  must  be  pushed 
back  and  an  attempt  made  to  bring  the  limbs  properly  into  the  genital 
passage. 

Fig.  3.  Croup  and  hock  presentation.  From  Fleming's  Veterinary  Obstetrics. 
The  indications  in  this  abnormal  presentation  are  the  same  as  described 
for  Fig.  2. 

Fig.  4.  Posterior  presentation;  the  fetus  on  its  back.  From  D'Arboval,  Diet, 
de  Med.  et  de  Chir.  Turn  the  fetus  so  as  to  make  a  normal  anterior 
presentation. 


208  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

Plate  XVII — Continued. 

Fig.  5.  Sterno-abdominal  presentation.  From  D'Arboval,  Diet,  de  Med.  et  de 
Chir.  The  fetus  is  on  its  side  with  limbs  crossing  and  presenting.  The 
limbs  least  eligible  for  extraction  should  be  forced  back  into  the  uterus. 
Fig.  6.  Dorso-lumbar  presentation;  the  back  presenting.  From  D'Arboval, 
Diet .  de  Med.  et  de  Chir.  The  fetus  must  be  turned  so  that  one  or  the 
other  extremity  can  enter  the  passage. 
Plate  XVIII: 

Fig.  1.  Twin  pregnancy,  showing  the  normal  anterior  and  posterior  presenta- 
tions.    From  Fleming's  Veterinary  Obstetrics. 

Fig.  2.  Abdominal  dropsy  of  the  fetus;  normal  presentation;  fore  limbs  corded. 
After  Armatage.  The  drawing  illustrates  the  method  of  puncturing  the 
abdomen  through  the  chest  with  a  long  trocar  and  canula.  The  fluid  is 
represented  escaping  from  the  canula  after  the  withdrawal  of  the  trocar. 

Fig.  3.  Tallich's  short,  bent,  crotchet  forceps.  The  forceps  have  bent  and 
toothed  jaws,  which  are  intended  to  take  hold  of  the  fetus  where  neither 
cords  nor  hooks  can  be  applied,  as  the  ear,  nose,  or  skin  of  cheek. 

Fig.  4.  Clamp  for  ear.  skin,  etc:  1-1,  blades  with  hooks  and  corresponding 
holes;  2,  ring  to  close  the  blades;  3,  stem  with  female  screw  for  handle; 
4,  handle,  which  may  be  either  straight  or  jointed  and  flexible. 
Plate  XIX: 

This  plate  illustrates  various  malformations  and  diseases  of  the  fetus  which 
act  as  the  cause  of  difficult  parturition. 

Figs.  1,2,3.  Represent  the  fetuses  with  portions  of  their  bodies  double.  Fig. 
1  (from  Fleming's  Veterinary  Obstetrics),  double  head,  neck,  and  fore 
limbs.  Fig.  2  (from  Eneyclop.  der  Gesam.  Thierheilkunde ,  1886),  double 
head,  neck,  fore  limbs,  and  body.  Fig.  3  (from  Fleming's  Veterinary 
Obstetrics) ,  double  faced. 

Fig.  4.  Fetus  with  head  very  much  enlarged.  From  Fleming's  Veterinary 
Obstetrics.  This  affection  is  known  as  hydrocephalus,  or  dropsy  of  the 
brain,  and  is  due  to  a  more  or  less  considerable  quantity  of  fluid  in  the 
cranial  cavity  of  the  fetus. 

Fig.  5.  Skull  of  the  calf  represented  in  Fig.  4.     The  roof  of  the  skull  is  absent. 
From  Fleming's  Veterinary  Obstetrics. 
Plate  XX: 

Fig.  1.  Long  embryotome  with  joint. 

Fig.  2.  Long  sharp  hook.  This  instrument  is  about  3  feet  in  length,  including 
the  handle.  Hooks  of  this  kind,  both  blunt  and  sharp,  are  applied  directly 
to  the  fetus  to  assist  in  delivery. 

Fig.  3.  Gunther's  long-handled  embryotome.  This  instrument  and  that  rep- 
resented in  Fig.  1  are  of  special  value  in  cutting  through  muscular  tissue 
and  in  separating  the  limbs  from  the  trunk  when  the  fetus  can  not  be 
removed  entire.  These  embryotomes  are  usually  30  inches  long,  but  may 
be  made  either  longer  or  shorter. 

Fig.  4.  Jointed  cord-carrier,  used  in  difficult  parturition  to  carry  a  cord  into 
regions  which  can  not  be  reached  by  the  arm. 

Fig.  5.  Instrument  used  to  rotate  or  turn  the  fetus,  known  as  a  rotator. 

Fig.  0.  Dilator  of  the  neck  of  the  womb,  used  when  conception  can  not  take 
place  owing  to  a  contracted  condition  of  the  neck  of  the  womb. 

Fig.  7.  Repeller.  An  instrument  from  2  to  3  feet  long,  used  to  force  the  fetus 
forward  into  the  womb.  This  operation  is  generally  necessary  when  the 
presentation  is  abnormal  and  the  fetus  has  advanced  too  far  into  the  nar- 
row inlet  to  the  uterus  to  be  moved. 


Diseases  of  Cattle. 


Plate  xx. 


/ 


4. 


■  ] 


.A-aiiif.j ,  ,y,v' 


INSTRUMENTS  USED  IN   DIFFICULT  LABOR. 


Diseases  of  Cattle. 


PLATE  XXI. 


i^sssssissss^sr 


/rt-. 


Instruments  used  in  Difficult  labor. 


DISEASES    OF   THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS.  209 

Plate  XX — Continued. 

Fig.  8.  Cartwright's  bone  chisel.  Including  the  handle  this  instrument  is 
about  32  inches  in  length,  the  chisel  portion  is  a  little  more  than  2  inches 
long  and  1  to  H  broad.  Only  the  middle  portion  is  sharp,  the  projecting 
corners  are  blunt  and  the  sides  rounded.  This  instrument  is  used  for 
slitting  up  the  skin  of  a  limb  and  as  a  bone  chisel  when  it  is  necessary  to 
mutilate  the  fetus  in  order  to  effect  delivery. 
Plat::  XXI: 

Fig.  1.  Embryotome,  an  instrument  used  when  it,  is  necessary  to  reduce  the 
size  of  the  fetus  by  cutting  away  certain  parts  before  birth  can  be  effected. 
This  instrument  may  be  long  or  short,  straight  or  curved. 

Fig,  2.  Also  an  embryotome.  The  blade  can  be  made  to  slide  out  of  or  into 
the  handle.  The  instrument  can  thus  be  introduced  into  or  withdrawn 
from  the  genital  passage  without  risk  of  injury  to  the  mother. 

Fig.  3.  Schaack's  traction  cord.  This  is  merely  a  cord  with  a  running  noote 
at  one  end  and  a  piece  of  wood  at  the  other,  to  offer  a  better  hold  for  the 
hand. 

Figs.  4rt  and  46.  Reuff's  head  collar  for  securing  the  head  of  the  fetus. 

Fig.  5.  Curved  cord-carrier,  used  in  difficult  parturition  to  carry  a  cord  into 
regions  which  can  not  be  reached  by  the  arm 

Fig.  6.  Blunt  hook,  used  in  difficult  parturition. 

Fig.  7.  Short  hook  forceps,  used  in  difficult  parturition. 

Fig.  8.  Blunt  finger  hook. 

61386—08 14 


DISEASES  FOLLOWING  PARTURITION. 

By  James  Law,  F.  R.  C.  V.  S., 
Professor  of  Veterinary  Science,  etc.,  in  Cornell  University. 

FLOODING  (BLEEDING  FROM  THE  WOMB). 

Though  not  so  common  in  the  cow  as  in  the  human  female,  flooding 
is  sufficiently  frequent  to  demand  attention.  It  may  depend  on  a  too 
rapid  calving,  and  a  consequent  failure  of  the  womb  to  contract  when 
the  calf  has  been  removed.  The  pregnant  womb  is  extraordinarily 
rich  in  blood  vessels,  and  especially  in  large  and  tortuous  veins, 
which  become  compressed  and  all  but  obliterated  under  contraction, 
but  remain  overfilled  and  often  bleed  into  the  cavity  of  the  womb 
should  no  contraction  take  place.  Cox  records  cases  in  which  the 
labor  pains  had  detached  and  expelled  the  fetal  membranes,  while 
the  calf,  owing  to  large  size  or  wrong  presentation,  was  detained  in 
the  womb,  and  the  continued  dilatation  of  the  womb  in  the  absence 
of  the  fetal  membranes  led  to  a  flow  of  blood  which  accumulated  in 
clots  around  the  calf.  Other  causes  are  laceration  of  the  cotyledons 
of  the  womb,  or  from  an  antecedent  inflammation  of  the  placenta,  and 
the  unnatural  adhesion  of  the  membranes  to  the  womb,  which  bleeds 
when  the  two  are  torn  apart.  Weakness  of  the  womb  from  overdis- 
tention,  as  in  dropsy,  twins,  etc. ,  is  not  without  its  influence.  Finally, 
eversion  of  the  womb  (casting  the  withers)  is  an  occasional  cause  of 
flooding.  The  trouble  is  only  too  evident  when  the  blood  flows  from 
the  external  passages  in  drops  or  in  a  fine  stream.  But' when  it  is 
retained  in  the  cavity  of  the  womb  it  may  remain  unsuspected  until 
it  has  rendered  the  animal  almost  bloodless.  The  symptoms  in  such 
a  case  are  paleness  of  the  eyes,  nose,  mouth,  and  of  the  lips  of  the 
vulva,  a  weak,  rapid  pulse,  violent  and  perhaps  loud  beating  of  the 
heart  (palpitations),  sunken,  staring  eyes,  coldness  of  the  skin,  ears, 
horns,  and  limbs,  perspiration,  weakness  in  standing,  staggering 
gait,  and  finally  inability  to  rise,  and  death  in  convulsions.  If  these 
symptoms  are  seen,  the  oiled  hand  should  be  introduced  into  the 
womb,  which  will  be  found  open  and  flaccid  and  containing  large 
blood  clots. 

Treatment. — Treatment  consists  in  the  removal  of  the  fetal  mem- 
branes and  blood  clots  from  the  womb  (which  will  not  contract  while 
they  are  present),  the  dashing  of  cold  water  on  the  loins,  right  flank, 
and  vulva,  and  if  these  measures  fail  the  injection  of  cold  water  into 

210 


DISEASES    FOLLOWING    PARTURITION.  211 

the  womb  through  a  rubber  tube  furnished  with  a  funnel.  In  obsti- 
nate cases  a  good-sized  sponge  soaked  in  tincture  of  muriate  of  iron 
should  be  introduced  into  the  womb  and  firmly  squeezed,  so  as  to 
bring  the  iron  in  contact  with  the  bleeding  surface.  This  is  at  once 
an  astringent  and  a  coagulant  for  the  blood,  besides  stimulating  the 
womb  to  contraction.  In  the  absence  of  this  agent  astringents  (solu- 
tion of  copperas,  alum,  tannic  acid,  or  acetate  of  lead)  may  be  thrown 
into  the  womb,  and  one-half -dram  doses  of  acetate  of  lead  may  be 
given  by  the  mouth,  or  1  ounce  powdered  ergot  of  rye  may  be  given 
in  gruel.  When  nothing  else  is  at  hand,  an  injection  of  oil  of  tur- 
pentine will  sometimes  promptly  check  the  bleeding. 

E VERSION   OP   THE   WOMB    (CASTING   THE   WITHERS). 

Like  flooding,  this  is  the  result  of  failure  of  the  womb  to  contract 
after  calving.  If  that  organ  contracts  naturally,  the  afterbirth  is 
expelled,  the  internal  cavity  of  the  womb  is  nearly  closed,  and  the 
mouth  of  the  organ  becomes  so  narrow  that  the  hand  can  not  be 
forced  through,  much  less  the  whole  mass  of  the  matrix.  When, 
however,  it  fails  to  contract,  the  closed  end  of  one  of  the  horns  may 
fall  into  its  open  internal  cavity,  and  under  the  compression  of  the 
adjacent  intestines,  and  the  straining  and  contraction  of  the  abdomi- 
nal walls,  it  is  forced  farther  and  farther,  until  the  whole  organ  is 
turned  outside  in,  slides  back  through  the  vagina,  and  hangs  from 
the  vulva.  The  womb  can  be  instantly  distinguished  from  the  pro- 
truding vagina  or  bladder  by  the  presence  over  its  whole  surface  of 
fifty  to  one  hundred  mushroom-like  bodies  (cotyledons),  each  2  to  3 
inches  in  diameter,  and  attached  by  a  narrow  neck.  (Pis.  XII, 
XIII.)  When  fully  everted,  it  is  further  recognizable  by  a  large, 
undivided  body  hanging  from  the  vulva,  and  two  horns  or  divisions 
which  hang  down  toward  the  hocks.  In  the  imperfect  eversions  the 
body  of  the  womb  may  be  present  with  two  depressions  leading  into 
the  two  horns.  In  the  cases  of  some  standing  the  organ  has  become 
inflamed  and  gorged  with  blood  until  it  is  as  large  as  a  bushel  basket, 
and  its  surface  has  a  dark-red,  blood-like  hue,  and  tears  and  bleeds 
on  the  slightest  touch.  Still  later  lacerations,  raw  sores,  and  even 
gangrene  are  shown  in  the  mass.  At  the  moment  of  protrusion  the 
general  health  is  not  altered,  but  soon  the  inflammation  and  fever 
with  the  violent  and  continued  straining  induce  exhaustion,  and  the 
cow  lies  down,  making  no  attempt  to  rise. 

Treatment. — Treatment  will  vary  somewhat,  according  to  the  degree 
of  the  eversion.  In  partial  eversion,  with  the  womb  protruding  only 
slightly  from  the  vulva  and  the  cow  standing,  let  an  assistant  pinch 
the  back  to  prevent  straining  while  the  operator  pushes  his  closed  fist 
into  the  center  of  the  mass  and  carries  it  bac  c  through  the  vagina, 
assisting  in  returning  the  surrounding  parts  by  the  other  hand.  In 
more  complete  eversion,  but  with  the  womb  as  yet  of  its  natural  bulk 


212  DISEASES    OP    CATTLE. 

and  consistency,  and  the  cow  standing,  straining  being  checked  by 
pinching  the  back,  a  sheet  is  held  by  two  men  so  as  to  sustain  the 
everted  womb  and  raise  it  to  the  level  of  the  vulva.  It  is  now  sponged 
clean  with  cold  water,  the  cold  being  useful  in  driving  out  the  blood 
and  reducing  the  bulk,  and  finally  it  may  be  sponged  over  with 
laudanum  or  with  a  weak  solution  of  carbolic  acid  (1  dram  to  1  quart 
water). 

The  closed  fist  may  now  be  planted  in  the  rounded  end  of  the  largest 
horn  and  pushed  on  so  as  to  turn  it  back  within  itself  and  carry  it  on 
through  the  vagina,  the  other  hand  being  used  meanwhile  to  assist  in 
the  inversion  and  in  pushing  the  different  masses  in  succession 
within  the  lips  of  the  vulva.  In  case  of  failure,  resort  should  be  had 
at  once  to  a  plan  which  I  have  successfully  followed  for  many  years. 
Take  a  long  linen  or  cotton  bandage,  5  or  6  inches  wide,  and  wind  it 
around  the  protruding  womb  as  tightly  as  it  can  be  drawn,  beginning 
at  the  free  end  and  gradually  covering  the  entire  mass  up  to  the  vulva. 
By  this  means  the  greater  part  of  the  blood  will  be  forced  out  of  the  organ 
and  its  bulk  greatly  reduced,  so  that  its  reduction  is  much  facilitated. 
An  additional  advantage  is  found  in  the  protection  given  to  the  womb 
by  its  investing  bandage  while  it  is  being  pushed  forward  into  the 
vagina  and  abdomen.  In  manipulating  the  exposed  womb  there  is 
always  danger  of  laceration,  but  when  the  organ  is  covered  with  a 
sheet  it  is  next  to  impossible  to  tear  it.  The  subsequent  manipula- 
tion is  as  in  the  other  case,  by  pushing  the  blind  end  forward  within 
itself  with  the  closed  fist  and  carrying  this  on  through  the  vagina 
into  the  abdomen  with  the  constant  assistance  of  the  other  hand.  It 
will  often  be  found  convenient  to  use  the  edge  of  the  left  hand  to 
push  the  outer  part  of  the  protruding  mass  inside  the  lips  of  the  vulva, 
while  the  right  hand  and  arm  are  carrying  the  central  portions  for- 
ward through  the  vagina.  An  intelligent  assistant,  pushing  with  the 
palms  of  both  hands  on  the  outer  portion  of  the  mass,  will  also  afford 
material  assistance.  As  the  womb  is  turned  within  itself  the  wrap- 
ping bandage  will  gradually  loosen,  but  once  the  great  mass  has 
entered  the  passages  it  is  easy  to  compel  the  rest  to  follow,  and  the 
compression  by  the  bandage  is  no  longer  so  important.  When  the 
womb  is  fully  replaced  the  bandage  is  left  in  its  interior  in  a  series  of 
loose  folds,  and  can  be  easily  withdrawn.  It  is  well  to  move  the  hand 
from  side  to  side  to  insure  that  the  two  horns  of  the  womb  are  fully 
extended  and  on  about  the  same  level  before  withdrawing  the  arm 
and  applying  a  truss. 

When  the  womb  has  been  long  everted  and  is  gorged  with  blood, 
inflamed,  and  friable  there  is  often  the  additional  disadvantage  that 
the  animal  is  unable  or  unwilling  to  rise.  When  lying  down  the 
straining  can  not  be  controlled  so  effectually,  and  the  compression  of 


DISEASES    FOLLOWING    PARTURITION.  213 

the  belly  is  so  great  as  to  prove  a  serious  obstacle  to  reduction,  even 
in  the  absence  of  straining.  The  straining  may  be  checked  by  2  or  3 
ounces  of  laudanum  or  2  ounces  of  chloral  hydrate,  or  by  inhalation 
of  chloroform  to  insensibility,  and  then  by  raising  the  hind  parts  on 
straw  bundles  the  gravitation  of  the  abdominal  organs  forward  may 
be  made  to  lessen  the  resistance.  If  success  can  not  be  had  in  this 
way,  the  cow  may  be  further  turned  on  her  back,  and  if  return  is  still 
impossible,  the  hind  limbs  may  be  tied  together  and  drawn  up  to  a 
beam  overhead  by  the  aid  of  a  pulley.  In  this  positiou,  in  place  of 
the  pressure  backward  of  the  bowels  proving  a  hindrance,  their  gravi- 
tation forward  proves  a  most  material  help  to  reduction.  In  seeking 
to  return  the  womb  the  sponging  with  ice-cold  water,  the  raising 
on  a  sheet,  and  the  wrapping  in  a  tight  bandage  should  be  resorted 
to.  Another  method  which  is  especially  commendable  in  these 
inflamed  conditions  of  the  womb  is  to  bring  a  piece  of  linen  sheet, 
30  by  36  inches,  under  the  womb,  with  its  anterior  border  close  up  to 
the  vulva,  then  turn  the  posterior  border  upward  and  forward  over 
the  organ,  and  cross  the  two  ends  over  this  and  over  each  other  above. 
The  ends  of  the  sheet  are  steadily  drawn,  so  as  to  tighten  its  hold  on 
the  womb,  which  is  thus  held  on  the  level  of  the  vulva  or  above,  and 
cold  water  is  constantly  poured  upon  the  mass.  The  reduction  is 
further  sought  by  compression  of  the  mass  with  the  palms  applied 
outside  the  sheet.  Fifteen  or  twenty  minutes  are  usually  sufficient 
to  cause  the  return  of  the  womb,  provided  straining  is  prevented  by 
pinching  of  the  back  or  otherwise. 

In  old  and  aggravated  cases,  with  the  womb  torn,  bruised,  or  even 
gangrenous,  the  only  resort  is  to  amputate  the  entire  mass.  This  is 
done  by  tying  a  strong  waxed  cord  around  the  protruding  mass  close 
up  to  the  vulva,  winding  the  cord  around  pieces  of  wood,  so  as  to  draw 
it  as  tightly  as  possible,  cutting  off  the  organ  below  this  ligature, 
tying  a  thread  on  any  artery  that  may  still  bleed,  and  returning  the 
stump  well  into  the  vagina. 

Retention  of  the  returned  womb  is  the  next  point,  and  this  is  most 
easily  accomplished  by  a  rope  truss.  Take  two  ropes,  each  about  18 
feet  long  and  an  inch  in  thickness.  Double  each  rope  at  its  middle, 
and  lay  the  one  above  the  other  at  the  bend  so  as  to  form  an  ovoid  of 
about  8  inches  in  its  long  diameter.  Twist  each  end  of  the  one  rope 
twice  around  the  other,  so  that  this  ovoid  will  remain  when  they  are 
drawn  tight.  (Pis.  XXII  and  XXIII.)  Tie  a  strap  or  rope  around  the 
back  part  of  the  neck  and  a  surcingle  around  the  body.  Place  the  rope 
truss  on  the  animal  so  that  the  ovoid  ring  shall  surround  the  vulva, 
the  two  ascending  ropes  on  the  right  and  left  of  the  tail  and  the  two 
descending  ones  down  inside  the  thighs  on  the  right  and  left  of  the 
udder.  These  descending  ropes  are  carried  forward  on  the  sides  of 
the  body  and  tied  to  the  surcingle  and  to  the  neck  collar.  The 
ascending  ropes  proceed  forward  on  the  middle  of  the  back,  twisting 


214  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

over  each  other,  and  are  tied  to  the  surcingle  and  collar,  the  upper 
and  lower  ropes  are  drawn  so  tightly  that  the  rope  ring  is  made  to 
prsss  firmly  all  around  the  vulva  without  risk  of  displacement.  This 
should  be  worn  for  several  days,  until  the  womb  shall  have  closed 
and  all  risk  of  further  eversion  is  at  an  end.  Variations  of  this 
device  are  found  in  the  use  of  a  narrow  triangle  of  iron  applied 
around  the  vulva  and  fixed  by  a  similar  arrangement  of  ropes,  sur- 
cingle, and  collar  (PL  XXIII,  fig.  3),  a  common  crupper  similarly 
held  around  the  vulva  (PL  XXII,  fig.  1),  stitches  through  the  vulva, 
and  wires  inserted  through  the  skin  on  the  two  hips  (PL  XXIII,  fig.  2), 
so  that  they  will  cross  behind  the  vulva;  also  pessaries  of  various 
kinds  inserted  in  the  vagina.  None  of  these,  however,  presents  any 
advantage  over  the  simple  and  comparatively  painless  rope  truss 
described  above.  Such  additional  precautions  as  keeping  the  cow  in 
a  stall  higher  behind  than  in  front,  and  seeing  that  the  diet  is  slightly 
laxative  and  nonstimulating  may  be  named.  If  straining  is  persistent, 
ounce  doses  of  laudanum  may  be  employed  twice  a  day,  and  the  same 
may  be  injected  into  the  vagina. 

If  the  womb  has  been  cut  off,  injections  of  a  solution  of  a  teaspoon- 
ful  of  carbolic  acid  in  a  quart  of  water  should  be  employed  daily,  or 
more  frequently,  until  the  discharge  ceases. 

EVERSION    OF   THE    BLADDER. 

A  genuine  eversion  of  the  bladder  is  almost  unknown  in  the  cow, 
owing  to  the  extreme  narrowness  of  its  mouth.  The  protrusion  of  the 
bladder,  however,  through  a  laceration  in  the  floor  of  the  vagina  sus- 
tained in  calving,  and  its  subsequent  protrusion  through  the  vulva,  is 
sometimes  met  with.  In  this  case  the  protruding  bladder  contains 
urine,  which  can  never  be  the  case  in  a  real  eversion,  in  which  the 
inner  surface  of  the  bladder  and  the  openings  of  the  ureters  are  both 
exposed  outside  the  vulva.  The  presence  of  a  bag  containing  water, 
which  is  connected  with  the  floor  of  the  vagina,  will  serve  to  identify 
this  condition.  If  the  position  of  the  bladder  in  the  vulva  renders  it 
impracticable  to  pass  a  catheter  to  draw  off  the  urine,  pierce  the 
organ  with  the  nozzle  of  a  hypodermic  syringe,  or  even  a  very  small 
trocar  and  canula,  and  draw  off  the  water,  when  it  will  be  found  an 
easy  matter  to  return  the  bladder  to  its  place.  The  rent  in  the  vagina 
can  be  stitched  up,  but  as  there  would  be  risk  in  any  subsequent 
calving  it  is  best  to  prepare  the  cow  for  the  butcher, 

RUPTURE   OF   THE   BLADDER. 

This  has  been  known  to  occur  in  protracted  parturition  when  the 
fetus  finally  passed  while  the  bladder  was  full.  The  symptoms  are 
those  of  complete  suppression  of  urine  and  tenderness  of  the  abdo- 
men, with  a  steady  accumulation  of  liquid  and  fluctuation  on  handling 


DISEASES    FOLLOWING    PARTURITION.  215 

its  lower  part.  If  the  hand  is  introduced  into  the  vagina  it  is  felt  to 
be  hot  and  tender,  and  perhaps  slightly  swollen  along  its  floor.  As  a 
final  test,  if  the  lower  fluctuating  part  of  the  abdomen  is  punctured 
with  a  hypodermic  needle,  a  straw-colored  liquid  of  an  urinous  odor 
flows  out.  The  condition  has  been  considered  as  past  hope.  The 
only  chance  for  recovery  would  be  in  opening  the  abdomen,  evacuat- 
ing the  liquid,  and  stitching  up  the  rent  in  the  bladder,  but  at  such 
a  season  and  with  inflammation  already  started  there  would  be  little 

to  hope  for. 

RUPTURE   OF   THE   WOMB. 

When  the  womb  has  been  rendered  friable  by  disease  this  may  occur 
in  the  course  of  the  labor,  but  much  more  frequently  it  occurs  from 
violence  sustained  in  attempting  assistance  in  difficult  parturition. 
It  is  also  liable  to  occur  during  eversion  of  the  organ  through  efforts 
to  replace  it. 

If  it  happens  while  the  calf  is  still  in  the  womb,  it  will  usually  bleed 
freely  and  continuously  until  the  fetus  has  been  extracted,  so  that  the 
womb  can  contract  on  itself  and  expel  its  excess  of  blood.  Another 
danger  is  that  in  case  of  a  large  rent  the  calf  may  escape  into  the  cav- 
ity of  the  abdomen  and  parturition  become  impossible.  Still  another 
danger  is  that  of  the  introduction  of  septic  germs  and  the  setting  up  of 
a  fatal  inflammation  of  the  lining  membrane  of  the  belly  (peritoneum). 
Still  another  is  the  escape  of  the  small  intestine  through  the  rent  and 
on  through  the  vagina  and  vulva,  so  as  to  protrude  externally  and 
receive  perhaps  fatal  injuries.  In  case  of  rupture  before  calving,  that 
act  should  be  completed  as  rapidly  and  carefully  as  possible,  the  fetal 
membranes  removed  and  the  contraction  of  the  womb  sought  by  dash- 
ing cold  water  on  the  loins,  the  right  flank,  or  the  vulva.  If  the  calf 
has  escaped  into  the  abdomen  and  can  not  be  brought  through  the 
natural  channels  it  may  be  permissible  to  fix  the  animal  and  extract 
it  through  the  side,  as  in  the  Csesarian  section.  If  the  laceration  has 
happened  during  eversion  of  the  womb  it  is  usually  less  redoubtable, 
because  the  womb  contracts  more  readily  under  the  stimulus  of  the 
cold  air  so  recently  applied.  In  case  the  abdomen  has  been  laid  open 
it  is  well  to  stitch  up  the  rent,  but  if  not  it  should  be  left  to  nature,  and 
will  often  heal  satisfactorily,  the  cow  even  breeding  successfully  in 
after  years. 

LACERATIONS  AND  RUPTURES  OF  THE  VAGINA. 

Rupture  of  the  floor  of  the  vagina  has  been  already  referred  to  as 
allowing  the  protrusion  of  the  bladder.  Laceration  of  the  roof  of  this 
passage  is  also  met  with  as  the  result  of  deviations  of  the  hind  limbs 
and  feet  upward  when  the  calf  lies  on  its  back.  In  some  such  cases 
the  opening  passes  clear  into  the  rectum,  or  the  foot  may  even  pass 
out  through  the  anus,  so  that  that  opening  and  the  vulva  are  laid  open 
into  one. 


216  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

Simple  superficial  lacerations  of  the  vaginal  walls  are  not  usually 
serious,  and  heal  readily  unless  septic  inflammation  sets  in,  in  which 
case  the  cow  is  likely  to  perish.  They  may  be  treated  with  soothing 
and  antiseptic  injections,  such  as  carbolic  acid,  1  dram;  water,  1 
quart. 

The  more  serious  injuries  depend  on  the  complications.  Rupture 
of  the  anterior  part  of  the  canal,  close  to  the  mouth  of  the  womb,  may 
lead  to  the  introduction  of  infecting  germs  into  the  cavity  of  the  abdo- 
men, or  protrusion  of  the  bowel  through  the  rent  and  externally,  either 
of  which  is  likely  to  prove  fatal.  If  both  these  conditions  are  escaped 
the  wound  may  heal  spontaneously.  Rupture  into  the  bladder  may 
lead  to  nothing  worse  than  a  constant  dribbling  of  urine  from  the 
vulva.  The  cow  should  be  fattened  if  she  survives.  Rupture  into 
the  rectum  will  entail  a  constant  escape  of  feces  through  the  vulva, 
and,  of  course,  the  same  condition  exists  when  the  anus  as  well  has 
been  torn  open.  I  have  successfully  sewed  up  an  opening  of  this 
kind  in  the  mare,  but  in  the  cow  it  is  probably  better  to  prepare  for 
the  butcher. 

CLOTS   OF   BLOOD   IN   THE   WALLS   OF  THE   VAGINA. 

During  calving  the  vagina  may  be  bruised  so  as  to  cause  escape  of 
blood  beneath  the  mucous  membrane  and  its  coagulation  into  large 
bulging  clots.  The  vulva  may  appear  swollen,  and  on  separating  its 
lips  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  vagina  is  seen  to  be  raised  into 
irregular  rounded  swellings  of  a  dark-blue  or  black  color,  and  which 
pit  on  pressure  of  the  finger.  If  the  accumlation  of  blood  is  not 
extensive  it  may  be  reabsorbed,  but  if  abundant  it  may  lead  to  irri- 
tation and  dangerous  inflammation,  and  should  be  incised  with  a 
lancet  and  the  clots  cleared  out.  The  wounds  may  then  be  sponged 
twice  a  day  with  a  lotion  made  with  1  dram  sulphate  of  zinc,  1  dram 
carbolic  acid,  and  1  quart  water. 

RETAINED    AFTERBIRTH. 

The  cow,  of  all  our  domestic  animals,  is  especially  subject  to  this 
accident.  This  may  be  partly  accounted  for  by  the  firm  connections 
established  through  the  fifty  to  one  hundred  cotyledons  (PI.  XIII, 
fig.  2)  in  which  the  fetal  membranes  dovetail  with  the  follicles  of  the 
womb.  It  is  also  most  liable  to  occur  after  abortion,  in  which  prepa- 
ration has  not  been  made  by  fatty  degeneration  for  the  severance  of 
these  close  connections.  In  the  occurrence  of  inflammation,  causing 
the  formation  of  new  tissue  between  the  membranes  and  the  womb, 
we  find  the  occasion  of  unnaturally  firm  adhesions  which  prevent  the 
spontaneous  detachment  of  the  membranes.  Again,  in  low  conditions 
of  health  and  an  imperfect  power  of  contraction  we  find  a  potent 
cause  of  retention,  the  general  debility  showing  particularly  in  the 
indisposition  of  the  womb  to  contract,  after  calving,  with  sufficient 


DISEASES    FOLLOWING    PAETUKITION.  217 

energy  to  expel  the  afterbirth.  Hence  we  find  the  condition  common 
with  insufficient  or  innutrions  food,  and  in  years  or  localities  in  which 
the  fodder  has  suffered  from  weather.  Ergoted  (PI.  V),  smutty,  or 
musty  fodder,  by  causing  abortion,  is  a  frequent  cause  of  retention. 
Old  cows  are  more  subject  than  young  ones,  probably  because  of 
diminishing  vigor.  A  temporary  retention  is  sometimes  due  to  a  too 
rapid  closure  of  the  neck  of  the  womb  after  calving,  causing  strangu- 
lation and  imprisonment  of  the  membranes.  Conditions  favoring  this 
are  the  drinking  of  cold  (iced)  water,  the  eating  of  cold  food  (frosted 
roots),  and  (through  sympathy  between  udder  and  womb)  a  too 
prompt  sucking  by  the  calf  or  milking  by  the  attendant. 

Symptoms. — The  symptoms  of  retention  of  the  afterbirth  are  usu- 
ally only  too  evident,  as  the  membranes  hang  from  the  vulva  and  rot 
away  gradually,  causing  the  most  offensive  odor  throughout  the  build- 
ing. When  retained  within  the  womb  by  closure  of  its  mouth  and 
similarly  in  cases  in  which  the  protruded  part  has  rotted  off,  the 
decomposition  continues  and  the  fetid  products  escaping  by  the  vulva 
appear  in  offensively  smelling  pools  on  the  floor,  and  mat  together  the 
hairs  near  the  root  of  the  tail.  The  septic  materials  retained  in  the 
womb  cause  inflammation  of  its  lining  membrane,  and  this,  together 
with  the  absorption  into  the  blood  of  the  products  of  putrefaction, 
leads  to  ill  health,  emaciation,  and  drying  up  of  the  milk. 

Treatment. — Treatment  will  vary  according  to  the  conditions. 
When  the  cow  is  in  low  condition  or  when  retention  is  connected 
with  drinking  iced  water  or  eating  frozen  food,  hot  drinks  and  hot 
mashes  of  wheat  bran  or  other  aliment  may  be  all  sufficient.  If, 
along  with  the  above  conditions,  the  bowels  are  somewhat  confined, 
an  ounce  of  ground  ginger,  or  half  an  ounce  of  black  pepper, 
given  with  a  quart  of  sweet  oil,  or  1|  pounds  of  Glauber's  salts, 
the  latter  in  at  least  4  quarts  of  warm  water,  will  often  prove  effect- 
ual. A  bottle  or  two  of  flaxseed  tea,  made  by  prolonged  boiling, 
should  also  be  given  at  frequent  intervals.  Other  stimulants,  like 
rue,  savin,  laurel,  and  carminitives  like  anise,  cumin,  and  coriander 
are  preferred  by  some,  but  with  very  questionable  reason,  the  more 
so  that  the  first  three  are  not  without  danger.  Ergot  of  rye,  1  ounce, 
or  extract  of  the  same,  1  dram,  may  be  resorted  to  to  induce  contrac- 
tion of  the  womb.  The  mechanical  extraction  of  the  membranes  is, 
however,  often  called  for;  of  this  there  are  several  methods.  The 
simplest  is  to  hang  a  weight  of  1  or  2  pounds  to  the  hanging  portion, 
and  allow  this,  by  its  constant  dragging  and  by  its  jerking  effect 
when  the  cow  moves,  to  pull  the  membranes  from  their  attachments 
and  to  stimulate  the  womb  to  expulsive  contractions.  But  in  the 
neglected  cases,  when  the  dependant  mass  is  already  badly  decom- 
posed, it  is  liable  to  tear  across  under  the  added  weight,  leaving  a 
portion  of  the  offensive  material  imprisoned  in  the  womb.  Again, 
this  uncontrolled  dragging  upon  a  relaxed  womb  will  (in  exceptional 


218  DISEASES    OP    CATTLE. 

cases  only,  it  is  true)  cause  it  to  become  everted  and  to  protrude 
in  this  condition  from  the  vulva. 

A  second  resort  is  to  seize  the  dependant  part  of  the  afterbirth 
between  two  sticks,  and  roll  it  up  on  these  until  they  lie  against  the 
vulva;  then,  by  careful  traction,  accompanied  by  slight  jerking  move- 
ments from  side  to  side,  the  womb  is  stimulated  to  expulsive  contrac- 
tions and  the  afterbirth  is  wound  up  more  and  more  on  the  sticks 
until  finally  its  last  connections  with  the  womb  are  severed  and  the 
remainder  is  expelled  suddenly  en  masse.  It  is  quite  evident  that 
neglected  cases  with  putrid  membranes  are  poor  subjects  for  this 
method,  as  the  afterbirth  is  liable  to  tear  across,  leaving  a  mass  in 
the  womb.  During  the  progress  of  the  work  any  indication  of  tear- 
ing is  the  signal  to  stop  and  proceed  with  greater  caution  or  alto- 
gether abandon  the  attempt  in  this  way. 

The  third  method  (that  with  the  skilled  hand)  is  the  most  promptly 
and  certainly  successful.  For  this  the  operator  had  best  strip  and 
dress  as  for  a  parturition  case.  Again,  the  operation  should  be  under- 
taken within  twenty-four  hours  after  calving,  since  later  the  mouth 
of  the  womb  may  be  so  closed  that  it  becomes  difficult  to  introduce 
the  hand.  The  operator  should  smear  his  arms  with  carbolized  lard 
or  vaseline  to  protect  them  against  infection,  and  particularly  in 
delayed  cases  with  putrid  membranes.  An  assistant  holds  the  tail  to 
one  side  while  the  operator  seizes  the  hanging  afterbirth  with  the  left 
hand,  while  he  introduces  the  right  along  the  right  side  of  the  vagina 
and  womb,  letting  the  membranes  slide  through  his  palm  until  he 
reaches  the  first  cotyledon  to  which  they  remain  adherent.  In  case 
no  such  connection  is  within  reach,  gentle  traction  is  made  on  the 
membranes  with  the  left  hand  until  the  deeper  parts  of  the  womb  are 
brought  within  reach  and  the  attachments  to  the  cotyledons  can  be 
reached.  Then  the  soft  projection  of  the  membrane,  which  is  attached 
to  the  firm  fungus-shaped  cotyledon  on  the  inner  surface  of  the  womb, 
is  seized  by  the  little  finger,  and  the  other  fingers  and  thumb  are  closed 
on  it  so  as  to  tear  it  out  from  its  connections.  To  explain  this  it  is 
only  necessary  to  say  that  the  projection  from  the  membrane  is  cov- 
ered by  soft  conical  processes,  which  are  received  into  cavities  of  a 
corresponding  size  on  the  summit  of  the  firm  mushroom-shaped  cotyle- 
don growing  from  the  inner  surface  of  the  womb.  To  draw  upon,  the 
former,  therefore,  is  to  extract  its  soft  villous  processes  from  within 
the  follicles  or  cavities  of  the  other.  (PI.  XIII,  fig.  2.)  If  it  is  at 
times  difficult  to  start  this  extraction  it  may  be  necessary  to  get  the 
finger  nail  inserted  between  the  two,  and  once  started  the  finger  may 
be  pushed  on,  lifting  all  the  villi  in  turn  out  of  their  cavities.  This 
process  of  separating  the  cotyledons  must  be  carefully  conducted,  one 
after  another,  until  the  last  has  been  detached  and  the  afterbirth 
comes  freely  out  of  the  passages.  I  have  never  found  any  evil  result 
from  the  removal  of  the  whole  mass  at  one  operation,  but  Shaack 


DISEASES    FOLLOWING    PARTURITION.  219 

mentions  the  eversion  of  the  womb  as  the  possible  result  of  the  nec- 
essary traction,  and  in  cases  in  which  those  in  the  most  distant  part 
of  the  horn  of  the  womb  can  not  be  easily  reached,  he  advises  to  attach 
a  cord  to  the  membranes  inside  the  vulva,  letting  it  hang  out  behind, 
and  to  cut  off  the  membranes  below  the  cord.  Then,  after  two  or 
three  days'  delay,  he  extracts  the  remainder,  now  softened  and  easily 
detached.  If  carefully  conducted,  so  as  not  to  tear  the  cotyledons  of 
the  womb,  the  operation  is  eminently  successful ;  the  cow  suffers  little, 
and  the  straining  roused  by  the  manipulations  soon  subsides.  Keep- 
ing in  a  quiet,  dark  place,  or  driving  a  short  distance  at  a  walking 
pace,  will  serve  to  quiet  these.  When  the  membranes  have  been  with- 
drawn, the  hand,  half  closed,  may  be  used  to  draw  out  of  the  womb 
the  offensive  liquid  that  has  collected.  If  the  case  is  a  neglected  one, 
and  the  discharge  is  very  offensive,  the  womb  must  be  injected  as  for 
leucorrhea. 

INFLAMMATION   OF   THE    VAGINA    (VAGINITIS). 

This  may  occur  independently  of  inflammation  of  the  womb,  and 
usually  as  the  result  of  bruises,  lacerations,  or  other  injuries  sustained 
during  calving.  It  will  be  shown  by  swelling  of  the  lips  of  the  vulva, 
which,  together  with  their  lining  membrane,  become  of  a  dark-red  or 
leaden  hue,  and  the  mucous  discharge  increases  and  becomes  whitish 
or  purulent,  and  it  may  be  fetid.  Slight  cases  recover  spontaneously, 
or  under  warm  fomentations  or  mild  astringent  injections  (ateaspoon- 
ful  of  carbolic  acid  in  a  quart  of  water),  but  severe  cases  may  go  on 
to  the  formation  of  large  sores  (ulcers),  or  considerable  portions  of  the 
mucous  membrane  may  die  and  slough  off.  Baumeister  records  two 
cases  of  diphtheritic  vaginitis,  the  second  case  in  a  cow  four  weeks 
calved,  contracted  from  the  first  in  a  newly  calved  cow.  Both  proved 
fatal,  with  formation  of  false  membranes  as  far  as  the  interior  of  the 
womb.  In  all  severe  cases  the  antiseptic  injections  must'  be  applied 
most  assiduously.  The  carbolic  acid  may  be  increased  to  one-half 
ounce  to  a  quart,  or  chlorine  water,  or  peroxide  of  hydrogen  solution 
may  be  injected  at  least  three  times  a  day.  Hyposulphite  of  soda,  1 
ounce  to  a  quart  of  water,  is  an  excellent  application,  and  the  same 
amount  may  be  given  by  the  mouth. 

LEUCORRHEA  (MUCOPURULENT  DISCHARGE   FROM  THE  PASSAGES). 

This  is  due  to  a  continued  or  chronic  inflammation  of  the  womb,  or 
the  vagina,  or  both.  It  usually  results  from  injuries  sustained  in  calv- 
ing, or  from  irritation  by  putrid  matters  in  connection  with  retained 
afterbirth,  or  from  the  use  of  some  object  in  the  vagina  (pessary)  to 
prevent  eversion  of  the  womb.  Exposure  to  cold  or  other  cause  of 
disturbance  of  the  health  may  affect  an  organ  so  susceptible  as  this 
at  the  time  of  parturition  so  as  to  cause  inflammation. 

Symptoms. — The  main  symptom  is  the  glairy  white  discharge  flow- 


220  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

ing  constantly  or  intermittently  (when  the  cow  lies  down),  soiling  the 
tail  and  matting  its  hairs  and  those  of  the  vulva.  When  the  lips  of 
the  vulva  are  drawn  apart  the  mucous  membrane  is  seen  to  be  red, 
with  minute  elevations,  or  pale  and  smooth.  The  health  may  not  suffer 
at  first,  but  if  the  discharge  continues  and  is  putrid  the  health  fails, 
the  milk  shrinks,  and  flesh  is  lost.  If  the  womb  is  involved  the  hand 
introduced  into  the  vagina  may  detect  the  mouth  of  the  womb  slightly 
open  and  the  liquid  collected  within  its  cavity.  Examination  with  the 
oiled  hand  in  the  rectum  may  detect  the  outline  of  the  womb  beneath, 
somewhat  enlarged,  and  fluctuating  under  the  touch  from  contained 
fluid.  In  some  cases  heat  is  more  frequent  or  intense  than  natural, 
but  the  animal  rarely  conceives  when  served,  and,  if  she  does,  is  likely 
to  abort. 

Treatment. — Treatment  with  the  injections  advised  for  vaginitis  is 
successful  in  mild  or  recent  cases.  In  obstinate  ones  stronger  solu- 
tions may  be  used  after  the  womb  has  been  washed  out  by  a  stream 
of  tepid  water  until  it  comes  clear.  A  rubber  tube  is  inserted  into 
the  womb,  a  funnel  placed  in  its  raised  end,  and  the  water,  and  after- 
wards the  solution,  poured  slowly  through  this.  If  the  neck  of  the 
womb  is  so  close  that  the  liquid  can  not  escape,  a  second  tube  may 
be  inserted  to  drain  it  off.  As  injections  may  be  used  chlorid  of 
zinc,  one-half  dram  to  the  quart  of  water,  or  sulphate  of  iron,  1  dram 
to  the  quart.  Three  drams  of  sulphate  of  iron  and  one-half  ounce 
ground  ginger  may  also  be  given  in  the  food  daily. 

INFLAMMATION    OF    THE    WOMB    (METRITIS,    INFLAMMATION    OF    WOMB 
AND   ABDOMEN,  OR   METROPERITONITIS). 

•  Inflammation  of  the  womb  may  be  slight  or  violent,  simple  or  asso- 
ciated with  putrefaction  of  its  liquid  contents  and  general  poisoning, 
or  it  may  extend  so  that  the  inflammation  affects  the  lining  membrane 
of  the  whole  abdominal  cavity.  In  the  last  two  cases  the  malady  is  a 
very  grave  one. 

Causes. — The  causes  are  largely  the  same  as  those  causing  inflam- 
mation of  the  vagina.  Greater  importance  must,  however,  be  attached 
to  exposure  to  cold  and  wet  and  septic  infection. 

Symptoms. — The  symptoms  appear  two  or  three  days  after  calving, 
when  the  cow  may  be  seen  to  shiver,  or  the  hair  stands  erect,  espe- 
cially along  the  spine,  and  the  horns,  ears,  and  limbs  are  cold.  The 
temperature  in  the  rectum  is  elevated  by  one  or  two  degrees,  the  pulse 
is  small,  hard,  and  rapid  (70  to  100),  appetite  is  lost,  rumination 
ceases,  and  the  milk  shrinks  in  quantity  or  is  entirely  arrested,  and 
the  breathing  is  hurried.  The  hind  limbs  may  shift  uneasily,  the  tail 
be  twisted,  the  head  and  eyes  turn  to  the  right  flank,  and  the  teeth 
are  ground.  With  the  flush  of  heat  to  the  horns  and  other  extremi- 
ties, there  is  redness  of  the  eyes,  nose,  and  mouth,  and  usually  a  dark 
redness  about  the  vulva.     Pressure  on  the  right  flank  gives  manifest 


DISEASES    FOLLOWING    PARTURITION.  221 

pain,  causing  moaning  or  grunting,  and  the  hind  limbs  are  moved 
stiffly,  extremely  so  if  the  general  lining  of  the  abdomen  is  involved. 
In  severe  cases  the  cow  lies  down  and  can  not  be  made  to  rise.  There 
is  usually  marked  thirst,  the  bowels  are  costive,  and  dung  is  passed 
with  pain  and  effort.  The  hand  inserted  into  the  vagina  perceives 
the  increased  heat,  and  when  the  neck  of  the  womb  is  touched  the 
cow  winces  with  pain.  Examination  through  the  rectum  detects 
enlargement  and  tenderness  of  the  womb.  The  discharge  from  the 
vulva  is  at  first  watery,  but  becomes  thick,  yellow,  and  finally  red  or 
brown,  with  a  heavy  or  fetid  odor.  Some  cases  recover  speedily  and 
may  be  almost  well  in  a  couple  of  days;  a  large  proportion  perish 
within  two  days  of  the  attack,  and  some  merge  into  the  chronic  form, 
terminating  in  leucorrhea.  In  the  worst  cases  there  is  local  septic 
infection  and  ulceration,  or  even  gangrene  of  the  parts,  or  there  is 
general  septicemia,  or  the  inflammation  involving  the  veins  of  the 
womb  causes  coagulation  of  the  blood  contained  in  them,  and  the 
washing  out  of  the  clots  to  the  right  heart  and  lungs  leads  to  blocking 
of  the  vessels  in  the  latter  and  complicating  pneumonia.  Inflamma- 
tions of  the  womb  and  passages  after  calving  are  always  liable  to 
these  complications,  and  consequently  to  a  fatal  issue.  Franck 
records  three  instances  of  rapidly  fatal  metritis  in  cows,  all  of  which 
had  been  poisoned  from  an  adjacent  cow  with  retained  and  putrid 
afterbirth.     Others  have  had  similar  cases. 

Treatment. — Treatment  in  the  slight  cases  of  simple  inflammation 
does  not  differ  much  from  that  adopted  for  vaginitis,  only  care  must 
be  taken  that  the  astringent  and  antiseptic  injections  are  made  to 
penetrate  into  the  womb.  After  having  washed  out  the  womb  a  solu- 
tion of  chloride  of  lime  or  permanganate  of  potash  (one-half  ounce  to  1 
quart  of  water),  with  an  ounce  each  of  glycerin  and  laudanum  to  ren- 
der it  more  soothing,  will  often  answer  every  purpose.  It  is  usually 
desirable  to  open  the  bowels  with  1£  pounds  Glauber's  salts  and  1 
ounce  ginger  in  4  quarts  of  warm  water  and  to  apply  fomentations  of 
warm  water  or  even  mustard  poultices  or  turpentine  to  the  right  flank. 

In  the  violent  attacks  with  high  temperature  and  much  prostration, 
besides  the  salts  agents  must  be  given  to  lower  the  temperature  and 
counteract  septic  poisoning.  Salicylate  of  soda  one-half  ounce,  or 
quinia  2  drams,  repeated  every  four  hours,  will  help  in  both  ways,  or 
ounce  doses  of  hyposulphite  of  soda  or  dram  doses  of  carbolic  acid 
may  be  given  at  equal  intervals  until  six  doses  have  been  taken. 
Tincture  of  aconite  has  often  been  used  in  20-drop  doses  every  six 
hours.  If  the  temperature  rises  to  106°  or  107°  F.,  it  must  be  met  by 
the  direct  application  of  cold  or  iced  water  to  the  surface.  The  animal 
may  be  covered  with  wet  sheets  and  cold  water  poured  on  these  at 
intervals  until  the  temperature  in  the  rectum  is  lowered  to  102°  F. 
In  summer  the  cow  may  be  allowed  to  dry  spontaneously,  while  in 
winter  it  should  be  rubbed  dry  and  blanketed.     Even  in  the  absence 


222  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

of  high  temperature  much  good  may  be  obtained  from  the  soothing 
influence  of  a  wet  sheet  covering  the  loins  and  flanks  and  well  cov- 
ered at  all  points  by  a  dry  one.  This  may  be  followed  next  day  by  a 
free  application  of  mustard  and  oil  of  turpentine.  When  the  animal 
shows  extreme  prostration  alcohol  (1  pint)  or  carbonate  of  ammonia 
(1  ounce)  may  be  given  to  tide  over  the  danger,  but  such  cases  usually 
perish. 

In  this  disease,  even  more  than  in  difficult  and  protracted  parturi- 
tion or  retained  placenta,  the  attendants  must  carefully  guard  against 
the  infection  of  their  hands  and  arms  from  the  diseased  parts.  The 
hand  and  arm  before  entering  the  passages  should  always  be  well 
smeared  with  lard  impregnated  with  carbolic  acid. 

MILK  FEVER  (PARTURITION  FEVER,    PARTURIENT  APOPLEXY,  OR  PAR- 
TURIENT  COLLAPSE). 

This  disease  is  not  only  peculiar  to  the  cow,  but  it  may  be  said  to 
be  virtually  confined  to  the  improved  and  plethoric  cow.  It  further 
occurs  only  at  or  near  the  time  of  calving.  Indeed,  these  two  factors, 
calving  and  plethora,  may  be  set  apart  as  preeminently  the  causes  of 
this  disease.  It  is  the  disease  of  cows  that  have  been  improved  in 
the  direction  of  early  maturity,  power  of  rapid  fattening,  or  a  heavy 
yield  of  milk,  and  hence  it  is  characteristic  of  those  having  great 
appetites  and  extraordinary  power  of  digestion.  The  heavy  milking 
breeds  are  especially  its  victims,  as  in  these  the  demand  for  the  daily 
yield  of  50  to  100  pounds  of  milk  means  even  more  than  a  daily  increase 
of  2  to  3  pounds  of  body  weight,  mainly  fat.  The  victims  are  not 
always  fat  when  attacked,  but  they  are  cows  having  enormous  powers 
of  digestion,  and  which  have  been  fed  heavily  at  the  time.  Hence 
the  stall-fed,  city  dairy  cow,  and  the  farm  cow  on  a  rich  clover  pas- 
ture in  June  or  July,  are  especially  subject.  The  condition  of  the 
blood  globules  in  the  suffering  cow  attests  the  extreme  richness  and 
density  of  the  blood,  yet  this  peculiarity  appears  to  have  entirely 
escaped  the  notice  of  veterinary  writers.  I  have  never  examined  the 
blood  of  a  victim  of  this  disease  without  finding  the  red-blood  globules 
reduced  to  little  more  than  one-half  their  usual  size.  Now,  these 
globules  expand  or  contract  according  to  the  density  of  the  liquid  in 
which  they  float.  If  we  dilute  the  blood  with  water  they  will  expand 
until  they  burst,  whereas  if  solids,  such  as  salt  or  albumen,  are  added 
they  shrink  to  a  large  extent.  Their  small  size,  therefore,  in  parturi- 
tion fever  indicates  the  extreme  richness  of  the  blood,  or,  in  other 
words,  plethora. 

Confinement  in  the  stall  is  an  accessory  cause,  partly  because  stabled 
cattle  are  highly  fed,  partly  because  the  air  is  hotter  and  fouler,  and 
partly  because  there  is  no  expenditure  by  exercise  of  the  rich  prod- 
ucts of  digestion. 

High  temperature  is  conducive  to  the  malady,  though  the  extreme 


DISEASES    FOLLOWING    PARTURITION.  223 

colds  of  winter  are  no  protection  against  it.  Heat,  however,  conduces 
to  fever,  and  fever  means  lessened  secretion,  which  means  a  plethoric 
state  of  the  circulation.  The  heats  of  summer  are,  however,  often 
only  a  coincidence  of  the  real  cause,  the  mature  rich  pastures,  and 
especially  the  clover  ones,  being  the  greater. 

Electrical  disturbances  have  an  influence  of  a  similar  kind,  disturb- 
ing the  functions  of  the  body  and  favoring  sudden  variations  in  the 
circulation.  A  succession  of  cases  of  the  malady  often  accompany  or 
precede  a  change  of  weather  from  dry  to  wet,  from  a  low  to  a  high 
barometric  pressure. 

Costiveness,  which  is  the  usual  concomitant  of  fever,  may  in  a  case 
of  this  kind  become  an  accessory  cause,  the  retention  in  the  blood  of 
what  should  have  passed  off  by  the  bowels  tending  to  increase  the 
fullness  of  the  blood  vessels  and  the  density  of  the  blood. 

Mature  age  is  a  very  strong  accessory  cause.  The  disease  never 
occurs  with  the  first  parturition,  and  rarely  with  the  second.  It 
appears  with  the  third,  fourth,  fifth,  or  sixth — after  the  growth  of  the 
cow  has  ceased  and  when  all  her  powers  are  devoted  to  the  produc- 
tion of  milk. 

Calving  is  an  essential  condition,  as  the  disturbance  of  the  circula- 
tion consequent  on  the  contraction  of  the  womb  and  the  expulsion 
into  the  general  circulation  of  the  enormous  mass  of  blood  hitherto 
circulating  in  the  walls  of  the  womb  fills  to  repletion  the  vessels  of 
the  rest  of  the  body  and  very  greatly  intensifies  the  already  existing 
plethora.  If  this  is  not  speedily  counterbalanced  by  a  free  secretion 
from  the  udder,  kidneys,  bowels,  and  other  excretory  organs,  the  most 
dire  results  may  ensue.  Calving  may  thus  be  held  to  be  an  exciting 
cause,  and  yet  the  labor  and  fatigue  of  the  act  are  not  active  factors. 
It  is  after  the  easy  calving,  when  there  has  been  little  expenditure  of 
muscular  or  nervous  energy,  and  no  loss  of  blood,  that  this  malady  is 
seen.  Difficult  parturitions  may  be  followed  bjT  metritis,  but  they  are 
rarely  connected  with  parturition  fever. 

All  these  factors  coincide  in  intensifying  the  one  condition  of  pleth- 
ora, and  point  to  that  as  a  most  essential  cause  of  this  affection.  It 
is  needless  to  enter  here  into  the  much-debated  question  as  to  the 
mode  in  which  the  plethora  brings  about  the  characteristic  symptoms 
and  results.  As  the  results  show  disorder  or  suspension  of  the  nerv- 
ous functions  mainly,  it  may  suffice  to  say  that  this  condition  of  the 
blood  and  blood  vessels  is  incompatible  with  the  normal  functional 
activity  of  the  nerve  centers.  How  much  is  due  to  congestion  of  the 
brain  and  how  much  to  bloodlessness  may  well  be  debated,  yet  in  a 
closed  box  like  the  cranium,  in  which  the  absolute  contents  can  not 
be  appreciably  increased  or  diminished,  it  is  evident  that,  apart  from 
dropsical  effusion  or  inflammatory  exudation,  there  can  only  be  a 
given  amount  of  blood;  therefore,  if  one  portion  of  the  brain  is  con- 
gested another  must  be  proportionately  bloodless;  and  as  congestion 


224  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

of  the  eyes  and  head  generally,  and  great  heat  of  the  head  are  most 
prominent  features  of  the  disease,  congestion  of  the  brain  must  be 
accepted.  This,  of  course,  implies  a  lack  of  blood  in  certain  other 
parts  or  blood  vessels. 

The  latest  developments  of  treatment  indicate  very  clearly  that  the 
main  cause  is  the  production  of  poisonous  metabolic  products  (leuco- 
mains  and  toxins)  by  secreting  cells  of  the  follicles  of  the  udder,  act- 
ing on  the  susceptible  nerve  centers  of  the  plethoric,  calving  cow. 
Less  fatal  examples  of  udder  poisons  are  found  in  the  first  milk  (colos- 
trum), which  is  distinctly  irritant  and  purgative,  and  in  the  toxic 
qualities  of  the  first  milk  drawn  from  an  animal  which  has  been  sub- 
jected to  violent  overexertion  or  excitement.  Still  more  conclusive  as 
to  the  production  of  such  poisons  is  the  fact  that  the  full  distention 
of  the  milk  ducts  and  follicles,  and  the  consequent  driving  of  the 
blood  out  of  the  udder  and  arrest  of  the  formation  of  depraved  prod- 
ucts, determines  a  speedy  and  complete  recovery  from  the  disease. 
This  does  not  exclude  the  other  causes  above  named,  nor  the  influ- 
ence of  a  reflex  nervous  derangement  proceeding  from  the  udder  to 
the  brain. 

Symptoms. — There  may  be  said  to  be  two  extreme  types  of  this  dis- 
ease, with  intervening  grades.  In  both  forms  there  is  the  characteris- 
tic plethora  and  more  or  less  sudden  loss  of  voluntary  movement  and 
sensation,  indicating  a  sudden  collapse  of  nervous  power;  but  in  one 
there  is  such  prominent  evidence  of  congestion  of  head  and  brain  that 
it  may  be  called  the  congestive  form,  par  excellence,  without  thereby 
intimating  that  the  torpid  form  is  independent  of  congestion. 

In  the  congestive  form  there  is  sudden  dullness,  languor,  hanging 
back  in  the  stall,  or  drooping  the  head,  uneasy  movements  of  the  hind 
limbs  or  tail;  if  the  cow  is  moved,  she  steps  unsteadily,  or  even  stag- 
gers ;  she  no  longer  notices  her  calf  or  her  food ;  the  eyes  appear  red 
and  their  pupils  dilated;  the  weakness  increases  and  the  cow  lies 
down  or  falls  and  is  thenceforward  unable  to  rise.  At  this  time  the 
pulse  is  usually  full  and  bounding  and  the  temperature  raised,  though 
not  invariably  so;  the  head,  horns,  and  ears  being  especially  hot  and 
the  veins  of  the  head  full,  while  the  visible  mucous  membranes  of 
nose  and  eyes  are  deeply  congested. 

The  cow  may  lie  on  her  breastbone  with  her  feet  beneath  the  body 
and  her  head  turned  sleepily  round,  with  the  nose  resting  on  the  right 
flank;  or,  if  worse,  she  may  be  stretched  full  on  her  side,  with  even 
the  head  extended,  though  at  times  it  is  suddenly  raised  and  again 
dashed  back  on  the  ground.  At  such  times  the  legs,  fore  and  hind, 
struggle  convulsively,  evidently  through  unconscious  nervous  spasm. 
By  this  time  the  unconsciousness  is  usually  complete ;  the  eyes  are 
glazed,  their  pupils  widely  dilated,  and  their  lids  are  not  moved  when 
the  ball  of  the  eye  is  touched  with  the  finger.  Pricking  the  skin  with 
a  pin  also  fails  to  bring  an}^  wincing  or  other  response.     The  pulse, 


DISEASES    FOLLOWING    PARTURITION.  .    225 

at  first  from  50  to  70  per  minute,  becomes  more  accelerated  and 
weaker  as  the  disease  advances.  The  breathing  is  quickened,  becom- 
ing more  and  more  so  with  the  violence  of  the  symptoms,  and  at  first 
associated  with  moaning  (in  exceptional  cases,  bellowing),  it  may, 
before  death,  become  slow,  deep,  sighing,  or  rattling  (stertorous). 
The  temperature,  at  first  usually  raised,  tends  to  become  lower  as 
stupor  and  utter  insensibility  and  coma  supervene.  The  bowels, 
which  may  have  moved  at  the  onset  of  the  attack,  become  torpid  or 
completely  paralyzed,  and,  unless  in  case  of  improvement,  they  are  not 
likely  to  operate  again.  Yet  this  is  the  result  of  paralysis  and  not  of 
induration  of  the  feces,  as  often  shown  by  the  semiliquid  pultaceous 
condition  of  the  contents  after  death.  The  bladder,  too,  is  paralyzed 
and  fails  to  expel  its  contents.  A  free  action  of  either  bladder  or 
bowels,  or  of  both,  is  always  a  favorable  symptom.  The  urine  con- 
tains sugar,  in  amount  proportionate  to  the  severity  of  the  attack. 

In  nearly  all  cases  the  torpor  of  the  digestive  organs  results  in  gas- 
tric disorder;  the  paunch  becomes  the  seat  of  fermentation,  produc- 
ing gas,  which  causes  it  to  bloat  up  like  a  drum.  There  are  frequent 
eructations  of  gas  and  liquid  and  solid  food,  which,  reaching  the  par- 
alyzed throat,  pass  in  part  into  the  windpipe  and  cause  inflammations 
of  the  air  passages  and  lungs. 

In  the  torpid  form  of  the  disease  there  is  much  less  indication  of 
fever  or  violence.  There  may  be  no  special  heat  about  the  horns, 
ears,  or  forehead,  nor  any  marked  redness  or  congestion  of  the  eyes 
or  nose,  nor  engorgement  of  the  veins  of  the  head.  The  attack  comes 
on  more  slowly,  with  apparent  weakness  of  the  hind  limbs,  dullness, 
drowsiness,  suspension  of  rumination  and  appetite,  and  a  general 
indifference  to  surrounding  objects.  Soon  the  cow  lies  down,  or  falls 
and  is  unable  to  rise,  but  for  one  or  two  days  she  may  rest  on  the 
breastbone  and  hold  the  head  in  the  flank  without  showing  any  disor- 
derly movements.  Meanwhile  there  is  is  not  only  loss  of  muscular 
power  and  inability  to  stand,  but  also  considerable  dullness  of  sensa- 
tion, pricking  the  skin  producing  no  quick  response,  and  even  touch- 
ing the  edge  of  the  eyelids  causing  no  very  prompt  winking.  Unless 
she  gets  relief,  however,  the  case  develops  all  the  advanced  sj^mptoms 
of  the  more  violent  form,  and  the  animal  perishes. 

In  advanced  and  fatal  cases  of  either  form  the  insensibility  becomes 
complete;  no  irritation  of  skin  or  eye  meets  any  response;  the  eye 
becomes  more  dull  and  glassy;  the  head  rests  on  the  ground  or  other 
object;  unless  prevented,  the  cow  lies  stretched  fully  on  her  side;  the 
pulse  is  small,  rapid,  and  finally  imperceptible ;  the  breathing  is  slow, 
deep,  stertorous,  and  the  expirations  accompanied  by  puffing  out  of 
the  cheeks,  and  death  comes  quietly  or  with  accompanying  struggles. 

For  such  fatal  disease  prevention  is  of  far  more  consequence  than 
treatment.     Among  the  most  efficient  preventives  may  be  named  a 

61386—08 15 


226  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

spare  diet  (amounting  to  actual  starvation  in  very  plethoric,  heavy- 
milking  cows)  for  a  week  before  calving  and  at  least  four  days  after. 
A  free  access  to  salt  and  water  is  most  important,  as  the  salt  favors 
drinking  and  the  water  serves  to  dilute  the  rich  and  dense  blood. 
Iced  water,  however,  is  undesirable,  as  a  chill  may  favor  the  onset  of 
fever.  A  dose  of  Epsom  salts  (1  to  2  pounds)  should  be  given  twelve 
to  twenty-four  hours  before  calving  is  due,  so  that  it  may  operate  at 
or  just  before  that  act.  In  case  calving  has  occurred  unexpectedly 
in  the  heavy  milker,  lose  no  time  in  giving  the  purgative  thereafter. 
A  most  important  precaution  in  the  fleshy,  plethoric  cow,  or  in  one 
that  has  been  attacked  at  a  previous  calving,  is  to  avoid  drawing  any 
milk  from  the  bag  for  twelve  or  twenty-four  hours  after  calving. 
Breeders  on  the  island  of  Jersey  have  found  that  this  alone  has  almost 
abolished  the  mortality  from  milk  fever.  If  Epsom  salts  is  not  at 
hand  use  saltpeter  (1  ounce)  for  several  days.  Daily  exercise  is  also  of 
importance,  and,  excepting  in  midsummer,  when  the  heat  of  the  sun 
may  be  injurious,  the  value  of  open  air  is  unquestionable.  Even  in 
summer  an  open  shed  or  shady  grove  is  incomparably  better  than  a 
close,  stuffy  stall.  A  rich  pasture  (clover  especially),  in  late  May, 
June,  or  July,  when  at  its  best,  is  to  be  carefully  avoided.  Better 
keep  the  cow  indoors  on  dry  straw  with  plenty  of  salt  and  water  than 
to  have  access  to  such  pastures. 

Old  treatment. — If  the  cow  is  seen  before  she  goes  down,  the 
abstraction  of  blood  is  demanded,  and  may  usually  be  carried  to  the 
extent  of  4  or  even  6  quarts.  The  fullness  and  force  of  the  pulse 
must  determine  the  amount ;  if  it  is  weak  and  rapid  or  scarcely  per- 
ceptible the  vein  must  be  instantly  closed,  and  it  may  even  be  neces- 
sary to  give  ammoniacal  stimulants.  If  the  cow  is  lying  down, 
unable  to  rise,  and,  above  all,  if  no  winking  is  caused  by  touching  the 
eyeball,  bleeding  must  be  done,  if  at  all,  with  great  precaution.  A 
pint  or  a  quart  may  be  all  that  can  be  safely  taken,  and  in  case  the 
pulse  has  been  small  and  weak  no  more  should  be  drawn  unless  the 
pulse  beat  strengthens.  The  fatal  collapse  already  threatening  is 
often  precipitated  by  unguarded  bleeding.  The  jugular  vein  may  be 
opened  as  coming  directly  from  the  brain,  and  as  the  object  is  to 
lessen  the  density  of  the  blood  and  the  tension  in  the  blood  vessels 
without  shock,  it  is  not  so  essential  to  draw  it  in  a  full  stream  as  in 
other  cases  of  bloodletting.  As  the  blood  is  withdrawn  the  place  is 
speedily  taken  by  liquids  (mainly  water),  absorbed  from  all  available 
parts  of  the  body,  and  thus  the  blood  is  helpfully  diluted. 

It  is  a  good  practice  to  give  a  dose  of  purgative  medicine  (Epsom 
salts  2  pounds,  carbonate  of  ammonia  one-half  ounce,  mix  vomica  one- 
half  dram).  If  it  is  absorbed  it  will  find  its  way  to  the  bowels  and 
start  active  secretion,  thereby  relieving  the  plethora;  if  it  is  not 
absorbed  it  will  do  no  harm.  Enemas  of  warm  water  and  soap  or  oil 
may  be  beneficially  employed. 


DISEASES    FOLLOWING    PARTURITION.  227 

Iced  water  or  bags  of  ice  to  the  head  (tied  around  the  horns  and 
covering  the  forehead  and  upper  part  of  the  neck)  are  of  the  very- 
greatest  value  in  cases  in  w  uch  the  heat  of  the  horns,  ears,  and  head, 
the  redness  of  the  eyes,  ana  fixed  dilatation  of  the  pupils  are  marked 
features.  Like  bleeding,  it  may  be  uncalled  for  in  those  cases  in 
which  the  heat  and  general  congestion  of  the  head  are  absent. 

In  these  congestive  cases,  too,  benefit  is  often  derived  from  large 
and  frequent  doses  (20  drops  every  four  hours)  of  tincture  of  aconite. 
It  acts  not  alone  as  a  sedative  to  the  heart  and  circulation,  but  also  by 
favoring  a  free  circulation  in  the  skin.  In  what  may  be  called  the 
noncongestive  cases  it  is  of  little  avail. 

Harms  claims  excellent  results  from  large  doses  of  tartar  emetic — 1 
ounce  for  the  first  dose,  3  drams  more  after  four  hours,  and  2  drams 
after  four  hours.  If  absorbed  it  will  act  after  the  manner  of  aconite 
as  a  sedative  by  causing  a  free  circulation  in  the  skin. 

This  increased  circulation  in  the  skin  serves  to  draw  away  blood 
from  the  internal  organs,  and  thus  to  relieve  the  brain,  and  to  secure 
the  same  result  a  variety  of  resorts  are  had  with  varying  success  in 
different  cases.  The  application  of  hot  (almost  scalding)  water  to  the 
back  and  loins,  or  to  the  limbs,  acts  in  this  way.  So  do  mustard  plas- 
ters, frictions  with  oil  of  turpentine,  the  prolonged  movement  over  the 
part  of  a  hot  smoothing  iron  with  a  thin  cloth  between  it  and  the  skin, 
or  finally  the  application  of  strong  liquor  ammonia,  covered  up  for 
fifteen  minutes  with  a  close  rug. 

In  cases  with  a  high  body  temperature  an  excellent  plan  is  to  wrap 
the  whole  body  in  a  blanket  slightly  wrung  out  of  cold  water,  and  cover 
this  closely  at  all  points  with  dry  blankets  to  exclude  the  air  and  pre- 
vent evaporation  and  cooling.  In  fifteen  or  twenty  minutes  a  reaction 
will  have  taken  place,  the  whole  body  will  have  been  cooled  somewhat 
by  the  blood  returning  from  the  skin  since  the  blanket  was  applied,  and 
the  free  perspiration  will  now  serve  to  relieve  both  by  cooling  and  by 
carrying  off  waste  matters  from  the  blood.  This  may  be  repeated  sev- 
eral times  a  day  if  the  temperature  rises  again.  In  cold  weather  the 
skin  should  be  rubbed  dry  on  each  occasion. 

A  similar  method  of  drawing  off  the  blood  from  the  brain  is  by  fre- 
quent rubbing  of  the  udder  and  drawing  off  the  milk. 

In  case  of  extreme  prostration  and  weak  pulse  one-half  ounce  car- 
bonate of  ammonia  may  be  given,  and  repeated  at  the  end  of  an  hour 
or  two  if  needed.  It  may  be  given  as  a  roller-formed  bolus  made 
up  with  a  very  little  flour  to  give  it  consistency,  or  if  the  cow  can  not 
swallow,  it  may  be  dissolved  in  water  and  poured  through  a  probang 
(PL  III,  fig.  2),  or  tube,  introduced  into  the  stomach. 

Bloating  of  the  left  side  (paunch)  is  a  common  and  dangerous  com- 
plication of  the  disease,  as  it  at  once  aggravates  the  pressure  on  the 
brain,  partly  by  expression  of  blood  from  the  abdominal  organs  and 
partly  by  nervous  action  through  the  vagus  and  sympathetic  nerves. 


228  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

It  may  often  be  checked  by  the  use  of  carbonate  of  ammonia;  or 
hyposulphite  of  soda  (one-half  ounce)  may  be  substituted,  or  oil  of 
turpentine  (1  ounce).  In  obstinate  cases  tie  paunch  should  be  punc- 
tured in  the  upper  part  of  the  left  flank  by  a  trocar  and  canula 
(PI.  Ill,  figs.  5a  and  5b)  and  the  latter  left  in  place  until  it  is  no 
longer  needed. 

Another  most  important  precaution  is  to  draw  off  the  urine  from 
the  bladder  several  times  a  day,  as  a  full  bladder  greatly  aggravates 
the  case. 

A  weak  induction  current  of  electricity  may  be  sent  through  the 
brain  for  ten  minutes  at  a  time  in  cases  of  extreme  insensibility,  and 
through  the  affected  limb  in  case  of  remaining  paralysis. 

In  the  torpid  or  noncongestive  form  of  the  disease  the  treatment  is 
the  same  as  regards,  purgatives,  stimulants,  nux  vomica,  antiseptics 
for  bloating,  attention  to  the  bladder  and  udder,  counterirritants  to 
spine  or  limbs,  and  even  bleeding.  The  cold,  wet  sheets  and  even 
the  ice  to  the  head  may  often  be  dispensed  with. 

One  other  precaution  may  be  named  applicable  to  all, cases,  but 
especially  so  to  the  more  distinctly  congestive  ones.  This  is  to  keep 
the  head  above  the  level  of  the  body  and  prevent  injury  from  the 
striking  of  it  on  the  ground  or  other  hard  body.  The  cow  is  to  be 
packed  up  with  bundles  or  bags  of  straw  against  the  shoulders  and 
hips,  so  as  to  let  her  rest  on  her  breast  and  belly  with  her  limbs 
under  her.  Then  the  head  and  neck  are  to  be  similarly  supported, 
so  as  to  keep  them  elevated  and  give  them  a  soft,  yielding  cushion  if 
dashed  from  side  to  side.  It  inay  be  even  desirable  to  support  the 
head  by  a  rope  round  the  horns,  or  a  halter,  the  end  of  which  is 
passed  over  a  beam  above. 

New  treatment. — Treatment  of  milk  fever  has  been  completely  revo- 
lutionized, with  the  result  that  a  former  mortality  of  50  to  70  per  cent 
has  been  practically  abolished.  Formerly  the  most  vigorous  treat- 
ment was  practiced  by  bleeding,  purging,  the  increase  of  peristalsis 
by  eserin  or  pilocarpin,  enemas,  cold  to  the  head,  counterirritants, 
aconite,  tartar  emetic,  sponging,  wet-sheet  packing,  etc.  The  gross 
mortality,  however,  was  not  materially  reduced,  and  nearly  all  that 
were  attacked  within  the  first  two  days  after  calving  perished. 

The  first  step  in  the  modern  treatment  was  made  in  1897,  when 
J.  Schmidt  published  his  successful  treatment  by  the  injection  of  the 
teats  and  milk  ducts  with  a  solution  of  iodid  of  potassium  (1|  drams 
to  1  quart  of  water).  This  reduced  the  mortality  to  17  per  cent. 
Others  followed  this  lead  by  the  injection  of  other  antiseptics  (tysol, 
creolin,  creosol,  chinosol,  common  salt,  etherized  air,  oxygen). 
These  succeeded  as  well  as  the  iodid  solution.  With  the  injection 
of  gases,  however,  a  fuller  distention  of  the  udder  was  usually 
secured,  and  virtually  every  case  recovered.  This  suggested  the  full 
distention  of  the  udder  with  common  atmospheric  air  filtered  and 


DISEASES    FOLLOWING    PARTURITION.  229 

sterilized,  and  this  with  the  most  perfect  success.  With  sterile  air 
Schmidt-Kolding  claimed  96.7  per  cent  recoveries  in  914  cases.  In 
America  the  full  distention  of  the  udder,  whether  with  oxygen  or  fil- 
tered air,  has  proved  invariably  successful  in  all  kinds  of  cases,  includ- 
ing the  violent  ones  that  set  in  within  a  few  hours  after  calving.  In 
one  or  two  hours  after  the  injection  the  cow  has  got  up,  had  free  pas- 
sages from  the  bowels  and  bladder,  bright  expression  of  countenance, 
and  some  return  of  appetite.  In  my  cases  which  had  made  no  response 
for  eight  hours  to  the  iodid  injection,  the  injection  of  the  udder  to 
full  repletion  with  the  gas  (oxygen  or  air)  has  had  immediately' bene- 
ficial results. 

A  similar  full  distention  of  the  bag  with  a  common-salt  solution 
(0.5  to  100),  or  even  with  well-boiled  water,  is  equally  effective,  but  in 
these  cases  the  weight  of  the  liquid  causes  dragging  upon  the  udder 
and  a  measure  of  discomfort  which  is  escaped  under  the  treatment 
with  gas.  The  value  of  each  method  depends  on  the  fullness  of  dis- 
tention of  the  udder  and  the  arrest  in  larger  part  of  the  circulation 
and  chemical  changes  in  its  tissues.  This  distention  acts  like  magic, 
and  seems  to  hardly  admit  of  failure  in  securing  a  successful  outcome. 

It  can  not,  however,  be  recommended  as  absolutely  devoid  of  dan- 
gers and  serious  complications.  To  get  the  best  results  it  should  be 
applied  only  by  one  who  has  been  trained  in  the  careful  antiseptic 
methods  of  the  bacteriological  laboratory.  Some  readers  will  recall 
the  case  of  the  injection  of  the  udders  of  show  cows  at  Toronto  to 
impose  upon  the  judges.  The  cows  treated  in  this  way  had  the  udders 
infected  and  ruined,  and  several  lost  their  lives.  There  is  no  better 
culture  medium  for  septic  and  other  germs  than  the  first  milk  (colos- 
trum) charged  with  albumen  and  retained  in  the  warm  udder.  Already 
in  the  hands  of  veterinarians  even  the  Schmidt  treatment  has  produced 
a  small  proportion  of  cases  of  infective  mammitis.  How  niany  more 
such  cases  will  develop  if  this  treatment  shall  become  a  popular 
domestic  resort,  applied  by  the  dairyman  himself  in  all  sorts  of  sur- 
roundings and  with  little  or  no  antiseptic  precaution.  But  even  then 
the  losses  will  by  no  means  approach  the  past  mortality  of  50  to  70  per 
cent,  so  that  the  economy  will  be  immeasurable  under  even  the  worst 
conditions.  A  fair  test  and  judgment  of  this  treatment,  however,  can 
only  be  obtained  when  the  administrator  is  a  trustworthy  and  pains- 
taking man,  well  acquainted  with  bacteriological  antisepsis  and  with 
the  general  and  special  pathology  of  the  bovine  animal. 

The  necessary  precautions  may  be  summarized  as  follows: 

(1)  Provide  an  elastic  rubber  ball  and  tubes,  furnished  with  valves 
to  direct  the  current  of  air,  as  in  a  common  Davidson  syringe. 

(2)  Fill  the  delivery  tube  for  a  short  distance  with  cotton,  sterilized 
by  prolonged  heating  in  a  water  bath. 

(3)  In  the  free  end  of  the  delivery  tube  fit  a  milking  tube  to  be 
inserted  into  the  teat. 


230  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

(4)  Sterilize  this  entire  apparatus  by  boiling  for  thirty  minutes,  and, 
without  touching  the  milking  tube,  wrap  it  in  a  towel  that  has  been 
sterilized  in  a  water  bath  or  in  live  steam  and  dried. 

(5)  Avoid  drawing  any  milk  from  the  teats;  wash  them  and  the 
udder  thoroughly  with  warm  soapsuds;  rinse  off  with  well-boiled  and 
cooled  water,  and  apply  to  the  teats,  and  especially  to  their  tips,  a  5 
per  cent  solution  of  creolin  or  lysol,  taking  care  that  the  teats  are  not 
allowed  to  touch  any  other  body  from  the  time  they  are  cleansed  until 
the  teat  tube  is  inserted.  It  is  well  to  rest  the  cleansed  and  disin- 
fected udder  on  a  sterilized  pad  of  cotton  or  a  boiled  towel. 

(6)  The  injecting  apparatus  is  unwrapped,  the  teat  tube,  seized  by  its 
attached  end  and  kept  from  contact  with  any  other  body,  is  inserted 
into  the  teat,  while  an  assistant  working  the  rubber  pump  fills  the 
quarter  as  full  as  it  will  hold.  The  tube  is  now  withdrawn  and  a 
broad  tape  is  tied  around  the  free  end  of  the  teat  to  prevent  escape  of 
the  air. 

(7)  The  teat  tube,  which  has  been  carefully  preserved  from  possible 
contact  with  other  bodies,  is  dipped  in  the  creolin  solution  and  inserted 
in  a  second  teat,  and  the  second  quarter  is  inflated,  and  so  with  the 
third  and  fourth. 

(8)  The  recumbent  cow  is  kept  resting  on  her  breast  bone,  with  the 
head  elevated,  even  if  it  should  be  necessary  to  pack  her  around  with 
straw  bundles  or  to  suspend  the  head  by  a  halter.  Lying  on  her  side, 
she  is  liable  to  develop  fatal  bloating  and  to  have  belching  of  gas 
and  liquids,  which,  passing  down  the  windpipe,  cause  fatal  broncho- 
pneumonia. 

(9)  If  in  two  hours  the  cow  has  not  got  on  her  feet,  if  there  is  no 
brighter  or  more  intelligent  expression,  if  she  has  passed  no  manure 
or  urine,  and  if  the  air  has  become  absorbed,  leaving  the  udder  less 
tense,  the  injection  of  the  bag  may  be  repeated,  under  the  same  scru- 
pulous and  rigid  precautions  as  at  first.  In  all  cases,  but  especially 
in  severe  ones,  it  is  well  to  keep  watch  of  the  patient,  and  repeat  the 
distention  on  the  first  indication  of  relapse.  Should  there  not  be  a 
free  discharge  of  feces  and  urine  after  rising,  indicating  a  natural 
resumption  of  the  nervous  functions,  the  case  should  be  all  the  more 
carefully  watched,  so  that  the  treatment  may  be  repeated  if  necessary. 

Accessory  treatment  may  still  be  employed,  but  is  rarely  necessary. 
A  dose  of  purgative  medicine  (1£  pounds  Epsom  salts)  in  warm  water 
may  be  given  in  the  early  stages,  while  as  yet  there  is  no  danger  of  its 
passing  into  the  lungs  through  paralysis  of  the  throat.  Eserin  or 
pilocarpin  (1£  grains)  may  be  given  under  the  skin  to  stimulate  the 
movements  of  the  bowels.  Sponging  of  the  skin,  and  especially  of 
the  udder,  with  cool  water  may  be  resorted  to  in  hot  weather. 

Bloating  may  demand  puncture  of  the  paunch,  in  the  left  flank, 
with  a  canula  and  trocar,  the  evacuation  of  the  gas,  and  the  intro- 
duction through  the  tube  of  a  tablespoonful  of  strong  liquid  ammonia 
in  a  quart  of  cold  water  or  other  antiferment. 


DISEASES    FOLLOWING    PARTURITION.  231 

The  economic  value  of  the  new  treatment  of  milk  fever  is  enormous. 
The  United  States  has  over  16,000,000  milch  cows.  If  we  could 
raise  the  quality  of  these  by  preserving  and  propagating  the  highest, 
heaviest,  and  richest  milkers,  in  place  of  losing  the  best  by  milk 
fever,  as  in  the  past,  and  if  we  could  thus  secure  an  average  increase 
of  10  quarts  a  day,  the  proceeds  at  1|  cents  a  quart  would  reach 
8250,000,000  a  year. 
• 

PALSY   AFTER   CALVING  (DROPPING   AFTER    CALVING). 

This  consists  in  a  more  or  less  complete  loss  of  control  of  the  hind 
limbs  occurring  after  calving,  and  due  either  to  low  condition,  weak- 
ness, and  exposure  to  cold  or  to  injurious  compression  of  the  nerves 
of  the  hind  limbs  by  a  large  calf  passing  through  the  pelvis.  Its 
symptoms  do  not  differ  from  those  of  palsy  of  the  hind  limbs,  occur- 
ring at  other  times,  and  it  may  be  treated  in  the  same  way,  excepting 
so  far  as  bruises  of  the  vagina  may  demand  special  soothing  treatment. 

CONGESTION   OF  THE   UDDER  (GARGET). 

In  heavy  milkers,  before  and  just  after  calving,  it  is  the  rule  that 
the  mammary  gland  is  enlarged,  hot,  tense  and  tender,  and  that  a 
slight  exudation  or  pasty  swelling  extends  forward  from  the  gland  on 
the  lower  surface  of  the  abdomen.  This  physiological  congestion  is 
looked  upon  as  a  matter  of  course,  and  disappears  in  two  or  three  days 
when  the  secretion  of  milk  has  been  fully  established.  This  breaking 
up  of  the  bag  may  be  greatly  hastened  by  the  sucking  of  a  hungry 
calf  and  the  kneading  it  gives  the  udder  with  its  nose,  by  stripping 
the  glands  clean  thrice  daily,  and  by  active  rubbing  at  each  milking 
with  the  palm  of  the  hand,  with  or  without  lard  or,  better,  with  cam- 
phorated ointment. 

The  congestion  may  be  at  times  aggravated  by  standing  in  a  draft 
of  cold  air  or  by  neglect  to  milk  for  an  entire  day  or  more  (overstock- 
ing, hefting)  with  the  view  of  making  a  great  show  of  udder  for  pur- 
poses of  sale.  In  such  cases  the  surface  of  the  bag  pits  on  pressure, 
and  the  milk  has  a  reddish  tinge  or  even  streaks  of  blood,  or  it  is  par- 
tially or  fully  clotted  and  is  drawn  with  difficulty,  mixed,  it  may  be, 
with  a  yellowish  serum  (whey)  which  has  separated  from  the  casein. 
This  should  be  treated  like  the  above,  though  it  may  sometimes 
demand  fomentations  with  warm  water  to  ward  off  inflammation,  and 
it  may  be  a  week  before  the  natural  condition  of  the  gland  is  restored. 

INFLAMMATION    OF   THE    UDDER  (SIMPLE    MAMMITIS). 

Congestion  may  merge  into  active  inflammation,  or  it  may  arise 
direct,  in  connection  with  exposure  to  cold  or  wet,  with  standing  in  a 
cold  draft,  with  blows  on  the  udder  with  clubs,  stones,  horns,  or  feet, 
with  injury  from  a  sharp  or  cold  stone,  or  the  projecting  edge  of  a 


232  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

board  or  end  of  a  nail  in  the  floor,  with  sudden  and  extreme  changes 
of  weather,  with  overfeeding  on  rich  albuminous  food  like  cotton  seed, 
beans,  or  pease,  with  indigestions,  with  sores  on  the  teats,  or  with  insuf- 
ficient stripping  of  the  udder  in  milking.  In  the  period  of  full  milk 
the  organ  is  so  susceptible  that  any  serious  disturbance  of  the  general 
health  is  liable  to  fall  upon  the  udder. 

Symptoms. — The  symptoms  and  mode  of  onset  vary  in  different 
cases.  When  following  exposure  there  is  usually  a  violent  shivering 
fit,  with  cold  horns,  ears,  tail,  and  limbs,  and  general  erection  of  the 
hair.  This  is  succeeded  by  a  flush  of  heat  (reaction)  in  which  the 
horns,  ears,  and  limbs  become  unnaturally  warm  and  the  gland  swells 
up  and  becomes  firm  and  solid  in  one,  two,  three,  or  all  four  quarters. 
There  is  hot,  dry  muzzle,  elevated  temperature,  full,  accelerated  pulse, 
and  excited  breathing,  impaired  or  suspended  appetite,  and  rumina- 
tion with  more  or  less  costiveness,  suppression  of  urine,  and  a  lessened 
yield  of  milk,  which  may  be  entirely  suppressed  in  the  affected 
quarter. 

In  other  cases  the  shivering  escapes  notice,  the  general  disorder  of 
the  system  is  little  marked  or  comes  on  late,  and  the  first  observed 
sign  of  illness  is  the  firm  swelling,  heat,  and  tenderness  of  the  bag. 
As  the  inflammation  increases  and  extends,  the  hot,  tender  udder 
causes  the  animal  to  straddle  with  its  hind  limbs,  and  when  walking 
to  halt  on  the  limb  on  that  side.  If  the  cow  lies  down  it  is  on  the 
unaffected  side.  With  the  increase  in  intensity  and  the  extension  of 
the  inflammation  the  general  fever  manifests  itself  more  prominently. 
In  some  instances  the  connective  tissue  beneath  the  skin  and  be- 
tween the  lobules  of  the  gland  is  affected,  and  then  the  swelling  is 
uniformly  rounded  and  of  nearly  the  same  consistency,  pitting  eveiy- 
where  on  pressure.  In  other  cases  it  primarily  attacks  the  secreting 
tissue  of  the  gland,  and  then  the  swelling  is  more  localized  and 
appears  as  hard,  nodular  masses  in  the  interior  of  the  gland.  This 
last  is  the  usual  form  of  inflammation  occurring  from  infection  enter- 
ing by  the  teats. 

In  all  cases,  but  especially  in  the  last-named  form,  the  milk  is  sup- 
pressed and  replaced  by  a  watery  fluid  colored  with  blood  (sometimes 
deeply)  and  mingled  with  masses  of  clotted  casein.  Later  it  becomes 
white  and  purulent,  and  in  many  cases  of  an  offensive  odor. 

The  course  of  the  disease  is  sometimes  so  rapid  and  at  others  so 
slow  that  no  definite  rule  can  be  laid  down.  In  two  or  three  days,  or 
from  that  to  the  end  of  the  week,  the  bag  may  soften,  lose  its  heat  and 
tenderness,  and  subside  into  the  healthy  condition,  even  resuming  the 
secretion  of  milk.  The  longer  the  inflammatory  hardness  continues 
the  greater  the  probability  that  its  complete  restoration  will  not  be 
effected.  When  a  portion  of  the  gland  fails  to  be  restored  in  this 
way,  and  has  its  secretion  arrested,  it  usually  shrinks  to  a  smaller 
size.     More  commonly  a  greater  amount  of  the  inflammatory  product 


DISEASES    FOLLOWING    PARTURITION.  233 

remains  in  the  gland  and  develops  into  a  solid  fibrous  mass,  causing 
permanent  hardening  (induration).  In  other  cases,  in  place  of  the 
product  of  inflammation  developing  into  a  fibrous  mass,  it  softens  and 
breaks  down  into  the  white  creamy  liquid  pus  (abscess).  This  abscess 
may  make  its  way  to  the  surface  and  escape  externally,  or  it  may 
burst  into  a  milk  duct  and  discharge  through  the  teat.  It  may  break 
into  both  and  establish  a  channel  for  the  escape  of  milk  (fistula).  In 
the  worst  types  of  the  disease  gangrene  may  ensue,  a  quarter  or  half 
or  even  the  whole  udder,  losing  its  vitality,  and  sloughing  off  if  the 
cow  can  bear  up  against  the  depressing  influence.  These  gangrenous 
cases  are  probably  always  the  result  of  infection  and  sometimes  run 
a  very  rapidly  fatal  course.  I  recall  one  to  which  I  was  called  as 
soon  as  the  owner  noticed  it,  yet  I  found  one  quarter  dark  blue,  cold, 
and  showing  a  tendency  to  the  formation  of  blebs  containing  a  bloody 
secretion.  The  cow,  which  had  waded  through  a  depth  of  semiliquid 
manure  to  reach  her  stall,  died  within  twenty-four  hours. 

Treatment. — Treatment  will  vary  with  the  type  and  the  stage  of  the 
disease.  If  the  case  is  seen  in  the  shivering  fit,  every  effort  should 
be  made  to  cut  that  short,  as  the  inflammation  may  be  thereby  greatly 
moderated,  if  not  checked.  Copious  drinks  of  warm  water  thrown  in 
from  horn  or  bottle;  equally  copious  warm  injections;  the  application 
of  heat  in  some  form  to  the  surface  of  the  body  (by  a  rug  wrung  out 
of  hot  water;  by  hanging  over  the  back  and  loins  bags  loosely  filled 
with  bran,  sand,  salt,  chaff,  or  other  agent  previously  heated  in  a 
stove;  by  the  use  of  a  flatiron  or  the  warming  of  the  surface  by  a  hot- 
air  bath),  or  by  active  friction  with  straw  Visps  by  two  or  more 
persons;  the  administration  of  a  pint  of  strong  alcoholic  liquor,  or  of 
1  ounce  of  ground  ginger,  may  serve  to  cut  short  the  attack.  After 
half  an  hour's  sweat  rub  dry  and  cover  with  a  dry  blanket. 

If,  on  the  other  hand,  there  is  little  or  no  fever,  and  only  a  slight 
inflammation,  rub  well  with  camphorated  ointment  or  a  weak  iodine 
ointment,  and  milk  three,  four,  or  six  times  a  day,  rubbing  the  bag 
thoroughly  each  time.  Milking  must  be  done  with  great  gentleness, 
squeezing  the  teat  in  place  of  pulling  and  stripping  it,  and  if  this 
causes  too  much  pain,  the  teat  tube  (PL  XXIV,  fig.  4)  or  the  spring 
teat  dilator  (PL  XXIV,  fig.  3)  may  be  employed.  Antiseptic  injections 
of  the  teats  and  udder  are  often  useful,  and  iodoform  in  water  has 
been  especially  recommended.  It  may  be  replaced  by  one  of  the 
injections  advised  for  parturition  fever,  used  with  the  same  careful 
precautions. 

In  cases  in  which  the  fever  has  set  in  and  the  inflammation  is  more 
advanced,  a  dose  of  laxative  medicine  is  desirable  (Epsom  salts,  1  to  2 
pounds;  ginger,  1  ounce),  which  may  be  followed,  after  the  purging 
has  ceased,  by  daily  doses  of  saltpeter,  1  ounce.  Many  rely  on  cooling 
and  astringent  applications  to  the  inflamed  quarter  (vinegar,  sugar-of- 
lead  lotion,  cold  water,  ice,  etc.),  but  a  safer  and  better  resort  is  con- 


234  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

tinued  fomentation  with  warm  water.  A  bucket  of  warm  water, 
replenished  as  it  cools,  ma}"  he  set  beneath  the  udder,  and  two  persons 
can  raise  a  rug  out  of  this  and  hold  it  against  the  udder,  dipping  it 
anew  whenever  the  heat  is  somewhat  lost.  Or  a  sheet  may  be  passed 
around  the  body,  with  four  holes  cut  for  the  teats  and  soft  rags  packed 
between  it  and  the  udder,  and  kept  warm  by  pouring  on  water  as  warm 
as  the  hands  can  bear  every  ten  or  fifteen  minutes.  When  this  has 
been  kept  up  for  an  hour  or  two  the  bag  may  be  dried,  well  rubbed 
with  soap,  and  left  thus  with  a  soapy  coating.  If  the  pain  is  great, 
extract  of  belladonna  may  be  applied  along  with  the  soap,  and  a  dry 
suspensory  bandage  with  holes  for  the  teats  may  be  applied.  Strong 
mercurial  ointment  is  very  useful  in  relieving  pain  and  softening  the 
bag.  This  is  especially  valuable  when  the  disease  is  protracted  and 
induration  threatens.  It  may  be  mixed  with  an  equal  amount  of 
soap  and  half  the  amount  of  extract  of  belladonna.  In  cases  of  threat- 
ened induration  excellent  results  are  sometimes  obtained  from  a 
weak  induction  current  of  electricity  sent  through  the  gland  daily  for 
ten  minutes. 

If  abscess  threatens  it  may  be  favored  by  fomentation  and  opened 
as  soon  as  fluctuation  from  finger  to  finger  shows  the  formation  of 
matter  at  a  point  formerly  hard.  The  wound  may  bleed  freely,  and 
there  is  a  risk  of  opening  a  milk  duct,  yet  relief  will  be  secured,  and 
a  dressing  twice  daily  with  a  lotion  of  carbolic  acid,  1  part,  water,  20 
parts,  and  glycerin,  1  part,  will  suffice  to  keep  the  wound  clean  and 
healthy. 

Gangrene  of  the  affected  part  is  often  fatal.  It  demands  antisep- 
tics (chlorid  of  zinc,  1  dram  to  1  quart  water)  applied  frequently  to 
the  part,  or,  if  the  case  can  not  be  attended,  smear  the  affected  quar- 
ter with  melted  Venice  turpentine,  or  even  wood  tar.  Antiseptic 
tonics  (tincture  of  muriate  of  iron,  4  drams)  may  also  be  given  four 
times  daily  in  a  quart  of  water. 

CONTAGIOUS  MAMMITIS  (CONTAGIOUS  INFLAMMATION    OF   THE    UDDER). 

As  stated  in  the  last  article,  that  form  of  inflammation  of  the  udder 
which  attacks  the  gland  ducts  and  follicles,  causing  deep-seated,  hard, 
nodular  swellings,  is  often  contagious.  Franck  has  demonstrated 
this  by  injecting  into  the  milk  ducts  in  different  cows  (milking  and 
dry)  the  pus  from  the  bags  of  cows  affected  with  mammitis,  or  the 
liquids  of  putrid  flesh,  or  putrid  blood,  and  in  every  case  he  produced 
acute  inflammation  of  the  gland  tissue  within  twenty-four  hours. 
He  thinks  that  in  ordinary  conditions  the  septic  germ  gains  access  by 
propagating  itself  through  the  milk,  filling  the  milk  canal  and  oozing 
from  the  external  orifice.  He  points  to  this  as  a  reason  why  dry  cows 
escape  the  malady,  though  mingling  freely  with  the  sufferers,  and 
why  such  dry  cows  do  not  suffer  from  inflammation  of  the  gland  tissue 
when  attacked  with  foot-and-mouth  disease.     In  this  last  case  it  is 


DISEASES    FOLLOWING    PARTURITION.  235 

evident  that  it  is  not  simply  the  inoculation  with  the  milker's  hand 
that  is  lacking,  for  the  skin  of  the  bag  is  attacked,  but  not  its  secret- 
ing glandular  parts.  Now  that  in  any  case  of  abscess  we  look  for  the 
cause  in  the  chain  forms  of  globular  bacteria  {Streptococcus  pyogenes), 
in  the  cluster  form  of  white  globular  bacteria  {Staphylococcus pyogenes 
alljus),  and  in  the  golden  and  citron-yellow  forms  of  clustered  globu- 
lar bacteria  {Staphylococcus  pyogenes  aureus  and  Staphylococcus 
pyogenes  citreus),  the  formation  of  pus  gives  presumptive  evidence 
of  the  action  of  one  or  more  of  these  germs.  So  in  cases  of  mortifica- 
tion of  the  bag;  in  the  very  occurrence  there  is  fair  circumstantial 
evidence  of  the  presence  of  erysipelas  micrococcus  or  other  germ 
which  kills  the  local  tissues.  Again,  in  tuberculosis  affecting  the  bag 
(a  not  uncommon  condition),  the  active  local  cause  is  without  doubt 
the  tubercle  bacillus. 

It  has  been  found  that  false  membranes  have  formed  in  certain 
cases  of  mammitis  in  the  cow,  and  Klein,  after  inoculating  the  diph- 
theria of  man  on  the  cow,  found  an  ulcerous  sore  in  the  seat  of  inoc- 
ulation and  blisters  on  the  teats  and  udder,  in  which  he  found  what 
he  believed  to  be  the  bacillus  of  diphtheria.  The  results  are  doubt- 
ful, even  in  the  absence  of  false  membranes.  Loftier,  too,  in  the 
diphtheria  of  calves,  found  that  the  germ  was  more  delicate  and 
longer  than  that  of  man,  and  that  its  pathogenesis  for  rodents  was 
less,  guinea  pigs  having  only  a  nonfatal  abscess.  The  presence  of 
false  membranes  in  one  form  of  mammitis  in  cows  does  not  neces- 
sarily imply  its  communicability  to  man. 

It  has  been  claimed  that  scarlet  fever  has  been  transmitted  from 
the  cow  to  man,  and  it  can  not  be  denied  that  in  many  cases  the  infec- 
tion has  been  disseminated  through  the  milk.  The  facts,  however, 
when  brought  out  fully  have  shown  that  in  almost  every  case  the 
milk  had  first  come  in  contact  with  a  person  suffering  or  recovering 
from  scarlet  fever,  so  that  the  milk  was  infected  after  it  left  the  cow. 
The  alleged  exceptional  cases  at  Hendon  and  Dover,  England,  are 
not  conclusive.  In  the  Hendon  outbreak  inoculations  were  made  on 
calves  from  the  slight  eruption  on  the  cow's  teats,  and  they  had  a 
slight  eruption  on  the  lips  and  a  form  of  inflammation  of  the  kidneys, 
which  Doctor  Klein  thought  resembled  that  of  scarlatina.  The  cows 
that  had  brought  the  disease  to  the  Hendon  dairies  were  traced  back 
to  Wiltshire,  and  cows  were  found  there  suffering  from  a  similar  mal- 
ady, but  there  was  no  sign  of  scarlet  fever  resulting.  In  the  Dover 
outbreak,  the  dairyman  first  denied  any  disease  in  his  cows,  and 
brought  the  certificate  of  a  veterinarian  to  prove  that  they  were  sound 
at  the  time  of  the  investigation ;  then  later  he  confessed  that  the  cows 
had  had  foot-and-mouth  disease,  and  consequent  eruption  on  the  teats 
some  time  before.  So  the  question  remains  whether  the  man  who 
denied  sickness  in  the  cows  to  begin  with,  and  adduced  professional 
evidence  of  this,  did  not  later  acknowledge  the  foot-and-mouth  dis- 


236  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

ease  as  a  blind  to  hide  the  real  source  of  the  trouble  in  scarlatina  in 
his  own  family  or  the  family  of  an  employee. 

In  America  Doctor  Stickler  claimed  that  he  had  produced  scarlatina 
in  children  by  inoculation  with  imported  virus  of  foot-and-mouth  dis- 
ease, but  his  contention  is  negatived  by  the  facts  that  with  foot-and- 
mouth  disease  constantly  present  in  Europe  scarlatina  does  not  accom- 
pany it,  and  that  in  America,  with  scarlatina  constantly  prevailing  at 
some  point,  foot-and-mouth  disease  is.  unknown  except  at  long  inter- 
vals locally  and  as  the  result  of  the  importation  of  infected  animals 
or  their  products.  Man  is  susceptible  to  foot-and-mouth  disease,  but 
this  never  appears  during  the  frequent  epidemics  of  scarlatina. 

Among  other  contagious  forms  of  mammitis  I  may  name  one  which 
I  have  encountered  in  large  dairies,  starting  as  a  sore  and  slight  swell- 
ing at  the  opening  of  the  teat  and  extending  up  along  the  milk  duct 
to  the  gland  structure  in  the  bag,  all  of  which  become  indurated,  nodu- 
lar, and  painful.  The  milk  is  entirely  suppressed  in  that  quarter  of 
the  bag,  and  from  that  it  may  extend  to  the  others  as  it  does  from 
cow  to  cow  through  the  milker's  hands. 

Another  form  almost  universally  prevalent  in  this  district  of  cen- 
tral New  York  in  1889  broke  out  over  the  teats  and  udder  as  blisters 
strongly  resembling  cowpox,  but  which  were  not  propagated  when 
inoculated  on  calves.  It  was  only  exceptionally  that  this  extended 
through  the  teat  to  the  gland  tissue,  yet  in  some  instances  the  bag 
was  lost  from  this  cause.  Scarlatina  in  man  was  very  prevalent  at 
the  time  (many  schools  were  closed  in  consequence),  but  no  definite 
connection  seemed  to  exist  between  this  and  the  cow  disease,  and  on 
different  dairy  farms  there  were  families  of  young  children  that  had 
never  had  scarlet  fever  and  who  did  not  at  that  time  contract  it. 

The  most  common  cause  of  contagious  mammitis  in  cattle  is  a 
spherical  bacterium  in  chain  form  (Streptococcus).  (Moore,  Ward.) 
Yet  it  is  clear  that  contagious  mammitis  is  not  a  single  affection,  but 
a  group  of  diseases  which  have  this  in  common,  that  they  attack  the 
udder. 

Prevention. — Prevention  is  to  be  especially  sought  in  all  such  cases. 
In  purchasing  new  cows  see  that  they  come  from  a  herd  where  the 
teats  and  udder  are  sound.  If  a  new  cow  with  unknown  antecedents 
comes  from  a  public  market,  let  her  be  milked  for  a  week  b}^  a  person 
who  does  not  milk  any  other  cows.  Keep  her  in  a  separate  stall  from 
others,  so  that  there  may  be  no  infection  from  litter  or  flooring. 
Wash,  the  udder  with  soap  and  water,  and  wet  with  a  solution  of  two 
teaspoonf  uls  carbolic  acid  in  a  pint  of  water  before  letting  the  regular 
milker  of  the  other  cows  take  her.  If  any  cow  in  the  herd  shows  the 
indurated  end  of  the  teat  or  the  inflammation  and  nodular  tender 
character  of  the  gland,  separate  her  at  once  and  give  her  a  separate 
milker.  If  another  cow  is  to  be  put  into  the  stall  she  occupied,  first 
clean  and  scrape  it,  and  wet  it  with  a  strong  solution  of  bluestone, 


DISEASES   FOLLOWING   PARTURITION.  237 

5  ounces  in  a  gallon  of  water.  The  milk  may  be  drawn  off  with  a 
teat  tube,  or  spring  teat  dilator  (PL  XXIV,  figs.  3  and  4),  and  the 
milk  ducts  injected  frequently  with  a  solution  of  peroxide  of  hydro- 
gen or  iodoform.  I  have  had  little  success  in  checking  the  upward 
progress  of  the  disease  through  the  teat  with  carbolic  acid  or  boracic 
acid  solutions.  Used  on  the  outside  of  the  other  teats,  however, 
these  may  serve  to  prevent  them  from  becoming  infected.  In  the 
absence  of  peroxid  of  hydrogen  the  affected  teat  may  be  injected 
with  a  solution  of  1  grain  corrosive  sublimate  in  a  pint  of  water, 
and  the  same  may  be  used  on  the  other  teats,  provided  it  is  washed 
off  every  time  before  milking. 

As  additional  precautions,  no  cow  with  a  retained  afterbirth  or 
unhealthy  discharge  from  the  womb  should  be  left  with  the  other 
cows.  Such  cows  doubtless  infect  their  own  udders  and  those  of  the 
cows  next  them  by  lashing  with  the  soiled  tail.  If  milkers  handle 
retained  afterbirth  or  vaginal  discharge,  or  unhealthy  wounds,  or 
assist  in  a  difficult  and  protracted  parturition,  they  should  wash  the 
hands  and  arms  thoroughly  with  soap  and  warm  water  and  then  rub 
them  with  the  corrosive  sublimate  solution,  or  if  not,  at  least  with 
one  of  carbolic  acid.  Clothes  stained  with  such  offensive  products 
should  be  washed. 

The  general  treatment  of  contagious  mammitis  does  not  differ  from 
that  of  the  simple  form,  except  that  antiseptics  should  be  given  by 
the  mouth  as  well  as  applied  locally  (hyposulphite  of  soda,  one-half 
ounce  daily). 

COWPOX. 

This  is  another  form  of  contagious  inflammation  of  the  udder  which 
does  not  spread  readily  from  animal  to  animal  except  by  the  hands 
of  the  milker.  It  is  held  to  occur  spontaneously  in  the  cow,  but  this 
is  altogether  improbable,  and  so-called  spontaneous  cases  are  rather 
to  be  looked  on  as  instances  in  which  the  germs  have  been  preserved 
dry  in  the  buildings  or  introduced  in  some  unknown  manner.  It  is 
not  uncommon  in  the  horse,  attacking  the  heels,  the  lips,  or  some 
other  inoculated  part  of  the  body,  and  is  then  easily  transferred  to 
the  cow,  if  the  same  man  grooms  and  dresses  the  horse  and  milks  the 
cow.  It  may  also  appear  in  the  cow  by  infection,  more  or  less  direct, 
from  a  person  who  has  been  successfully  vaccinated.  Many  believe 
that  it  is  only  a  form  of  the  smallpox  of  man  modified  by  passing 
through  the  system  of  cow  or  horse.  It  is,  however,  unreasonable  to 
suppose  that  this  alleged  modified  smallpox  could  have  been  trans- 
mitted from  child  to  child  (the  most  susceptible  of  the  human  race) 
for  ninety  years,  under  all  possible  conditions,  without  once  revert- 
ing to  its  original  type  of  smallpox.  Chauveau's  experiments  on  bot  h 
cattle  and  horses  with  the  virus  of  smallpox  and  its  inoculation  back 
on  the  human  subject  go  far  to  show  that  in  the  climate  of  western 


238  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

Europe,  at  least,  no  such  transformation  takes  place.  Smallpox 
remains  smallpox  and  cowpox,  cowpox.  Again,  smallpox  is  com- 
municable to  a  person  who  visits  the  patient  in  his  room  but  avoids 
touching  him,  while  cowpox  is  never  thus  transferred  through  the  air 
unless  deliberately  diffused  in  the  form  of  spray.  The  demonstration 
of  a  protozoan  germ  in  smallpox  implies  a  similar  microbe  in  cowpox. 

The  disease  in  the  cow  is  ushered  in  by  a  slight  fever,  which,  how- 
ever, is  usually  overlooked,  and  the  first  sign  is  tenderness  of  the  teats. 
Examined,  these  may  be  redder  and  hotter  than  normal,  and  at  the  end 
of  two  days  there  appear  little  nodules,  like  small  peas,  of  a  pale-red 
color,  and  increasing  so  that  they  may  measure  three-fourths  of  an  inch 
to  1  inch  in  diameter  by  the  seventh  day.  The  yield  of  milk  diminishes, 
and  when  heated  it  coagulates  slightly.  From  the  seventh  to  the  tenth 
day  the  eruption  forms  into  a  blister  with  a  depression  in  the  center 
and  raised  margins,  and  from  which  the  whole  of  the  liquid  can  not  be 
drawn  out  by  a  single  puncture.  The  blister,  in  other  words,  is  cham- 
bered, and  each  chamber  must  be  opened  to  evacuate  the  whole  of  the 
contents.  If  the  pock  forms  on  a  surface  where  there  is  thick  hair,  it 
does  not  rise  as  a  blister,  but  oozes  out  a  straw-colored  fluid  which  con- 
cretes on  the  hairs  in  an  amber-colored  mass.  In  one  or  two  days  after 
the  pock  is  full  it  becomes  yellow  from  contained  pus,  and  then  dries 
into  a  brownish  yellow  scab,  which  finally  falls,  leaving  one  or  more 
distinct  pits  in  the  skin.  Upon  the  teats,  however,  this  regular  course 
is  rarely  seen;  the  vesicles  are  burst  by  the  hands  of  the  milker  as  soon 
as  liquid  is  formed,  and  as  they  continue  to  suffer  at  each  milking  they 
form  raw,  angry  sores,  scabbing  more  or  less  at  intervals,  but  slow  to 
undergo  healing. 

The  only  treatment  required  is  to  heal  the  sores;  and  as  milking  is 
the  main  cause  of  their  persistence,  that  must  be  done  as  gently  as 
possible,  or  even  with  the  teat  tube  or  dilator.  (PL  XXIV,  figs.  3  and  4. ) 
It  is  essential  to  check  the  propagation  of  the  germ,  and  for  this  pur- 
pose the  sore  teats  may  be  washed  frequently  with  a  solution  of  half 
an  ounce  hyposulphite  of  soda  in  a  pint  of  water.  This  will  usually 
check  the  inflammation  and  cut  short  the  malady. 

SUPPRESSION   OF  MILK. 

The  absence  of  milk  in  the  udder  may  result  from  ill  health,  debility, 
emaciation,  chronic  disease  of  the  bag,  wasting  of  the  gland  from  pre- 
vious disease,  or  insufficient  food,  but  sometimes  it  will  occur  suddenly 
without  any  appreciable  cause.  The  treatment  will  consist  in  remov- 
ing the  cause  of  the  disease,  feeding  well  on  rich  albuminoid  food  made 
into  warm  mashes,  and  giving  ounce  doses  of  aromatic  carminatives, 
like  anise-seed,  fennel-seed,  etc.  Rubbing  and  stripping  the  udder 
are  useful;  and  the  application  of  oil  of  lavender  or  of  turpentine,  or 
eveu  a  blister  of  Spanish  flies,  will  sometimes  succeed. 


DISEASES    FOLLOWING    PARTURITION.  239 

BLOODY   MILK. 

Blood  may  escape  with  the  milk  when  the  udder  has  been  injured 
by  blows,  also  when  it  is  congested  or  inflamed,  when  the  circulation 
through  it  has  been  suddenly  increased  by  richer  and  more  abundant 
food,  or  when  the  cow  is  under  the  excitement  of  heat.  The  milk 
frothing  up  and  assuming  a  pink  tinge  is  often  the  first  sign  of  red- 
water,  and  it  may  result  from  eating  acrid  or  irritant  plants,  like  the 
Ranunculace?e,  resinous  plants,  etc.  Deposits  of  tubercle  or  tumors 
in  the  udder,  or  induration  of  the  gland,  may  be  efficient  causes,  the 
irritation  caused  by  milking  contributing  to  draw  the  blood.  Finally, 
there  may  be  a  reddish  tinge  or  sediment  when  madder  or  logwood  has 
been  eaten. 

In  milk  which  becomes  red  after  it  is  drawn  it  may  be  due  to  the 
presence  in  it  of  the  Micrococcus  prodigiosus.  This  also  grows  on 
bread,  and  is  the  explanation  of  the  supposed  miracle  of  the  "bleed- 
ing host." 

The  treatment  will  vary  with  the  cause.  In  congested  glands  give 
1  pound  of  Epsom  salts,  and  daily  thereafter  one-half  ounce  saltpeter, 
with  a  dram  of  chlorate  of  potash ;  bathe  the  bag  with  hot  or  cold 
water,  and  rub  with  camphorated  lard.  If  the  food  is  too  rich  or 
abundant  it  must  be  reduced.  If  from  acrid  plants  these  must  be 
removed  from  pasture  or  fodder.  Induration  of  the  udder  may  be 
met  by  rubbing  with  a  combination  of  iodin  ointment  1  part,  soft 
soap  2  parts;  or  mercurial  ointment  and  soap  may  be  used.  Careful 
milking  is  imperative. 

BLUE  MILK. 

Watery  milk  is  blue,  but  the  presence  of  a  germ  (Bacillus  cyanogenes) 
causes  a  distinct  blue  shade  even  in  rich  milk  and  cream.  It  may 
reach  the  milk  after  it  has  been  drawn,  or  it  may  find  its  way  into  the 
opening  of  the  milk  ducts  and  enter  the  milk  as  it  is  drawn.  In  the 
latter  case,  frequent  milking  and  the  injection  into  the  teats  of  a  solu- 
tion of  2  drams  of  hyposulphite  of  soda  in  a  pint  of  water  will  serve 
to  destroy  them. 

STRINGY   MILK. 

This  may  be  caused  by  fungi  developing  in  the  liquid,  and  that  the 
spores  are  present  in  the  system  of  the  cow  may  be  safely  inferred 
from  the  fact  that  in  a  large  herd  two  or  three  cows  only  will  yield 
such  milk  at  a  time,  and  that  after  a  run  of  ten  days  or  a  fortnight 
they  will  recover  and  others  will  be  attacked.  I  have  found  that  such 
affected  cows  had  the  temperature  raised  one  or  two  degrees  above  the 
others.  Like  most  other  fungi  this  does  not  grow  out  into  filaments 
within  the  body  of  the  cow,  but  in  five  or  six  hours  after  milking  the 
surface  layers  are  found  to  be  one  dense  network  of  filaments.  If  a 
needle  is  dipped  in  this  and  lifted,  the  liquid  is  drawn  out  into  a  long 


240  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

thread.  In  one  case  which  I  investigated  near  Ithaca,  N.  Y.,  the 
contamination  was  manifestly  due  to  a  spring  which  oozed  out  of  a 
bank  of  black  muck  soil  and.  stood  in  pools  mixed  with  the  dejec- 
tions of  the  animals.  Inoculation  of  pure  milk  with  the  water  as  it 
flowed  out  of  this  bank  developed  in  it  the  fungus  and  the  stringy 
characters.  By  fencing  in  this  spring  and  giving  the  affected  cows 
each  2  drams  bisulphite  of  soda  daily,  the  trouble  was  arrested 
promptly  and  permanently. 

CHAPPED    TEATS. 

These  may  be  caused  by  anything  which  irritates  them.  The  power- 
ful sucking  of  the  calf,  the  sudden  chilling  of  the  teat  in  winter  after 
the  calf  has  just  let  it  go  or  after  the  completion  of  milking  with  a 
wet  hand ;  contact  with  cold  water,  or  stagnant  putrid  water,  or  with 
filth  or  irritants  when  lying  down;  slight  congestions  of  the  skin  in 
connection  with  overstocking,  and,  indeed,  auy  source  of  local  irrita- 
tion may  cause  chapping.  This  may  be  slight  or  extend  into  great 
gaping  sores  and  induce  retention  of  milk  or  even  mammitis.  Sooth- 
ing applications  of  vaseline,  or  a  combination  of  equal  parts  of  sper- 
maceti and  oil  of  sweet  almonds  may  be  applied.  If  healing  is  tardy, 
add  10  grains  balsam  of  Peru  to  the  ounce  of  ointment.  If  the  irri- 
tation is  very  great,  wash  first  with  a  solution  of  1  dram  sugar  of  lead 
in  1  pint  of  water,  and  then  apply  benzoated  oxide  of  zinc  ointment. 

WARTS    ON    THE    TEATS. 

These  are  often  very  troublesome,  yet  they  may  be  greatly  benefited 
or  entirely  removed  b}7  smearing  them  thickly  after  each  milking  with 
pure  olive  oil.  If  they  persist  they  may  be  cut  off  with  a  sharp  pair 
of  scissors  and  the  sore  touched  with  a  stick  of  lunar  caustic.  They 
may  now  be  oiled  and  the  caustic  repeated  as  demanded  to  prevent 
their  renewed  growth. 

Scabby  teats  may  be  smeared  with  vaseline  containing  enough  car- 
bolic acid  to  give  it  an  odor. 

TEAT  BLOCKED   BY   CONCRETION   OP   CASEIN. 

Under  unhealthy  conditions  of  the  gland  or  milk  ducts,  clots  of 
casein  form,  and  these,  pressed  clear  of  most  of  their  liquid  and  rolled 
into  rounded  masses,  may  block  the  passage.  They  can  be  moved  up 
and  down  by  manipulation  of  the  teat,  and  if  they  can  not  bo  pressed 
out  they  may  be  extracted  by  using  the  spring  teat  dilator  (PI.  XXIV, 
fig.  3),  being  held  surrounded  by  its  three  limbs.  Before  extraction 
is  attempted  an  ounce  of  almond  oil,  previously  boiled,  should  be 
injected  into  the  teat. 


DISEASES    FOLLOWING    PARTURITION.  241 

TEAT   BLOCKED    BY    CALCULUS.         ' 

When  the  calcareous  matter  of  the  milk  has  been  precipitated  in 
the  form  of  a  smooth,  rounded  stone,  a  rough  conglomerated  concre- 
tion, or  a  fine,  sand-like  debris,  it  may  cause  obstruction  and  irrita- 
tion. These  bodies  are  felt  to  be  much  harder  than  those  formed  by 
casein,  and  the  milk  usually  contains  gritty  particles.  Extraction 
may  be  attempted  by  simple  milking  in  the  case  of  the  finely  divided 
gritty  matter,  or  with  the  spring  dilator  (PI.  XXIV,  fig.  3)  in  the  case 
of  the  larger  masses.  Should  this  fail  the  teat  may  be  laid  open  with 
the  knife  and  sewed  up  again  or  closed  with  collodion,  but  such  an 
operation  is  best  deferred  until  the  cow  is  dry. 

TEAT   BLOCKED    BY    A    WARTY    OR    OTHER    GROWTH   INSIDE. 

In  this  case  the  obstruction  may  be  near  the  orifice  of  the  teat  or 
higher  up,  and  the  solid  mass  is  not  movable  up  and  down  with  the 
same  freedom  as  are  concretions  and  calculi.  The  movement  is  lim- 
ited by  the  elasticity  of  the  inner  membrane  of  the  teat  from  which  it 
grows,  and  is  somewhat  freer  in  certain  cases  because  the  growth  has 
become  loose  and  hangs  by  a  narrow  neck.  In  the  case  of  the  looser 
growths  they  may  be  snared  by  a  fine  spring  wire  passed  as  a  loop 
through  a  fine  tube  (like  a  teat  tube  open  at  each  end),  and  introduced 
into  the  teat.  When  this  can  not  be  done,  the  only  resort  is  to  cut 
in  and  excise  it  while  the  cow  is  dry. 

THICKENING     OF     THE     MUCOUS     MEMBRANE     AND     CLOSURE     OF     THE 

MILK  DUCT. 

As  a  result  of  inflammation  extending  from  without  inward,  a 
gradual  narrowing  of  the  milk  duct  may  occur  from  thickening  and 
narrowing  of  its  lining  membrane.  This  may  be  limited  to  a  small 
area  near  the  lower  end,  or  it  may  extend  through  the  whole  length 
of  the  teat.  The  stream  of  milk  becomes  finer  and  finer  until  it 
finally  ceases  altogether,  and  a  firm  cord  is  felt  running  through  the 
teat.  If  the  constriction  is  only  at  the  outlet,  the  teat  may  be  seized 
and  distended  by  pressing  the  milk  down  into  it  from  above,  and  an 
incision  may  be  made  with  a  sharp  penknife  in  two  directions  at  right 
angles  to  each  other  and  directly  in  the  original  opening.  The  knife 
should  be  first  cleansed  in  boiling  water.  The  opening  may  be  kept 
from  closing  by  a  dumb-bell  shaped  bougie  of  gutta-percha  (PI.  XXIV, 
fig.  5)  or  by  the  spring  dilator.  If  the  obstruction  is  more  extended 
it  may  be  perforated  bjr  Liithi's  perforating  sound.  (PI.  XXIV,  fig. 
la  and  lb.)  This  is  a  steel  wire  with  a  ring  at  one  end,  and  at  the 
other  is  screwed  on  to  the  wire  a  conical  cap  with  sharp  cutting  edges 
at  the  base,  which  scrapes  away  the  thickened  masses  of  cells  as  it  is 
drawn  back.  This  may  be  passed  again  and  again  to  sufficiently 
61386—08 16 


242  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

enlarge  the  passage,  and  then  the  passage  may  be  kept  open  by  wear- 
ing a  long  dumb-bell  bougie,  a  thick  piece  of  carbolized  catgut,  or  a 
spring  dilator.  If  the  passage  can  not  be  sufficiently  opened  with  the 
sound  it  may  be  incised  by  the  hidden  bistoury.  (PI.  XXIV,  fig.  2.) 
This  is  a  knife  lying  alongside  a  flattened  protector  with  smooth 
rounded  edges,  but  which  can  be  projected  to  any  required  distance 
by  a  lever  on  the  handle.  The  incisions  are  made  in  four  directions 
and  as  deep  as  may  be  necessary,  and  the  walls  can  then  be  held 
apart  by  the  spring  dilator  until  they  heal.  In  case  the  constriction 
and  thickening  of  the  canal  extend  the  whole  length  of  the  teat,  it  is 
practically  beyond  remedy,  as  the  gland  is  usually  involved  so  as  to 
render  it  useless. 

CLOSURE   OF   THE   MILK   DUCT   BY   A   MEMBRANE. 

In  this  form  the  duct  of  the  teat  is  closed  by  the  constriction  of  its 
lining  membrane  at  one  point,  usually  without  thickening.  The  clos- 
ure usually  takes  place  while  the  cow  is  dry;  otherwise  its  progress  is 
gradual,  and  for  a  time  the  milk  may  still  be  pressed  through  slowly. 
In  such  a  case,  if  left  at  rest,  the  lower  part  of  the  teat  fills  up  and  the 
milk  flows  in  a  full  stream  at  the  first  pressure,  but  after  this  it  will 
not  fill  up  again  without  sufficient  time  for  it  to  filter  through.  This  is 
to  be  cut  open  by  the  hidden  bistoury  (PI.  XXIV,  fig.  2),  which  may 
be  first  passed  through  the  opening  of  the  membrane,  if  such  exists. 
If  not  it  may  be  bored  through,  or  it  may  be  pressed  up  against  the 
membrane  at  one  side  of  the  teat  and  opened  toward  the  center,  so  as 
to  cut  its  way  through.  Incisions  should  be  made  in  at  least  two 
opposite  directions,  and  the  edges  may  be  then  held  apart  by  wearing 
the  spring  dilator  until  healing  has  been  completed. 

In  all  cases  of  operations  on  the  teats  the  instruments  must  be  thor- 
oughly disinfected  with  hot  water,  or  by  dipping  in  carbolic  acid  and 
then  in  water  that  has  been  boiled. 

OPENING   IN   THE    SIDE    OF   THE    TEAT  (MILK   FISTULA). 

This  may  occur  from  wounds  penetrating  the  milk  duct  aud  failing 
to  close,  or  it  may  be  congenital,  and  then  very  often  it  leads  to  a  dis- 
tinct milk  duct  and  an  independent  portion  of  the  gland.  In  the  first 
form  it  is  only  necessary  to  dissect  away  the  skin  leading  into  the  open- 
ing for  some  distance  down,  to  close  the  orifice  with  stitches,  and  to 
cover  the  whole  with  collodion.  A  teat  tube  or  spring  dilator  may  be 
worn  to  drain  off  the  milk  and  prevent  distention  and  reopening  of  the 
orifice.  In  case  of  an  independent  milk  duct  and  gland  one  of  two 
courses  may  be  selected — to  open  the  one  duct  into  the  other  by  inci- 
sion and  then  close  the  offending  opening,  or  to  inject  the  superfluous 
gland  through  its  duct  with  a  caustic  solution,  so  as  to  destroy  its 
secreting  power.  In  both  cases  it  is  desirable  to  wait  until  the  cow 
goes  dry. 


Diseases  of  Cattle. 


PLATE  XXII. 


SUPPORTS  FOR  PROLAPSED  UTERUS. 


Diseases  of  Cattle. 


PLATE  XXIII. 


SUPPORTS  FOR  PROLAPSED  UTERUS. 


Diseases  of  Cattle. 


PLATE  XXIV. 


/         * 


A 


B. 


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INSTRUMENTS  USED  IN   DISEASES  FOLLOWING  PARTURITION. 


DISEASES  FOLLOWING  PARTURITION. 

DESCRIPTION   OF   PLATES. 

Plates  XXII,  XXIII: 

Illustrate  various  appliances  used  in  prolapse  or  inversion  of  the  uterus.     The 
uterus  should  first  be  returned  to  its  proper  situation  and  then  some  appa- 
ratus applied  to  prevent  a  recurrence  of  the  inversion  or  protrusion. 
Plate  XXII: 

Fig.  1.  Crupper,  strap  truss — taken  from  Hill's  Bovine  Medicine  and  Surgery. 

Fig.  2.  Renault's  rope  truss.     The  rope  for  this  truss  should  be  from  25  to  30 
feet  long  and  about  the  thickness  of  the  little  finger. 
Plate  XXIII: 

Fig.  1.  Cow  to  which  Delwart's  rope  truss  has  been  applied. 

Fig.  1<(.  Shows  the  loop  of  Delwart's  truss. 

Fig.  2.  Zundel's  labial  sutures.  Those  consist  of  two  wires  passed  through 
the  lips  of  the  vulva  in  a  horizontal  direction,  and  two  additional  wires 
passed  through  the  loops  at  the  ends  of  the  horizontal  wires  in  order  to 
hold  them  in  place. 

Fig.  3.  Iron  truss  for  holding  the  vagina  or  uterus  in  place  after  calving. 
The  cords  are  passed  through  the  eyes  at  the  corners  of  the  triangular 
iron;  the  base  of  the  triangle  fits  under  the  tail.     The  truss  is  from  5  to  7 
inches  long  and  abotit  21  inches  wide. 
Plate  XXIV: 

Fig.  1.  Liithi's  perforating  sound,  for  opening  the  milk  canal  through  the 
teat  when  this  has  become  occluded;  A,  the  sound  one-half  the  natural 
size;  B,  section  of  head  of  sound,  natural  size,  showing  cutting  edge. 

Fig.  2.  Bistouri  cache.  A  blade  hidden  in  its  sheath  which  by  pressure  of  the 
finger  may  be  made  to  protrude  a  certain  distance.  This  distance  is 
regulated  by  the  screw  near  the  handle.  The  instrument  is  used  to  open 
the  milk  canal  when  closed  up.  It  is  introduced  into  the  milk  canal  with 
its  blade  in  the  sheath  and  withdrawn  with  the  blade  protruding. 

Fig.  3.  Spring  teat  dilator,  about  one-half  natural  size,  for  dilating  the  milk 
canal . 

Fig.  4.  Ring  teat  syphon,  for  withdrawing  milk  when  the  teat  is  sore  or 
injured. 

Fig.  5.  Guttapercha  bougie,  for  dilating  the  opening  of  the  teat. 

Fig.  0.  Truss  applied  to  calf  for  umbilical,  or  navel,  hernia.  From  Fleming's 
Veterinary  Obstetrics. 

Fig.  7.  Armatage's iron  clam  for  umbilical,  or  navel,  hernia.  When  this  clam 
is  applied  care  must  be  taken  not  to  include  a  portion  of  the  bowel. 

243 


DISEASES  OF  YOUNG  CALVES. 

By  James  Law,  F.  R.  C.  V.  S. . 
Professor  of  Veterinary  Science,  etc.,  in  Cornell  University. 

SUSPENDED    BREATHING. 

The  moment  the  circulation  through  the  navel  string  is  stopped  the 
blood  of  the  calf  begins  to  get  overcharged  with  carbon  dioxid  (CO,), 
and  unless  breathing  is  speedily  established  death  promptly  follows. 
Fortunately  the  desire  to  breathe,  roused  by  the  circulation  of  the 
venous  blood  and  the  reflex  action  from  the  wet  and  chilling  skin, 
usually  at  once  starts  the  contractions  of  the  diaphragm  and  life  is 
insured.  Among  the  obstacles  to  breathing  may  be  named  suffoca- 
tion before  or  during  birth  from  compression  of  the  navel  cord  and 
the  arrest  of  its  circulation;  the  detachment  of  the  fetal  membranes 
from  the  womb  before  the  calf  is  born;  a  too  free  communication 
between  the  two  auricles  of  the  heart  (foramen  ovale)  by  which  the 
nonaerated  blood  has  mixed  too  abundantlj7  with  the  aerated  and 
induced  debility  and  profound  weakness;  a  condition  of  ill  health 
and  debility  of  the  calf  as  a  result  of  semistarvation,  overwork,  or 
disease  of  the  cow;  fainting  in  such  debilitated  calf  when  calving  has 
been  difficult  and  prolonged;  the  birth  of  the  calf  with  its  head  envel- 
oped in  the  fetal  membranes,  so  that  it  has  been  unable  to  breathe, 
and  the  presence  of  tenacious  phlegm  in  the  mouth  and  nose,  acting 
in  the  same  manner. 

Besides  the  importance  of  proper  care  and  feeding  of  the  cow  as  a 
preventive  measure,  attention  should  be  given  at  once  to  relieve  the 
newborn  calf  of  its  investing  membrane  and  of  any  mucus  that  has 
collected  in  mouth  or  nostrils.  Wiping  out  the  nose  deeply  with  a 
finger  or  feather  excites  to  sneezing,  hence  to  breathing.  Blowing 
into  the  nose  has  a  similar  effect.  Sucking  the  nostril  through  a  tube 
applied  to  it  is  even  more  effective.  Slapping  the  chest  with  the  palm 
of  the  hand  or  with  a  towel  dipped  in  cold  water,  compression  and 
relaxation  alternately  of  the  walls  of  the  chest,  may  start  the  action, 
and  ammonia  or  even  tobacco  smoke  blown  into  the  nose  ma}r  suffice. 
Every  second  is  precious,  however,  and  if  possible  the  lungs  should 
be  dilated  by  forcibly  introducing  air  from  a  bellows  or  from  the 
human  lungs.  As  the  air  is  blown  in  through  bellows  or  a  tube  the 
upper  end  of  the  windpipe  must  be  pressed  back  against  the  gullet, 
as  otherwise  the  air  will  go  to  the  stomach.  In  a  large  dairy  a  piece 
244 


DISEASES    OF    YOUNG    CALVES.  245 

of  elastic  tubing  one-third  of  an  inch  in  bore  should  be  kept  at  hand 
for  sucking  and  blowing  in  such  cases. 

BLEEDING  FROM  THE  NAVEL. 

This  may  occur  in  two  conditions — when  the  cord  is  cut  off  too 
close  to  the  navel  and  left  untied  and  when  it  tears  off  at  the  navel. 
(PI.  XIV.)  It  may  also  bleed  when  torn  across  naturally,  if  it  is 
sucked  by  the  dam  or  another  calf.  In  an  animal  with  little  plas- 
tic^ to  its  blood  it  will  flow  under  almost  any  circumstances. 
Where  any  cord  is  left  it  is  always  safe  to  tie  it,  and  it  is  only  when 
it  is  swollen  and  may  possibly  contain  a  loop  of  the  bowel  that  there 
is  danger  in  doing  so.  By  pressing  upward  any  bulky  contents  such 
danger  is  avoided.  If  torn  or  cut  too  close  to  be  tied  the  bleeding 
may  be  checked  by  applying  alum,  copperas,  or  for  a  fraction  of  a 
second  the  end  of  an  iron  rod  at  a  dull-red  heat.  If  much  blood  has 
been  lost  it  may  be  requisite  to  transfuse  several  ounces  of  blood  or 
of  a  weak  common-salt  solution  into  the  open  umbilical  vein. 

URINE    DISCHARGED    THROUGH    THE    NAVEL    (PERSISTENT    URACHUS). 

Before  birth  the  urine  passes  from  the  bladder  by  a  special  tube 
through  the  navel  and  navel  string  into  the  outer  water  bag  (allan- 
tois).  (PI.  XII.)  This  closes  at  birth,  and  the  tube  shrinks  into  a 
fine  cord  up  to  the  bladder.  It  is  only  in  the  bull  calf  that  it  is  likely 
to  remain  open,  doubtless  because  of  the  long,  narrow  channel  through 
which  the  urine  must  otherwise  escape.  The  urethra,  too,  is  some- 
times abnormally  narrow,  or  even  closed,  in  the  male.  If  part  of  the 
cord  remains  tie  it  and  allow  the  whole  to  wither  up  naturall}*.  If 
the  cord  has  been  removed  and  the  tube  (urachus)  protrudes,  dis- 
charging the  urine,  that  alone  must  be  tied.  If  there  is  nothing 
pendent  the  urachus  must  be  seized,  covered  by  the  skin,  and,  a 
curved  needle  being  passed  through  the  skin  and  above  the  duct,  it 
may  be  tied  along  with  this  skin.  A  blister  of  Spanish  flies,  causing 
swelling  of  the  skin,  will  often  close  the  orifice.  So  with  the  hot  iron. 
If  the  urethra  of  the  male  is  impervious  it  can  rarely  be  remedied. 

INFLAMMATION    OF    THE    URACHUS  (NAVEL    URINE    DUCT). 

This  may  originate  in  direct  mechanical  injury  to  the  navel  in 
calving,  or  shortly  after,  with  or  without  the  lodgment  of  irritant  and 
septic  matter  on  its  lacerated  or  cut  end.  The  mere  contact  with 
healthy  urine,  hitherto  harmless,  can  now  be  looked  on  as  becoming 
suddenly  irritating.  The  affection  is  usually  marked  by  the  presence 
of  redness  and  swelling  at  the  posterior  part  of  the  navel  and  the 
escape  of  urine  and  a  few  drops  of  whitish  serous  pus  from  the  orifice 
of  the  urachus.  In  those  cases  in  which  urine  is  not  discharged  a 
tender  swelling,  like  a  thick  cord  extending  upward  and  backward 


246  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

from  the  navel  into  the  abdomen,  may  be  identified.  The  navel 
enlargement  may  be  considerable,  but  it  is  solid,  does  not  gurgle  on 
handling,  and  can  not  be  done  away  with  by  pressing  it  back  into  the 
abdomen,  as  in  a  case  of  hernia. 

In  cases  at  first  closed  the  pus  may  burst  out  later,  coming  from  the 
back  part  of  the  navel  and  the  swelling  extending  backward.  In 
other  cases  whitish  pus  may  pass  with  the  urine  by  the  ordinary  chan- 
nel, showing  that  it  has  opened  back  into  the  bladder.  In  other  cases 
the  umbilical  veins  become  involved,  in  which  case  the  swelling 
extends  forward  as  well  as  backward.  Thus  the  disease  may  result  in 
destructive  disorders  of  the  liver,  lungs,  and,  above  all,  of  the  joints. 

The  disease  may  usually  be  warded  off  or  rendered  simple  and  com- 
paratively harmless  by  applying  antiseptics  to  the  navel  string  at 
birth  (carbolic  acid  1  part,  water  and  glycerin  5  parts  each,  or  wood 
tar).  Later,  antiseptics  may  be  freely  used  (hyposulphite  of  soda  4 
drams,  water  1  quart)  as  an  application  to  the  surface  and  as  an 
injection  into  the  urachus,  or  even  into  the  bladder  if  the  two  still 
communicate.  If  they  no  longer  communicate,  a  stronger  injection 
may  be  used  (tincture  of  perchlorid  of  iron  60  drops,  alcohol  1  ounce). 
Several  weeks  will  be  required  for  complete  recovery. 

ABSCESS   OF   THE   NAVEL. 

As  the  result  of  irritation  at  calving  or  by  the  withered  cord,  or  by 
licking  with  the  rough  tongue  of  the  cow,  inflammation  may  attack 
the  loose  connective  tissue  of  the  navel  to  the  exclusion  of  the  urachus 
and  veins,  and  go  on  to  the  formation  of  matter.  In  this  case  a  firm 
swelling  appears  as  large  as  the  fist,  which  softens  in  the  center  and 
may  finally  burst  and  discharge.  The  opening,  however,  is  usually 
small  and  may  close  prematurely,  so  that  abscess  after  abscess  is 
formed.  It  is  distinguished  from  hernia  by  the  fact  that  it  can  not 
be  returned  into  the  abdomen,  and  from  inflammations  of  the  veins 
and  urachus  by  the  absence  of  swellings  forward  and  backward  along 
the  lines  of  these  canals. 

Treatment. — Treatment  consists  in  an  early  opening  of  the  abscess 
by  a  free  incision  and  the  injection  twice  a  day  of  an  astringent  anti- 
ic  (chlorid  of  zinc  one-half  dram,  water  1  pint). 

INFLAMMATION   OF   THE   NAVEL  VEINS  (UMBILICAL   PHLEBITIS). 

In  this  affection  of  the  navel  the  inflammation  may  start  directly 
from  mechanical  injury,  as  in  either  of  the  two  forms  just  described, 
but  on  this  are  inoculated  infective  microbes,  derived  from  a  retained 
and  putrefying  afterbirth,  an  abortion,  a  metritis,  a  fetid  discharge 
from  the  womb,  an  unhealthy  open  sore,  a  case  of  erysipelas,  from 
overcrowding,  from  filthy  floor  or  bedding,  or  from  an  offensive 
accumulation  of  manure,  solid  or  liquid.  As  the  microbes  vary  in 
different  cases,  given  outbreaks  will  differ  materially  in  their  nature. 


DISEASES    OF    YOUNG    CALVES.  247 

One  is  erysipelatoid ;  another  purulent  infection  with  the  tendency  to 
secondary  abscesses  in  the  joints,  liver,  lungs,  etc. ;  another  is  due  to 
a  septic  germ  and  is  associated  with  fetid  discharge  from  the  navel 
and  general  putrid  blood  poisoning.  In  estimating  the  causes  of  the 
disease  we  must  not  omit  debility  of  the  calf  when  the  mother  has 
been  underfed  or  badly  housed  or  when  either  she  or  the  fetus  has 
been  diseased. 

Symptoms. — The  symptoms  will  vary.  With  the  chain-form  germs 
(streptococci)  the  navel  becomes  intensely  red,  with  a  very  firm,  pain- 
ful swelling,  ending  abruptly  at  the  edges  in  sound  skin  and  extend- 
ing forward  along  the  umbilical  veins.  The  secondary  diseases  are 
circumscribed  black  engorgements  (infarctions)  or  abscesses  of  the 
liver,  lungs,  kidneys,  bowels,  or  other  internal  organs,  and  sometimes 
disease  of  the  joints. 

With  the  ordinary  pus-producing  germs  {Staphylococcus  pyogenes 
aureus  and  Streptococcus  pyogenes)  the  local  inflammation  in  the 
navel  causes  a  hot,  painful  swelling,  which  rapidly  advances  to  the 
formation  of  matter  (pus),  and  the  raw,  exposed  surface,  at  first  bright 
red,  becomes  dark  red  or  black,  soft,  friable,  and  pultaceous.  If  the 
pus  is  white,  creamy,  and  comparative^  inoffensive  in  odor,  the  sec- 
ondary formations  in  internal  organs  and  joints  are  mainly  of  the  same 
purulent  character  (secondary  abscesses). 

If,  on  the  other  hand,  the  discharge  is  very  offensive  and  the  pus 
more  serous  or  watery  or  bloody,  there  is  reason  to  suspect  the  pres- 
ence of  some  of  the  septic  bacteria,  and  the  results  on  the  general 
system  are  a  high  fever  and  softening  of  the  liver  and  spleen  and  no 
tendency  to  abscesses  of  the  internal  organs.  Diarrhea  is  a  common 
symptom,  and  death  ensues  early,  the  blood  after  death  being  found 
unclotted. 

Complicated  cases  are  common,  and  in  all  alike  the  umbilical  veins 
usually  remain  open  and  can  be  explored  by  a  probe  passed  at  first 
upward  and  then  forward  toward  the  liver. 

Prevention  is  sought  by  applying  a  lotion  of  carbolic  acid  or  iodine 
solution  to  the  navel  string  at  birth,  or  it  may  be  smeared  with  com- 
mon wood  tar,  which  is  at  once  antiseptic  and  a  protective  covering 
against  germs.  In  the  absence  of  either  a  strong  decoction  of  tea  of 
oak  bark  may  be  used. 

Local  treatment  consists  in  the  application  of  antiseptics  to  the  sur- 
face and  their  injection  into  the  vein.  As  a  lotion  use  carbolic  acid, 
1  ounce  in  a  quart  of  strong  decoction  of  oak  bark,  or  salicylic  acid 
or  salol  may  be  sprinkled  on  the  surface.  The  interior  of  the  vein 
should  be  swabbed  out  with  a  probe  wrapped  around  with  cotton  wool 
and  dipped  in  boracic  or  salicylic  acid. 

If  complications  have  extended  to  the  liver  or  other  internal  organs, 
or  the  joints,  other  treatment  will  be  demanded.  In  acute  cases  of 
general  infection  an  early  fatal  result  is  to  be  expected. 


248  diseases  of  cattle. 

pyemic  and  septicemic  inflammation  of  joints  in  calves 

(joint-ill). 

This  occurs  in  young  calves  within  the  first  months  after  birth;  it 
persists  in  the  joints  when  once  attacked,  and  is  usually  connected 
with  disease  of  the  navel.  Rheumatism,  on  the  other  hand,  rarely 
occurs  in  a  calf  under  a  month  old.  It  tends  to  shift  from  joint  to 
joint  and  is  independent  of  any  navel  disease.  Rheumatism,  again, 
affects  the  fibrous  structures  of  the  joints,  and  rarely  results  in  the 
formation  of  white  matter,  while  the  affection  before  named  attacks 
the  structures  outside  as  well  as  inside  the  joints  and,  above  all,  the 
ends  of  the  bones,  and  tends  to  the  destruction  and  crumbling  of 
their  tissue  and  even  to  the  formation  of  open  sores,  through  which 
the  fragile  bones  are  exposed.  The  microbes  from  the  unhealthy  and 
infected  wound  in  the  navel  pass  into  the  system  through  the  veins, 
or  lymphatics,  and  form  colonies  and  local  inflammations  and 
abscesses  in  and  around  the  joints. 

Symptoms. — The  symptoms  are  swelling  of  one  or  more  joints,  which 
are  very  hot  and  tender.  The  calf  is  stiff  and  lame,  lies  down  con- 
stantly, and  cares  not  to  suck.  There  is  very  high  fever  and  acceler- 
ated breathing  and  pulse,  and  there  is  swelling  and  purulent  dis- 
charge (often  fetid)  from  the  navel.  There  may  be  added  symptoms 
of  disease  of  the  liver,  lungs,  heart,  or  bowels,  on  which  we  need  not 
here  delay.  The  important  point  is  to  determine  the  condition  of  the 
navel  in  all  such  cases  of  diseased  and  swolkn  joints  beginning  in 
the  first  month  of  life,  and  in  all  cases  of  general  stiffness,  for  besides 
the  diseases  of  the  internal  organs  there  may  be  abscesses  formed 
among  the  muscles  of  the  trunk,  though  the  joints  appear  sound. 
Cases  of  this  kind,  if  they  do  not  speedily  die,  tend  to  become  emaci- 
ated and  perish  later  in  a  state  of  weakness  and  exhaustion. 

Prevention. — Prevention  must  begin  with  the  purity  of  the  build- 
ings and  the  navel,  as  noted  in  the  last  article. 

Treatment. — Treatment  is  in  the  main  antiseptic.  The  slighter 
forms  may  be  painted  daily  with  tincture  of  iodin;  or  an  ointment  of 
biniodid  of  mercury  (1  dram)  and  lard  (2  ounces)  may  be  rubbed  on 
the  affected  joints  daily  until  they  are  blistered.  In  case  of  swellings 
containing  matter  this  may  be  drawn  off  through  the  nozzle  of  a  hypo- 
dermic syringe  and  the  following  solution  injected:  Compound  tinc- 
ture of  iodine,  1  dram;  distilled  (or  boiled)  water,  2  ounces.  Inter- 
nally the  calf  may  take  5  grains  quinia  twice  daily  and  15  grains 
hyposulphite  of  soda,  or  20  grains  salicylate  of  soda  three  times  a  day. 

UMBILICAL   HERNIA  (BREACH   AT   THE  NAVEL). 

This  may  exist  at  birth  from  imperfect  closure  of  the  muscles  around 
the  opening;  it  may  even  extend  backward  for  a  distance,  from  the 
two  sides  failing  to  come  together.  Apart  from  this,  the  trouble  rarely 
appears  after  the  calf  has  been  some  time  on  solid  food,  as  the  paunch. 


DISEASES    OF    YOUNG    CALVES.  249 

then  extends  down  to  the  right  immediately  over  the  navel,  and  thus 
forms  an  internal  pad,  preventing  the  protrusion  of  intestine. 

Symptoms. — The  symptoms  of  umbilical  hernia  are  a  soft  swelling 
at  the  navel,  with  contents  that  usually  gurgle  on  handling,  and  can 
be  entirely  returned  into  the  abdomen  by  pressure.  The  diseases  of 
the  navel  hitherto  considered  have  not  gurgling  contents,  and  can  not 
be  completely  returned  into  the  abdomen.  The  only  exception  in  the 
case  of  the  hernia  is  when  the  walls  of  the  sac  have  become  greai  ly 
thickened;  these  will,  of  course,  remain  as  a  swelling  after  the  bowel 
has  been  returned ;  and  when  the  protruding  bowel  has  contracted 
permanent  adhesions  to  the  sac  it  is  impossible  to  return  it  fully  with- 
out first  severing  that  connection. 

Treatment. — Treatment  is  not  always  necessary.  A  small  hernia, 
like  an  egg,  in  a  new-born  calf,  will  usually  recover  of  itself  as  the 
animal  changes  its  diet  to  solid  food  and  has  the  paunch  fully  devel- 
oped as  an  internal  pad. 

In  other  cases  apply  a  leather  pad  of  8  inches  square  attached  around 
the  body  by  two  elastic  bands  connected  with  its  four  corners,  and  an 
elastic  band  passing  from  its  front  border  to  a  collar  encircling  the 
neck,  and  two  other  elastic  bands  from  the  neck  collar  along  the  two 
sides  of  the  body  to  the  two  bands  passing  up  over  the  back.  (PL 
XXIV,  fig.  6.) 

For  small  hernias  nitric  acid  may  be  used  to  destroy  the  skin  and 
cause  such  swelling  as  to  close  the  orifice  before  the  skin  is  separated. 
For  a  mass  like  a  large  goose  egg  one-half  ounce  of  the  acid  may  be 
rubbed  in  for  three  minutes.  No  more  must  be  applied  for  fifteen 
days.  For  large  masses  this  is  inapplicable,  and  with  too  much  loss 
of  skin  the  orifice  may  fail  to  close  and  the  bowels  may  escape. 

The  application  of  a  clamp  like  those  used  in  castration  is  a  most 
effective  method,  but  great  care  must  be  taken  to  see  that  all  the  con- 
tents of  the  sac  are  returned  so  that  none  may  be  inclosed  in  the 
clamp.     (PL  XXIV,  fig.  7.) 

Another  most  effective  resort  is  to  make  a  saturated  solution  of  com- 
mon salt,  filter  and  boil  it,  and  when  cool  inject  under  the  skin  (not 
into  the  sac)  on  each  side  of  the  hernia  a  dram  of  the  fluid.  A  band- 
age may  then  be  put  around  the  body.  In  ten  hours  an  enormous 
swelling  will  have  taken  place,  pressing  back  the  bowel  into  the  abdo- 
men.    When  this  subsides  the  wound  will  have  closed. 

DROPSY    OF    THE    NAVEL. 

A  sac  formed  at  the  navel,  by  contained  liquid  accumulated  by  rea- 
son of  sucking  by  other  calves,  is  unsightly  and  sometimes  injurious. 
After  making  sure  that  it  is  simply  a  dropsical  collection  it  may  be 
deeply  punctured  at  various  points  with  a  large-sized  lancet  or  knife, 
fomented  with  hot  water,  and  then  daily  treated  with  a  strong  decoc- 
tion of  white-oak  bark. 


250  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

THE   BLUE    DISEASE    ( CYANOSIS). 

This  appearing  in  the  calf  at  birth  is  due  to  the  orifice  between  the 
two  auricles  of  the  heart  (foramen  ovale)  remaining  too  open,  allowing 
the  nonaeratel  (venous)  blood  to  mix  with  the  aerated  (arterial)  blood, 
and  it  is  beyond  the  reach  of  treatment.  It  is  recognized  by  the  blue- 
ness  of  the  eyes,  nose,  mouth,  and  other  mucous  membranes,  the  cold- 
ness of  the  surface,  and  the  extreme  sensitiveness  to  cold. 

CONSTIPATION. 

At  birth  the  bowels  of  the  calf  contain  the  meconium,  a  tenacious, 
gluey,  brownish  yellow  material  largely  derived  from  the  liver,  which 
must  be  expelled  before  they  can  start  their  functions  normally.  The 
first  milk  of  the  cow  (colostrum,  beestings),  rich  in  albumen  and 
salts,  is  nature's  laxative  to  expel  this  now  offensive  material  and 
should  never  be  withheld  from  the  calf.  If,  for  lack  of  this,  from  the 
dry  feeding  of  the  cow,  or  from  any  other  cause,  the  calf  is  costive, 
straining  violently  without  passage,  lying  down  and  rising  as  in  colic, 
and  failing  in  appetite,  no  time  should  be  lost  in  giving  relief  by  an 
ounce  dose  of  castor  oil,  assisting  its  action  by  injections  of  soapsuds 
or  oil.  Whatever  meconium  is  within  reach  of  the  finger  should  be 
carefully  removed.  It  is  also  important  to  give  the  cow  a  sloppy,  laxa- 
tive diet. 

INDIGESTION. 

This  may  occur  from  many  different  causes,  as  costiveness;  a  too 
liberal  supply  of  milk;  milk  too  rich;  the  furnishing  of  the  milk  of  a 
cow  long  after  calving  to  a  very  young  calf;  allowing  a  calf  to  suck 
the  first  milk  of  a  cow  that  has  been  hunted,  driven  by  road,  shipped 
by  rail,  or  otherwise  violently  excited;  allowing  the  calf  too  long  time 
between  meals,  so  that  impelled  by  hunger  it  quickly  overloads  and 
clogs  the  stomach;  feeding  from  the  pail  milk  that  has  been  held  over 
in  unwashed  (unscalded)  buckets,  so  that  it  is  fermented  and  spoiled; 
feeding  the  milk  of  cows  kept  on  unwholesome  food;  keeping  the 
calves  in  cold,  damp,  dark,  filthy,  or  bad-smelling  pens;  feeding  the 
calves  on  artificial  mixtures  containing  too  much  starchy  matter;  or 
overfeeding  the  calves  on  artificial  food  that  may  be  appropriate 
enough  in  smaller  amount.  The  licking  of  hair  from  themselves  or 
others  and  its  formation  into  balls  in  the  stomach  will  cause  obstinate 
indigestion  in  the  calf. 

Symptoms. — The  symptoms  are  dullness,  indisposition  to  move,  un- 
easiness, eructations  of  gas  from  the  stomach,  sour  breath,  entire  loss 
of  appetite,  lying  down  and  rising  as  if  in  pain,  fullness  of  the  abdo- 
men, which  gives  out  a  drumlike  sound  when  tapped  with  the  fingers. 
The  costiveness  may  be  marked  at  first,  but  soon  it  gives  place  to 
diarrhea,  by  which  the  offensive  matters  may  be  carried  off  and  health 


DISEASES    OF    YOUNG    CALVES.  251 

restored.  In  other  cases  it  becomes  aggravated,  merges  into  inflam- 
mation of  the  "bowels,  fever  sets  in,  and  the  calf  gradually  sinks. 

Prevention. — Prevention  consists  in  avoiding  the  causes  above 
enumerated  or  any  others  that  may  be  detected. 

Treatment. — Treatment  consists  in  first  clearing  away  the  irritant 
present  in  the  bowels.  For  this  purpose  1  or  2  ounces  of  castor  oil 
with  20  drops  of  laudanum  may  be  given,  and  if  the  sour  eructa- 
tions are  marked  a  tablespoonful  of  limewater  or  one-fourth  ounce 
calcined  magnesia  may  be  given  and  repeated  two  or  three  times  a 
day.  If  the  disorder  continues  after  the  removal  of  the  irritant,  a 
large  tablespoonful  of  rennet,  or  30  grains  of  pepsin,  may  be  given  at 
each  meal  along  with  a  teaspoonf  ul  of  tincture  of  gentian.  Any  return 
of  constipation  must  be  treated  by  injections  of  warm  water  and  soap, 
while  the  persistence  of  diarrhea  must  be  met  as  advised  under  the 
article  following  this.  In  case  of  the  formation  of  loose  ha'ir  balls 
inclosing  milk  undergoing  putrid  fermentation  temporary  benefit  may 
be  obtained  by  giving  a  tablespoonful  of  vegetable  charcoal  three  or 
four  times  a  day,  but  the  only  real  remedy  for  these  is  to  cut  open  the 
paunch  and  extract  them.  At  this  early  age  they  may  be  found  in 
the  third  or  even  the  fourth  stomach;  in  the  adult  they  are  confined 
to  the  first  two,  and  are  comparatively  harmless. 

DIARRHEA   (SCOURING)    IN   CALVES   (SIMPLE   AND   CONTAGIOUS). 

As  stated  in  the  last  article,  scouring  is  a  common  result  of  indi- 
gestion, and  at  first  may  be  nothing  more  than  an  attempt  of  nature 
to  relieve  the  stomach  and  bowels  of  offensive  and  irritating  contents. 
As  the  indigestion  persists,  however,  the  fermentatious  going  on  in 
the  undigested  masses  become  steadily  more  complex  and  active,  and 
what  was  at  first  the  mere  result  of  irritation  or  suspended  digestion 
comes  to  be  a  genuine  contagious  disease,  in  which  the  organized  fer- 
ments (bacteria)  propagate  the  affection  from  animal  to  animal  and 
from  herd  to  herd.  More  than  once  I  have  seen  such  epizootic  diar- 
rhea start  on  the  headwaters  of  a  creek,  and,  traveling  along  that 
stream,  follow  the  watershed  and  attack  the  herds  supplied  with 
water  from  the  contaminated  channel.  In  the  same  way  the  disease, 
once  started  in  a  cow  stable,  is  liable  to  persist  for  years,  or  until  the 
building  has  been  thoroughly  cleansed  and  disinfected.  It  may  be 
carried  into  a  healthy  stable  by  the  introduction  of  a  cow  brought 
from  an  infected  stable  when  she  is  closely  approaching  calving. 
Another  method  of  its  introduction  is  by  the  purchase  of  a  calf  from 
a  herd  where  the  infection  exists. 

In  enumerating  the  other  causes  of  this  disease  we  may  refer  to 
those  noted  above  as  inducing  indigestion.  As  a  primary  considera- 
tion, any  condition  which  lowers  the  vitality  or  vigor  of  the  calf  must 
be  accorded  a  prominent  place  among  factors  which,  apart  from  con- 
tagion, contribute  to  start  the  disease  de  novo.     Other  things  being 


252 


DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 


equal,  the  strong,  vigorous  races  are  the  least  predisposed  to  the  mal- 
ady, and  in  this  respect  the  compact  form,  the  healthy  coat,  the  clear 
eye,  and  the  bold,  active  carriage  are  desirable.  Even  the  color  of 
the  hair  is  not  unimportant,  as  in  the  same  herd  I  have  found  a  far 
greater  number  of  victims  among  the  light  colors  (light  yellow,  light 
brown)  than  among  those  of  a  darker  tint.  This  constitutional  pre- 
disposition to  indigestion  and  diarrhea  is  sometimes  fostered  by  too 
close  breeding,  without  taking  due  account  of  the  maintenance  of  a 
robust  constitution,  and  hence  animals  that  are  very  much  inbred 
aeed  to  bo  especially  observed  and  cared  for  unless  their  inherent 
vigor  has  been  thoroughly  attested. 

The  surroundings  of  the  calf  are  powerful  influences.  Calves  kept 
indoors  suffer  to  a  greater  extent  than  those  running  in  the  open  air 
and  having  the  invigorating  influences  of  sunshine,  pure  air,  and  exer- 
cise; but  close,  crowded,  filthy,  bad-smelling  buildings  are  especially 
causative  of  the  complaint.  The  presence  in  the  air  of  carbon  diox- 
ide, the  product  of  breathing,  and  of  the  fetid  gaseous  products  of 
decomposing  dung  and  urine  diminish  by  about  one-fourth  of  their 
volume  the  life-giving  oxygen,  and  in  the  same  ratio  hinder  the  aera- 
tion of  the  blood  and  the  maintenance  of  vigorous  health.  Worse 
than  this,  such  fetid  gases  are  usually  direct  poisons  to  the  animal 
breathing  them;  for  example,  sulphureted  hydrogen  (hydrogen  sul- 
phide 2  SH2)  and  various  alkaloids  (ptomaines)  and  toxins  (neutral 
poisonous  principles)  produced  in  the  filth  fermentations.  These 
lower  the  general  health  and  stamina,  impair  digestion,  and  by  lead- 
ing to  the  accumulation  in  stomach  and  bowels  of  undigested  mate- 
rials they  lay  the  foundation  for  offensive  fermentations  within  these 
organs,  and  consequent  irritation,  poisoning,  and  diarrhea.  They 
further  weaken  the  system  so  that  it  can  no  longer  resist  and  overcome 
the  trouble. 

The  condition  of  the  nursing  cow  and  her  milk  is  another  potent 
cause  of  trouble.  The  food  of  the  cow  is  important.  The  influence 
of  this  is  shown  in  the  following  tables: 

Becquerel  and  Vernois. 


Casein 

Character  of  feed. 

Water. 

and  ex- 
tractive 
matter. 

Milk 
sugar. 

Butter. 

Salts. 

Cows  on  winter  feed: 

Trefoil  or  lucern,  12-13  pounds;  oat  straw,  9-10 

Parts  in 
1,000. 

Parts  in 

1,000. 

Parts  in 

1,000. 

Parts  in 

1,000. 

Parts  in 

1,000. 

pounds;  beets,  7  pounds;  water,  2  buckets  . . . 

871.26 

47.81 

33.47 

42.07 

5.34 

Cows  on  summer  feed: 

Green  trefoil,  lucern,  maize,  barley,  grass,  2 

859.56 

54.70 

36.38 

42.76 

6.80 

Goat's  milk  on  different  feed: 

858.68 
888. 77 
844.90 

47.38 
33.81 

a5. 14 

35.47 
38.02 
36.90 

52.54 
33.68 

56.87 

5.93 

5.72 

6.18 

DISEASES    OF   YOUNG    CALVES. 


253 


In  these  examples  the  deterioration  of  the  milk  in  casein  on  the  less 
nutritious  winter  feeding  is  very  marked,  although  the  relative  amount 
of  butter  remains  almost  unchanged.  In  the  case  of  the  goat  the 
result  is  even  more  striking,  the  beet  diet  giving  a  very  large  decrease 
of  both  casein  and  butter  and  an  increase  of  milk  sugar. 

The  following  table,  condensed  from  the  Iowa  Agricultural  Experi- 
ment Station  Bulletin,  gives  the  results  in  butter  and  total  solids  when 
the  same  cows  were  fed  on  different  rations  in  succession.  Each  cow 
was  fed  a  daily  ration  of  12  pounds  corn  fodder  and  4  pounds  clover 
hay,  besides  the  test  diet  of  (1)  12£  pounds  corn  and  cob  meal,  and  (2) 
10  pounds  sugar  meal — a  product  of  the  glucose  manufacture.  This 
special  feed  was  given  seven  days  before  the  commencement  of  each 
test  period  to  obviate  the  effects  of  transition.  The  analyses  of  the 
special  rations  are  given  below: 


Constituents. 


Moisture 

Salts 

Fat 

Carbohydrates  (heat  formers) 

Woody  fiber 

Proteids  (flesh  formers) 


Corn  and 
cob  meal. 


Per  cent. 

13.37 
1.43 
2.81 

65.99 
8.03 
8.37 


Sugar 
meal. 


Per  cent. 
6.10 
1.17 
11.16 
52.  f6 
8.64 
20.27 


The  great  excess  of  fat  and  nitrogenous  or  flesh-forming  principles 
in  the  sugar  meal  is  very  evident. 


Animal. 

Milk. 

Fat. 

Solids. 

Fat. 

Solids. 

Ratio  of  fat 

to  solids  not 

fat. 

Grade  Shorthorn  cow: 

Pounds. 

P.ct. 

Per  ct. 

Pounds. 

Pounds. 

First  period,  21  days,  corn  and  cob  meal- 
Second  period,  21  days,  sugar  meal 

Third  period,  21  days,  corn  and  cob  meal . 
Grade  Shorthorn  cow: 

631.25 
641.50 
559.00 

3.43 

4.04 
3.22 

11.57 
12.53 
11.86 

21.67 
25.93 
17.97 

73.02 
83.38 
66.32 

422.0:  1,000 
476.2:1,000 
371.7  :  1,000 

First  period,  21  days,  corn  and  cob  meal. 

604.75 

3.57 

n.95 

21.56 

72.28 

425.1  :I,000 

Second  period,  21  days,  sugar  meal 

Third  period,  21  days,  corn  and  cob  meal. 
Grade  Shorthorn  cow: 

582.00 
527.00 

3.91 
3.37 

12.37 

12.05 

22.74 

17.78 

72.57 
63.48 

456.3:1,000 
389.1:  1,000 

First  period.  21  days,  sugar  meal 

Second  period,  21  days,  corn  and  cob  meal 

753.50 
601.50 

3.97 
3.15 

12.43 

11.45 

29.94 
18.97 

93.67 
68.89 

469.8:  1,000 
380.0:  1,000 

Third  period,  21  days,  sugar  meal 

Grade  Holstein  cow: 

560.50 

3.85 

12.16 

21. 58 

68.16 

463.3:  1,000 

First  period,  21  days,  sugar  meal 

Secondperiod,  21  days, corn  and  cob  meal 
Third  period,  21  days,  sugar  meal 

487.50 
379.00 
374.50 

4.15 
3.51 
3.72 

13.27 
12.69 
13.01 

20.25 
13.30 
13.95 

64.69 
48.09 
48.74 

455.6:  1,000 
382.3:1,000 
401.0:  1,000 

Here  we  see  in  every  instance  a  marked  relative  increase  of  the  but- 
ter, and  to  a  less  extent  of  the  other  milk  solids  whenever  the  sugar 
meal — rich  in  fat  and  albuminoids — was  furnished.     The  opposite 


254  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

theory  having  been  largely  taught,  it  becomes  needful  to  thus  sustain 
the  old  and  well-founded  belief  of  the  dairymen. 

Not  only  does  the  richness  of  the  milk  vary  with  the  nature  of  the 
food,  but  it  varies  also  according  to  the  time  of  the  day  when  it  is 
drawn,  the  morning  milk  giving  1\  per  cent  of  cream  and  the  evening 
milk  9|  per  cent  (Hassall).  Boedecker  found  that  the  morning  milk 
had  10  per  cent  of  solids,  while  the  evening  milk  had  13  per  cent. 
Again,  the  milk  first  drawn  at  any  milking  is  always  poorer  than  the 
last  drawn.  The  first  may  have  only  one-half,  or  in  extreme  cases 
one-fourth,  the  cream  of  the  last.  Once  more,  when  the  cow  is  in  heat 
the  milk  becomes  richer  in  solids  (casein  and  butter),  and  contains 
granular  and  white  blood  cells  like  the  colostrum,  and  often  disagrees 
with  the  young  animal  living  on  it.  Now,  while  these  various  modifi- 
cations in  the  amount  of  solid  matters  may  prove  harmless  to  a  strong 
and  vigorous  calf,  they  can  easily  be  the  occasion  of  intestinal  dis- 
order in  a  weaker  one,  or  in  one  with  health  already  somewhat 
impaired  by  sickness,  exposure,  or  unwholesome  buildings.  The 
casein  of  the  cow's  milk  coagulates  in  one  solid  mass,  and  is  much  less 
easily  penetrated  by  the  digesting  fluids  than  the  fine  flaky  coagula  of 
woman's  or  mare's  milk.  An  excess  of  casein,  therefore,  thrown  on 
an  already  overtaxed  stomach  can  all  the  more  readily  induce  dis- 
order. So  with  butter  fat.  While  a  most  important  element  in  nutri- 
tion, it  may  be  p resent  in  the  stomach  in  such  amount  as  to  interfere 
with  the  action  of  the  gastric  juice  on  the  casein,  and  with  the  inter- 
ruption of  the  natural  stomach  digestion  the  fats  themselves  undergo 
decomposition  with  the  production  of  offensive  and  irritating  fatty 
acids. 

The  milk  of  the  very  young  cow  is  usually  more  watery  than  that  of 
the  mature  animal,  and  that  of  the  old  cow  has  a  greater  liability  to 
become  acid.  It  varies  much  with  the  breed,  the  Channel  Island  cattle 
being  notorious  for  the  relatively  large  amount  of  cream,  while  the 
Holsteins,  Ayrshires,  and  Shorthorns  are  remarkable  rather  for  the 
amount  of  casein.  The  milk  of  cows  fed  on  potatoes  and  grass  is  very 
poor  and  watery;  that  from  cows  fed  on  cabbage  or  Swedish  turnips 
has  a  disagreeable  taste  and  odor  (from  the  former  an  offensive  liquid 
has  been  distilled). 

Cows  fed  on  overkept,  fermented,  and  soured  rations  have  acid 
milk  which  readily  turns  and  coagulates.  Thus  old,  long-kept  brew- 
er's grains,  swill,  the  refuse  of  glucose  factories,  and  ensilage  which 
has  been  put  up  too  green,  all  act  in  this  way.  The  same  may  come 
from  disease  in  the  cow's  udder,  or  any  general  disease  of  the  cow  with 
attendant  fever,  and  in  all  such  cases  the  tendency  is  to  rapid  change 
and  unwholesomeness.  If  the  milk  is  drawn  and  fed  from  a  pail  there 
is  the  added  danger  of  all  sorts  of  poisonous  ferments  getting  into  it 
and  multiplying;  it  may  be  from  the  imperfect  cleansing  and  scalding 
of  the  pail ;  from  rinsing  the  pails  with  water  that  is  impure ;  from  the 


DISEASES    OF    YOUNG    CALVES.  255 

entrance  of  bacterial  ferments  floating  in  the  filthy  atmosphere  of 
the  stable,  or  from  the  entrance  of  the  volatile  chemical  products  of 
fermentation. 

In  addition  to  the  dangers  coming  through  the  milk,  the  calf  suffers 
in  its  digestive  powers  from  any  temporary  illness,  and  among  others 
from  the  excitement  attendant  on  the  cutting  of  teeth,  and  impaired 
digestion  means  fermentations  in  the  undigested  masses  and  the  exces- 
sive production  of  poisonous  ptomaines  and  toxins. 

Whatever  may  be  the  starting  or  predisposing  cause  of  this  malady, 
when  once  established  it  is  liable  to  perpetuate  itself  by  contagion  and 
to  prove  a  veritable  plague  in  a  herd  or  a  district. 

Symptoms. — The  symptoms  of  diarrhea  may  appear  so  promptly 
after  birth  as  to  lead  to  the  idea  that  the  cause  already  existed  in  the 
body  of  the  calf,  and  it  usually  shows  itself  before  the  end  of  the 
second  week.  It  may  be  preceded  by  constipation,  as  in  retained 
meconium,  or  by  fetid  eructations  and  colicky  pains,  as  in  acute  indi- 
gestion. The  tail  is  stained  by  the  liquid  dejections,  which  are  at  first 
simply  soft  and  mixed  with  mucus  with  a  sour  odor,  accompanied  by 
a  peculiar  and  characteristic  fetor  (suggesting  rotten  cheese),  which 
continually  grows  worse.  The  amount  of  water  and  mucus  steadily 
increases,  the  normal  predominance  of  fatty  matters  becoming  modi- 
fied by  the  presence  of  a  considerable  amount  of  undigested  casein, 
which  is  not  present  in  the  healthy  feces,  and  in  acute  cases  death 
may  result  in  one  or  two  days  from  the  combined  drain  on  the  system 
and  the  poisoning  by  the  absorbed  products  of  the  decomposition  in 
the  stomach  and  bowels.  When  the  case  is  prolonged  the  passages, 
at  first  five  or  six  per  day,  increase  to  fifteen  or  twenty,  and  pass  with 
more  and  more  straining,  so  that  they  are  projected  from  the  animal 
in  a  liquid  stream.  The  color  of  the  feces,  at  first  yellow,  becomes  a 
lighter  grayish  yellow  or  a  dirty  white  (hence  the  name  white  scour), 
and  the  fetor  becomes  intolerable. 

At  first  the  calf  retains  its  appetite,  but  as  the  severity  of  the  disease 
increases  the  animal  shows  less  and  less  disposition  to  suck,  and  has 
lost  all  vivacity,  lying  dull  and  listless,  and,  when  raised,  walking 
weakly  and  unsteadily.  Flesh  is  lost  rapidly,  the  hair  stands  erect, 
the  skin  gets  dry  and  scurfy,  the  nose  is  dry  and  hot,  or  this  condition 
alternates  with  a  moist  and  cool  one.  By  this  time  the  mouth  and 
skin,  as  well  as  the  breath  and  dung,  exhale  the  peculiar  penetrating, 
sour,  offensive  odor,  and  the  poor  calf  has  become  an  object  of  disgust 
to  all  that  approach  it.  At  first,  and  unless  inflammation  of  the 
stomach  and  bowels  supervene  (and  unless  the  affection  has  started  in 
indigestion  and  colic),  the  belly  is  not  bloated  or  painful  on  pressure, 
symptoms  of  acute  colicky  pains  are  absent,  and  the  bowels  do  not 
rumble,  neither  are  bubbles  of  gas  mingled  with  the  feces.  The  irritant 
products  of  the  intestinal  fermentations  may,  however,  irritate  and 
excoriate   the   skin  around  the  anus,  which  becomes  red,  raw,  and 


256  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

broken  out  in  sores  for  some  distance.  Similarly,  the  rectum,  exposed 
by  reason  of  the  relaxed  condition  of  the  anus,  or  temporarily  in 
straining  to  pass  the  liquid  dejection,  is  of  a  more  or  less  deep  red, 
and  it  may  be  ulcerated.  Fever,  with  rapid  pulse  and  increased 
breathing  and  temperature,  usually  comes  on  with  the  very  fetid  char- 
acter of  the  feces  and  is  more  pronounced  as  the  bowels  become 
inflamed-  the  abdomen  sore  to  the  touch  and  tucked  up,  and  the  feces 
more  water}T,  and  even  mixed  with  blood. 

Prevention. — The  prevention  of  these  cases  is  the  prevention  of  con- 
stipation and  indigestion,  with  all  their  varied  causes  as  above  enu- 
merated, the  selection  of  a  strong,  vigorous  stock,  and,  above  all,  the 
combating  of  contagion,  especially  in  the  separation  of  the  sick  from 
the  healthy,  and  in  the  thorough  purification  and  disinfection  of  the 
buildings.  The  cleansing  and  sweetening  of  all  drains,  the  removal 
of  dung  heaps,  and  the  washing  and  scraping  of  floors  and  walls,  fol- 
lowed by  a  liberal  application  of  chlorid  of  lime  (bleaching  powder), 
4  ounces  to  the  gallon,  are  indicated.  Great  care  must  be  exercised 
in  the  feeding  of  the  cow  to  have  sound  and  wholesome  food  and 
water,  so  apportioned  as  to  make  the  milk  neither  too  rich  nor  too 
poor,  and  to  her  health,  so  that  the  calf  may  be  saved  from  the  evil 
consequences  of  poisonous  principles  that  may  be  produced  in  the 
body  of  the  cow.  The  calves  should  be  carefully  kept  apart  from  all 
calving  cows  and  their  discharges.  Similarly,  each  calf  must  have 
special  attention  to  see  that  its  nurse  gives  milk  which  agrees  with  it, 
and  that  this  is  furnished  at  suitable  times.  If  allowed  to  suck,  it 
should  either  be  left  with  the  cow  or  it  may  be  fed  three  times  a  day. 
If  it  becomes  hungry  twice  a  day  it  is  more  likely  to  overload  and 
derange  the  stomach,  and  if  left  too  long  hungry  it  is  tempted  to  take 
in  unsuitable  and  unwholesome  food,  for  which  its  stomach  is  as  yet 
unprepared.  So,  if  fed  from  the  pail,  it  is  safer  to  do  so  three  times 
daily  than  twice.  The  utmost  cleanliness  of  feeding  dishes  should  be 
secured  and  the  feeder  must  be  ever  on  the  alert  to  prevent  the  strong 
and  hungry  from  drinking  the  milk  of  the  weaker  in  addition  to  their 
own.  In  case  the  cow  nurse  has  been  subjected  to  any  great  excite- 
ment by  reason  of  travel,  hunting,  or  carrying,  the  first  milk  she 
yields  thereafter  should  be  used  for  some  other  purpose  and  only  the 
second  allowed  to  the  calf.  Indeed,  one  and  all  of  the  conditions 
above  indicated  as  causes  should  be  judiciously  guarded  against. 

Treatment. — Treatment  will  vary  according  to  the  nature  and  stage 
of  the  disease.  When  the  disease  is  not  widespread,  but  isolated 
cases  only  occur,  it  may  be  assumed  to  be  a  simple  diarrhea  and  is 
easily  dealt  with.  The  first  object  is  to  remove  the  irritant  matter 
from  stomach  and  bowels,  and  for  this  1  or  2  ounces  of  castor  oil 
may  be  given,  according  to  the  size  of  the  calf.  Reduce  the  milk  by 
one-half  or  two- thirds.  If  the  stools  smell  particularly  sour,  it  may 
be  replaced  by  1  ounce  calcined  magnesia,  and  in  any  case  a  table- 


DISEASES    OF    YOUNG    CALVES.  257 

spoonful  or  two  of  limewater  must  be  given  with  each  meal.  Great 
harm  is  often  done  by  giving  opium  and  astringents  at  the  outset. 
These  merely  serve  to  bind  up  the  bowels  and  retain  the  irritant 
source  of  the  trouble;  literally,  "to  shut  up  the  wolf  in  the  sheep- 
fold."  When  the  offending  agents  have  been  expelled  in  this  way, 
carminatives  and  demulcent  agents  may  be  given — 1  dram  anise  water, 
1  dram  nitrate  of  bismuth,  and  1  dram  gum  arabic,  three  times  a  day. 
Under  such  a  course  the  consistency  of  the  stools  should  increase 
until  in  a  day  or  two  they  become  natural. 

If,  however,  the  outbreak  is  more  general  and  evidently  the  result 
of  contagion,  the  first  consideration  is  to  remove  all  sources  of  such 
contamination.  Test  the  milk  of  the  cow  with  blue  litmus  paper,  and, 
if  it  reddens,  reject  the  milk  of  that  cow  until  by  sound,  dry  feeding, 
with  perhaps  a  course  of  hyposulphite  of  soda  and  gentian  root,  her 
milk  shall  have  been  made  alkaline.  The  castor  oil  or  magnesia  will 
still  be  demanded  to  clear  away  the  (now  infecting)  irritants,  but  they 
should  be  combined  with  antiseptics,  and,  while  the  limewater  and  the 
carminative  mixture  may  still  be  used,  a  most  valuable  addition  will  be 
found  in  the  following :  Calomel,  10  grains;  prepared  chalk,  1  ounce; 
creosote,  1  teaspoonful;  mix,  divide  into  ten  parts,  and  give  one  four 
times  a  day.  Or  the  following  may  be  given  four  times  a  day:  One 
dram  Dover's  powder,  6  grains  powdered  ipecacuanha;  mix,  divide 
into  ten  equal  parts.  Injections  of  solutions  of  gum  arabic  are  often 
useful,  and  if  the  anus  is  red  and  excoriated,  one-half  dram  of  copperas 
may  be  added  to  each  pint  of  the  gummy  solution.  All  the  milk  given 
must  be  boiled,  and  if  that  does  not  agree,  eggs  made  into  an  emulsion 
with  barley  water  may  be  substituted.  Small  doses  (tablespoonful) 
of  port  wine  are  often  useful  from  the  first,  and  as  the  feces  lose 
their  watery  character  and  become  more  consistent,  tincture  of  gen- 
tian in  doses  of  2  teaspoonfuis  may  be  given  three  or  four  times  a 
day.  Counterirritarts,  such  as  mustard,  ammonia,  or  oil  of  turpen- 
tine, may  be  rubbed  on  the  abdomen  when  that  becomes  tender  to 
the  touch. 

ACUTE   CONTAGIOUS  SCOURING  IN  THE  NEWBORN. 

The  most  violent  and  deadly  form  of  diarrhea  in  the  newborn  calf 
deserves  a  special  mention.  This  may  appear  immediately  after  birth, 
and  shows  itself  almost  invariably  within  the  first  or  second  day.  The 
most  intense  symptoms  of  white  scour  are  complicated  by  great  dull- 
ness, weakness,  and  prostration,  sunken  eyes,  retracted  belly,  short, 
hurried  breathing,  and  very  low  temperature,  the  calf  lying  on  its 
side,  with  the  head  resting  on  the  ground,  lethargic  and  unconscious 
or  regardless  of  all  around  it.  The  bowel  discharges  are  profuse, 
yellowish  white,  and  very  offensive.  As  a  rule,  death  ensues  within 
twenty-four  to  thirty-six  hours. 

61386—08 17 


258  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

A  marked  characteristic  of  this  form  of  illness  is  that  it  attacks 
almost  every  calf  born  in  the  herd,  or  in  the  building,  rather,  and  if 
the  calf  escapes  an  attack  in  the  first  two  or  three  days  of  its  life  it 
usually  survives.  Those  that  recover  from  an  attack,  however,  are 
liable  to  suffer  from  an  infective  inflammation  of  the  lungs  one  or  two 
weeks  later.  The  infection  clings  to  a  stable  for  years,  rendering  it 
impossible  in  many  cases  to  preserve  and  raise  the  calves.  It  has 
frequently  coincided  with  abortions  and  failures  to  conceive  in  the 
same  herd,  so  that  it  has  been  thought  that  the  same  infective  germ 
produces  one  type  of  abortion.  On  the  other  hand,  the  removal  of 
the  calving  cow  from  the  herd  to  calve  in  a  separate  building,  hitherto 
unused  and  therefore  uninfected,  usually  secures  the  escape  and  sur- 
vival of  the  offspring. 

The  disease  has  been  traced  by  Nocard  and  Lignieres  to  a  small 
bacillus  having  the  general  characters  of  those  which  produce  hemor- 
rhagic septicemia,  which  is  usually  combined  with  a  variety  of  others, 
but  is  in  some  cases  alone  and  in  pure  culture,  especially  in  the 
joints.  The  theory  of  Lignieres  is  that  this  bacillus  is  the  primary 
offender,  and  that  once  introduced  it  so  depresses  the  vital  powers  of 
the  system  and  tissue  cells  that  the  healthy  resistance  to  other  bac- 
teria is  impaired  or  suspended,  and  hence  the  general  and  deadly 
invasion  of  the  latter. 

Inoculations  with  this  bacillus  killed  guinea  pigs  or  rabbits  in  six 
to  eighteen  hours,  and  calves  in  thirty  hours,  with  symptoms  and 
lesions  of  hemorrhagic  septicemia,  including  profuse  fetid  diarrhea. 

The  predominance  of  the  early  and  deadly  lesions  in  the  alimen- 
tary tract  would  seem  to  imply  infection  through  the  food,  and  the 
promptitude  of  the  attack  after  birth,  together  with  the  frequent  coin- 
cidence of  contagious  abortion  in  the  herd,  suggest  the  presence  of 
the  germ  in  the  cow;  yet  the  escape  of  the  calf  when  the  cow  calves 
in  a  fresh  building  is  equally  suggestive  of  the  infection  through 
germs  laid  up  in  the  building.  This  conclusion  is  further  sustained 
by  the  observation  that  the  bacillus  evidently  enters  by  the  raw, 
unhealed  navel,  that  it  is  diffused  in  the  blood,  and  that  a  very  care- 
ful preservation  of  the  navel  against  infection  gives  immunity  from 
attack. 

Prevention. — The  disease  is  so  certainly  and  speedily  fatal  that  it  is 
hopeless  to  expect  recovery,  and  therefore  prevention  is  the  rational 
resort. 

When  a  herd  is  small,  the  removal  of  the  dam  to  a  clean,  unused 
stable  a  few  days  before  calving  and  her  retention  there  for  a  week 
usually  succeeds.  But  it  is  in  the  large  herd  that  the  disease  is  mainly 
to  be  dreaded,  and  in  this  it  is  impossible  to  furnish  new  and  pure 
stables  for  each  successive  group  of  two  or  three  calving  cows.  The 
thorough  disinfection  of  the  general  stable  ought  to  succeed ;  yet  I 


DISEASES   OF   YOUNG    CALVES.  259 

have  seen  the  cleanest  and  purest  stable  repeatedly  disinfected  with 
corrosive  sublimate  without  stopping  the  malady.  It  would  appear 
as  if  the  germ  lodged  on  the  surface  or  in  the  bowels  of  the  cow  and 
tided  the  infection  over  the  period  of  stable  disinfection.  But  though 
insufficient  of  themselves,  the  supply  of  separate  calving  boxes  and 
the  frequent  thorough  cleaning  and  disinfection  of  both  these  and  the 
stables  should  not  be  neglected.  The  most  important  measure,  how- 
ever, is  the  disinfection  of  the  navel. 

The  cow  should  be  furnished  with  abundance  of  dry,  clean  bedding, 
sprinkled  with  a  solution  of  carbolic  acid.  As  soon  as  calving  sets  in, 
the  tail  and  hips,  anus  and  vulva,  should  be  sponged  with  a  carbolic- 
acid  solution  (one-half  ounce  to  the  quart),  and  the  vagina  injected 
with  a  weaker  solution  (2  drams  to  the  quart).  Fresh  carbolized  bed- 
ding should  be  constantly  supplied,  so  that  the  calf  shall  be  dropped  on 
that  and  not  on  soaked  litter  nor  manure.  The  navel  string  should 
be  at  once  tied  with  a  cord  that  has  been  taken  from  a  strong  solution 
of  carbolic  acid.  The  stump  of  the  cord  and  the  adjacent  skin  should 
then  be  washed  with  the  following  solution:  Iodin,  one-half  dram; 
iodid  of  potassium,  one-half  dram;  water,  1  quart.  When  dry,  it 
may  be  covered  with  a  coating  of  collodion  or  tar,  each  containing  1 
per  cent  of  iodin. 

Whenever  a  calf  shows  any  sign  of  scouring,  it  should  be  instantly 
removed  to  another  pen  and  building,  and  the  vacated  one  should  be 
thoroughly  cleaned  and  disinfected.  Different  attendants  should 
take  care  of  the  sound  calves  and  the  infected  ones,  and  all  utensils, 
litter,  etc.,  kept  scrupulously  apart. 

After  one  week  the  healthy  calves  may  usually  be  safely  herded 
together  or  they  may  be  safely  placed  in  the  cow  stable. 

OTHER   AILMENTS   OP  THE   CALF. 

Among  these  may  be  named  several  congenital  imperfections,  such  as 
imperforate  anus,  vulva,  or  prepuce,  which  are  to  be  recognized  by  the 
inability  to  pass  dung  or  urine,  in  spite  of  straining,  and  the  formation 
of  swellings  in  the  anus,  vulva,  or  sheath.  Each  must  be  carefully 
incised  with  the  knife,  taking  care  not  to  injure  the  muscles  which  cir- 
cumscribe the  respective  openings.  Also  tongue-tie,  in  which  the  thin 
flaccid  mucous  membrane  passing  from  the  median  line  of  the  lower 
surface  of  the  tongue  binds  the  latter  too  closely  to  the  floor  of  the 
mouth  and  renders  the  tongue  unfit  for  gathering  in  the  food  in  after 
life.  This  must  be  cut  with  knife  or  scissors,  so  as  to  give  the  tongue  a 
reasonable  amount  of  liberty. 

Aphtha,  or  thrush,  is  another  trouble  of  the  sucking  calf,  showing 
itself  as  a  white,  curdy  elevation  on  the  tongue,  lips,  cheeks,  or  gums, 
and  when  detached  leaving  a  raw,  red,  angry  surface.  It  is  due  to  the 
growth  of  a  vegetable  parasite  long  recognized  as  the  Oidium  albicans 


260  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

(Saccharomyces  albicans).  It  is  easily  removed  by  rubbing  with 
powdered  borax,  but  inasmuch  as  other  colonies  are  likely  to  start 
either  in  the  mouth  or  lower  down  in  the  phaiynx,  gullet,  or  stomach, 
it  is  well  to  give  a  dose  of  one-half  dram  of  hyposulphite  of  soda  in 
water  day  by  day  for  several  days. 

Rickets  is  not  a  common  disease  in  calves,  and  comes  on,  if  at  all, 
later  than  those  we  have  been  considering.  It  consists  in  softening 
and  friability  of  the  bones  from  a  deficiency  of  lime  salts,  and  appears 
to  be  mainly  connected  with  an  inherited  weakness  of  constitution, 
unsuitable  feeding,  cold,  close,  damp  buildings,  microbian  infection, 
and  other  conditions  inimical  to  health.  The  prevention  and  treat- 
ment of  rickets  consists  essentially  in  the  improvement  of  the  diges- 
tion and  general  health;  hence  sunshine,  open  air,  exercise,  nourish- 
ing food,  and  tonics  are  indicated. 


BONES:   DISEASES  AND  ACCIDENTS. 

By  V.  T.  Atkinson,  V.  S. 

[Revised  in  1904  by  John  R.  Mohler,  V.  M.  D.] 

Some  knowledge  of  the  skeleton  is  advisable  to  facilitate  the  study 
of  diseases  of  bones  and  the  accidental  injuries  to  which  they  are 
exposed.  The  skeleton  of  the  adult  ox  is  made  up  of  the  following 
number  of  bones : 

Spinal  column 45 

Head 28 

Chest 27 

Shoulder  . 2 —  1  on  each  side. 

Arm 2 —  1  on  each  side. 

Fore  arm 4 —  2  on  each  side. 

Fore  foot- 40 — 20  on  each  side. 

Pelvis 2 —  1  on  each  side. 

Thigh 2 —  1  on  each  side. 

Leg 6 —  3  on  each  side. 

Hind  foot 38 — 19  on  each  side. 

Total 196 

Without  attempting  to  burden  the  reader  with  the  technical  names 
and  a  scientific  classification  of  each,  it  appears  desirable  to  describe 
some  of  the  characteristics  of  forms  in  general,  and  of  a  few  classes 
into  which  they  maybe  divided,  leaving  the  special  study  of  individual 
bones  to  the  illustrations  of  the  skeleton  (PI.  XXV),  which  will  serve 
better  than  any  amount  of  writing  to  fix  in  the  mind  of  the  reader  the 
location,  relation,  and  function  of  each  one.  In  early  fetal  life  the 
place  of  bone  is  supplied  by  temporary  cartilage,  which  gradually 
changes  to  bone.  For  convenience  of  study,  bones  may  be  said  to  be 
composed  of  a  dense  form  of  connective  tissue  impregnated  with  lime 
salts  and  contain  two  elementary  constituents — the  organic,  or  animal, 
and  the  inorganic,  or  earthy.  In  young  animals  the  former  predomi- 
nates; with  increasing  years  the  relative  proportions  of  the  two  change, 
so  that  when  advanced  age  is  reached  the  proportion  of  inorganic  far 
exceeds  the  organic.  The  gradual  change  with  advancing  years  from 
organic  to  inorganic  has  the  effect  of  rendering  the  bone  harder  and 
more  brittle,  and  though  it  is  stronger  the  reparative  process  is  slower 
when  injury  does  occur. 

The  bones  are  nourished  in  two  ways:  First,  from  the  outside  through 
their  covering,  called  the  periosteum — the  thin,  strong  membrane  that 

261 


262  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE 

covers  every  part  of  the  bone  except  the  articular  surface  of  the 
joints — and,  second,  from  within  through  the  minute  branches  of 
blood  vessels  which  pass  into  the  bones  through  holes  (foramen)  on 
their  surface  and  are  distributed  in  the  soft  structure  (medulla)  of 
the  inside.  The  structure  of  the  bone  is  divided  into  two  parts — the 
compact  or  hard  material  of  the  outside,  which  gives  strength  and  is 
more  abundant  in  the  shafts  of  long  bones,  and  the  cancellated  softer 
tissue  of  the  inside,  which  affords  accommodation  to  the  blood  vessels 
necessary  for  the  nourishment  of  that  part  of  the  structure. 

In  shape  bones  are  divided  into  three  classes — long,  flat,  and  short. 
The  long  bones  are  the  ribs  and  those  mostly  found  in  the  limbs;  the 
flat  bones  are  found  in  the  head,  the  shoulder,  and  the  pelvis;  and  the 
short  bones  in  the  spinal  column  and  in  the  lower  portions  of  the 
limbs. 

With  this  little  introduction,  which  seems  almost  indispensable,  we 
will  proceed  at  once  to  the  consideration  of  diseases  of  bones,  for  they 
undergo  diseased  processes  like  any  other  living  tissue. 

OSTEITIS. 

Inflammation  of  the  compact  structure  of  bones  (osteitis)  may  be 
either  acute  or  chronic,  and  may  involve  the  whole  extent  of  the  bone 
affected  or  may  be  confined  to  only  a  portion  of  it.  This  inflamma- 
tion results  from  injury,  such  as  concussion,  laceration,  or  a  crushing 
bruise;  also  from  specific  influences,  as  in  actinomycosis  or  cases  of 
foul  foot.  The  latter  affection  frequently  involves  the  bones,  and  for 
this  reason  the  pastern  is  the  most  frequent  seat  of  osteitis.  There 
is  dull  pain  on  pressure  and  a  painful  swelling  of  bone  when  pus  is 
present.  Suppuration  may  involve  the  overlying  soft  tissues,  causing 
an  abscess,  which  may  finally  break  through  the  skin.  The  inflam- 
matory condition  sometimes  assumes  an  ulcerated  form  (caries)  or 
from  interrupted  nutrition  of  the  part  deprived  of  the  blood  neces- 
sary to  its  nourishment  may  cause  death  of  a  large  section  of  bone 
(necrosis),  and  this  dead  fragment  (sequestrum),  becoming  separated 
from  the  main  portion  of  bone,  acts  as  a  foreign  body. 

Treatment — This  consists  in  resting  the  affected  part  and  in  giving 
vent  at  the  earliest  possible  moment  to  whatever  pus  may  be  present. 
Free  drainage  should  then  be  maintained.  Apply  dressings  of  lactic 
acid  or  inject  with  5  per  cent  zinc  chloride  solution  and  pack  with 
tampons  of  cotton  soaked  in  antiseptic  solutions.  A  laxative  to  keep 
the  bowels  moving  freely  is  the  only  internal  treatment  necessary. 

PERIOSTITIS. 

This  disease  is  an  inflammation  of  the  external  covering  of  bone 
(periosteum)  and  is  usually  produced  by  wounds,  pressure,  or  crush- 
ing of  the  part.     The  periosteum  is  well  supplied  with  sensitive  nerve 


bones:  diseases  and  accidents.  263 

endings  and  when  inflamed  is  very  sensitive  to  pressure  and  may- 
cause  lameness.  This  condition  is  often  difficult  to  determine,  and 
even  an  acute  observer  may  fail  to  locate  the  point  of  its  existence. 
There  are  three  forms  of  periostitis — aseptic,  purulent,  and  fibrous. 

ASEPTIC   PERIOSTITIS. 

Aseptic  periostitis  when  it  becomes  chronic  causes  such  a  bony 
enlargement  (exostosis)  as  is  seen  in  the  callous  formation  following 
the  fracture  of  a  bone.  The  formation  of  such  a  tumor  or  enlarge- 
ment on  the  surface  of  a  bone  is  liable  to  occur  in  any  part  of  the 
bone  covered  with  periosteum,  and  when  found  in  the  neighborhood 
of  a  joint  involving  two  or  more  bones  it  is  likely  to  result  in  their 
union  (anchylosis). 

Treatment. — Applications  of  cold  water  to  check  the  inflammatory 
processes  is  indicated  for  the  first  few  days  in  aseptic  periostitis,  fol- 
lowed by  hot  fomentations  to  hurry  resorption  of  fluids.  Massage 
should  then  be  given  with  camphor  ointment,  mercurial  ointment, 
soap  liniment,  or  Lugol's  solution.  In  the  chronic  form  point  firing 
or  a  biniodide  of  mercury  blister  will  be  found  beneficial. 

PURULENT   PERIOSTITIS. 

Purulent  periostitis  follows  wounds  which  reach  the  periosteum 
and  become  infected,  as  observed  in  compound  fractures,  or  it  may 
result  from  advancing  purulent  conditions  in  neighboring  structures, 
as  in  foul  foot.  It  may  also  occur  in  the  course  of  an  infectious  dis- 
ease, when  small  abscesses  are  formed  under  the  periosteum  (subperi- 
osteal abscess).  It  may  lead  to  necrosis  of  the  bone  or  a  fistulous 
track  from  the  bone  to  the  surface.  There  is  usually  much  pain  and 
fever  present,  and  the  odor  from  the  wound  is  offensive. 

Treatment. — In  this  form  of  periostitis  the  periosteum  should  be 
freely  incised,  followed  either  by  continuous  irrigation  or  frequent 
injection  of  the  wound  with  antiseptic  solutions. 

FIBROUS   PERIOSTITIS. 

This  form  of  the  disease  consists  in  the  thickening  of  the  outer 
layer  of  the  periosteum  from  the  inflammation  reaching  it  from  neigh- 
boring structures.  This  newly  formed  fibrous  tissue  may  become 
ossified  or  may  transmit  the  inflammation  to  the  deeper  bony  struc- 
tures. It  is  frequently  seen  in  cases  where  there  has  been  an  intense 
inflammation  of  the  skin  close  to  an  underlying  bone. 

Treatment. — The  treatment  should  follow  that  recommended  for 
aseptic  periostitis. 

OSTEOMYELITIS. 

This  term  refers  to  an  inflammation  of  the  bone  marrow,  which  is 
most  commonly  seen  following  the  bacterial  infection  of  a  compound 
fracture  and  usually  results  in  pus  formation.     The  bone  is  melted 


264  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

away,  and  pus  escapes  from  the  bone  under  the  periosteum,  involving 
the  soft  tissues.  It  is  principally  confined  to  the  long  bones  and  sel- 
dom affects  more  than  one. 

Treatment. — The  bone  should  be  opened  for  the  purpose  of  curret- 
ting  out  the  diseased  portion  of  the  marrow  cavity  and  removing  all 
the  necrotic  pieces  of  bone.  This  should  be  undertaken  only  by  a 
competent  veterinarian.  The  after  treatment  consists  in  tamponing 
the  wound  with  pledgets  of  iodoform  gauze  or  injecting  a  2  per  cent 
solution  of  sulphuric  acid  or  hydrochloric  acid  of  similar  strength  or 
pure  lactic  acid  or  a  mixture  of  iodoform  1  part  and  glycerine  4  parts. 
The  wound  in  the  soft  tisssue  should  be  kept  open  until  the  cavity  in 
the  bone  has  filled  with  granulation  tissue. 

RICKETS. 

This  disease,  also  called  "rachitis,"  is  an  inflammatory  affection  of 
young,  growing  bones,  and  involves  the  ribs  and  long  bones  of  the 
legs  mostly.  It  consists  in  a  failure  of  the  organism  to  deposit  lime 
salts  in  bone,  and  for  this  reason  the  bones  do  not  ossify  as  rapidly  as 
they  should.  The  cartilaginous  ends  of  the  bones  grow  rapidly,  but 
ossification  does  not  keep  pace  with  it.  The  bones  become  long  and 
their  ends  bend  at  the  joints,  the  legs  become  crooked,  and  the  joints 
are  large  and  irregular.  All  the  bones  affected  with  this  disease  are 
thicker  than  normal,  and  the  gait  of  the  animal  is  stiff  and  painful. 
A  row  of  bony  enlargements  may  be  found  where  the  ribs  articulate 
with  the  cartilages  connecting  them  with  the  breastbone  and  is  called 
the  "beaded  line."  A  catarrhal  condition  of  the  digestive  tract  is 
usually  observed.  The  disease  may  result  from  an  inherited  weak- 
ness of  constitution,  poor  hygienic  surroundings,  or  improper  diet. 
Calves  and  foals  are  less  frequently  affected  with  rickets  than  dogs 
and  pigs. 

Treatment. — The  affected  animal  should  be  given  nourishing  food 
containing  a  proper  amount  of  lime  salts.  Outdoor  exercise  and 
plenty  of  fresh  air  are  indispensable.  Limewater  should  be  given 
once  daily  for  drinking  purposes  and  ground  bone  meal  mixed  with 
the  food.  Phosphorus,  one-fortieth  of  a  grain,  and  calcium  phos- 
phate, 1  dram,  given  twice  daily  to  a  2-months-old  calf,  and  propor- 
tionally increased  for  older  animals,  has  proved  efficacious  in  this 
disease.  In  some  cases  the  long  bones  of  the  limbs  are  too  weak  at 
birth  to  support  the  weight  of  the  animal  and  temporary  splints, 
carefully  padded  and  wrapped  on  with  some  soft  bandages,  become 
necessary. 

OSTEOMALACIA  (CREEPS). 

This  is  a  condition  of  bone  brittleness  or  softening  of  bone  found 
usually  in  adult  life.  It  consists  of  the  decalcification  of  mature 
bone,  with  the  advancing  diminution  of  the  compact  portion  of  bone 


bones:  diseases  and  accidents.  265 

by  absorption.  The  periosteum  strips  very  easily  from  the  bone' 
This  disease  is  seen  in  milch  cows  during  the  period  of  heavy  lacta- 
tion or  in  the  later  stages  of  pregnancy,  and  the  greater  the  yield  of 
milk  the  more  rapid  the  progress  of  the  disease.  Heifers  with  their 
first  calf  are  frequentl}7  affected,  as  these  animals  require  a  consider- 
able quantity  of  animal  salts  for  their  own  growth  and  for  the  nourish- 
ment of  their  calves. 

Symptoms. — In  marked  cases  there  is  a  gradual  emaciation  and 
symptoms  of  gastro-intestinal  catarrh,  with  depraved  appetite,  the 
animal  eating  manure,  decayed  wood,  dirt,  leather,  etc.  Muscular 
weakness  is  prominent,  together  with  muscle  tremors,  which  simulate 
chills,  but  are  not  accompanied  by  any  rise  of  temperature.  The 
animal  has  a  stiff,  laborious  gait,  there  is  pain  and  swelling  of  the 
joints,  and  constant  shifting  of  the  weight  from  one  leg  to  another. 
The  restricted  movements  of  the  joints  are  frequently  accompanied 
by  a  crackling  sound,  which  has  caused  the  name  of  "creeps"  to  be 
applied  to  the  disease.  The  coat  is  dull  and  rough  and  the  skin  dry 
and  hidebound.  The  animal  is  subject  to  frequent  sprains  or  fracture 
of  bones  without  apparent  cause,  as  in  lying  down  or  turning  around, 
and  when  such  fractures  occur  they  are  difficult  to  unite.  The  bones 
principally  involved  are  the  upper  bones  of  the  legs,  the  haunch  bone, 
and  the  middle  bones  of  the  spinal  column.  The  disease  in  this 
country  is  confined  to  localized  areas  in  the  Southwest,  known  as  the 
"alkali  districts,"  and  in  the  old  dairy  sections  of  New  York.  The 
cause  of  this  affection  is  the  insufficiency  or  total  absence  of  lime  salts 
in  the  food,  also  to  feeding  hay  of  low,  damp  pastures,  kitchen  slops, 
and  potatoes,  or  to  overstocking  lancHS.  It  occurs  on  old,  worn-out  soil 
devoid  of  lime  salts,  and  has  also  been  observed  to  follow  a  dry  season. 

Treatment. — This  should  consist  in  a  change  of  food  and  the  artifi- 
cial feeding  of  lime  salts,  such  as  magnesium  and  sodium  phosphate. 
Foods  containing  mineral  salts  may  be  given,  such  as  beans,  cowpeas, 
oats,  cotton-seed  meal,  or  wheat  bran.  Cotton-seed  meal  is  one  of  the 
best  foods  for  this  purpose,  but  it  should  be  fed  carefully,  as  too  large 
quantities  are  injurious  to- cows.  Phosphorus  may  also  be  given  in 
one-fourth  grain  doses  twice  daily,  together  with  a  tablespoonful  of 
powdered  bone  meal  or  crude  calcium  phosphate  at  each  meal.  Ordi- 
nary lime  dissolved  in  drinking  water  (limewater)  will  also  be  found 
efficacious  in  cambating  this  disease,  and  can  be  provided  at  slight 
expense.  A  change  of  pasture  to  a  locality  where  the  disease  is 
unknown  and  a  free  supply  of  common  salt  and  bone  meal  will  be  the 
most  convenient  method  of  treating  range  cattle. 

sprains. 

The  most  common  accident  occurring  to  bones  and  joints  is  a  sprain 
of  the  ligaments  uniting  the  bones,  or  the  tendons  uniting  the  muscles 
and  bones.     A  sprain  is  the  result  of  a  sudden  forcing  of  a  joint  in  an 


266  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

unnatural  direction ;  or,  if  in  a  natural  direction,  beyond  the  power  of 
the  ligament  or  tendon  to  restrain  it  properly,  so  that  part  of  the  fibers 
of  either  are  ruptured.  When  such  an  accident  occurs  pain  is  imme- 
diately inflicted,  varying  in  degree  with  the  extent  of  the  injury,  which 
is  soon  followed  by  swelling,  with  more  or  less  heat  and  tenderness. 
If  the  seat  of  the  injury  be  in  any  of  the  limbs,  lameness  is  likely  to 
result.  Of  the  causes  of  sprain,  slipping  on  ice  or  a  wet  floor,  play- 
ing, or  fighting  with  another  animal  are  the  most  common. 

SPRAIN   OF  THE  SHOULDER  JOINT. 

This  is  likely  to  occur  from  any  of  the  causes  mentioned  above  or 
from  the  animal  slipping  suddenly  into  a  rut  or  hole.  When  such  an 
accident  occurs,  sudden  lameness  will  attract  attention.  The  animal 
will  be  noticed  to  drag  the  leg  when  walking  and  to  carry  it  in  a  cir- 
cular direction,  outward  and  forward,  at  each  step.  The  leg  should 
be  carefully  examined,  pressure  over  the  joint  causing  the  animal  to 
evince  pain.  If  the  person  making  the  examination  is  in  doubt,  it  is 
well  to  make  a  comparison  between  the  shoulders  by  pressing  first  on 
one  and  then  the  other.  After  such  an  accident  the  animal  should  be 
tied  up  so  as  to  limit  so  far  as  possible  the  use  of  the  injured  joint. 
Soft  food  should  be  given  with  a  view  to  keeping  the  bowels  acting 
freely. 

Treatment. — During  the  first  three  days  the  treatment  should  con- 
sist of  cold-water  irrigation  to  check  the  inflammation  and  relieve  the 
pain.  Hot  fomentations  may  then  be  applied  to  hasten  the  absorption 
of  the  inflammatory  fluids.  When  the  pain  has  somewhat  abated, 
equal  parts  of  mercurial  ointment  and  green  soap  may  be  rubbed  into 
the  swollen  tissue.  Should  lameness  continue  after  the  tenth  day, 
good  results  will  be  obtained  from  the  application  of  a  blister.  This 
may  be  done  by  carefully  clipping  the  hair  off  over  the  joint,  includ- 
ing a  surface  of  4  or  5  inches  in  circumference,  and  rubbing  in  the 
following  preparation : 

Powdered  cantharides dram, .       1 

Biniodide  of  mercury do 1 

Vaseline ounce. .       1 

The  animal's  head  should  be  carefully  tied  until  the  third  day  to 
prevent  its  licking  the  blister.  The  blistered  surface  should  then  be 
smeared  with  lard  or  vaseline  every  other  day  until  the  scabs  fall  off. 
Gentle  exercise  should  be  allowed  after  the  fourth  or  fifth  day  from 
the  application  of  the  blister.  If  the  lameness  still  remains  the  blister 
may  be  repeated  in  three  weeks  or  a  month. 

SPRAIN   OF  THE   FETLOCK. 

This  may  occur  from  misstep  when  the  animal  is  moving  rapidly, 
and  the  twisting  or  wrenching  of  the  foot  is  sufficient  to  rupture  par- 
tially the  ligaments  which  bind  the  bones  together  at  that  part.  Such 
an  accident  also  frequently  occurs  by  the  foot  becoming  fastened  in 


bones:  diseases  and  accidents.  267 

a  hole  in  the  floor,  and  the  wrenching  is  the  result  of  the  animal's 
attempt  to  liberate  it.  Lameness,  followed  by  swelling  of  the  joint 
and  pain  when  it  is  handled,  or  when  the  animal  moves  the  joint,  and 
heat,  are  the  more  noticeable  symptoms.  If  the  sprain  be  very  severe 
the  animal  occasionally  does  not  bear  its  weight  on  the  limb. 

Treatment — The  most  important  consideration  in  the  treatment  of 
this  affection  is  rest,  which  is  best  enforced  by  keeping  the  animal  in 
the  stall  and  placing  strong  muslin  bandages  about  the  inflamed  joint. 
As  in  the  sprain  of  the  shoulder,  cold  water  in  the  form  of  douches, 
continuous  irrigation  with  hose  or  soaking  tub,  or  finely  chopped  ice 
poultices  is  indicated  for  the  first  three  days.  Following  this  apply  a 
Priessnitz  bandage  a  moderately  tight  about  the  joint,  which  not  only 
conduces  to  rest,  but  also  favors  absorption.  Massage  with  stimulat- 
ing liniments,  such  as  soap  or  camphor  liniment,  may  later  be  applied 
to  the  affected  parts. 

If  the  lameness  has  not  disappeared  by  the  tenth  day,  the  blister 
advised  for  the  sprain  of  the  shoulder  should  be  applied,  and  the 
same  precautions  observed  as  to  tying  the  animal's  head  and  subse- 
quent smearing  with  vaseline.  When  a  blister  is  applied  in  this 
locality,  the  back  part  of  the  heel  should  be  first  filled  with  lard  or 
vaseline,  and  care  taken  to  prevent  any  of  the  blistering  preparation 
from  coming  in  contact  with  the  skin  of  that  part.  If  this  precaution 
is  not  observed,  scratches  may  ensue  and  prove  troublesome. 

SPRAIN   OF  THE  HIP. 

This  is  likely  to  result  from  the  animal  slipping  in  such  a  way  as  to 
spread  the  hind  feet  wide  apart.  The  patient  goes  stiff  with  the  hind 
legs,  or  lame  with  one  hind  leg,  walking  with  a  straddling  gait  and 
swinging  the  leg  outward  as  it  is  carried  forward.  Tenderness  may 
occasionally  be  detected  on  pressure,  but  owing  to  the  heavy  covering 
of  muscles  outside  of  the  joint  this  test  is  not  always  reliable. 

In  the  acute  cases,  give  rest  and  cold  local  applications.  After  the 
fourth  or  fifth  day  the  blister  mentioned  for  sprain  of  the  shoulder 
may  be  applied  with  advantage,  and  if  this  proves  insufficient,  we 
may  fire  in  points  over  the  joint  as  a  last  resort. 

SPRAIN   OF  THE  BACK. 

Sprain  of  the  back,  particularly  in  the  region  of  the  loins,  is  not  an 
uncommon  accident  among  cattle.     It  is  likely  to  occur  from  the  ani- 

« A  Preissnitz  bandage  is  a  dressing  which  combines  the  three  properties  of 
keeping  a  part  warm,  moist,  and  subjecting  it  to  uniform  pressure.  It  consists  of 
three  layers  of  material.  The  inner  layer  is  composed  of  absorbent  cotton  or  some 
other  material  which  is  capable  of  holding  moisture.  This  is  soaked  in  water  and 
wrapped  around  the  part.  The  second  layer  consists  of  a  substance  which  is 
impervious  to  moisture,  as  oiled  silk  or  oiled  paper,  and  is  applied  about  the  inner 
layer  to  prevent  evaporation.  The  third  or  outside  layer  is  composed  of  a  flannel 
or  woolen  bandage  to  prevent  the  radiation  of  heat  and  thus  keep  the  moist  inner 
layer  at  the  temperature  of  the  body. 


268  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

niaj  slipping  with  botli  hind  feet  sideways  so  as  to  twist  the  back,  or 
the  feet  slipping  violently  backward  so  that  great  stress  is  thrown  on 
the  loins.  The  patient  moves  with  difficulty,  using  the  hind  parts  in 
a  guarded  manner  as  if  afraid  of  causing  severe  pain.  Occasionally, 
if  the  sprain  is  severe,  the  animal  will  rise  with  difficulty.  Pressure 
on  the  back  in  the  immediate  region  of  the  loins  causes  pain.  Such 
cases  may  be  mistaken  for  paralysis,  and,  in  fact,  in  severe  cases, 
although  the  nerve  supply  is  not  interfered  with,  the  injury  to  the 
muscles  and  resulting  pain  is  so  great  that  the  condition  is  almost 
equal  to  paralysis  during  the  early  stages  of  the  injury,  although 
likely  to  be  attended  with  more  favorable  results.  Hot  applications, 
such  as  blankets  wrung  out  of  hot  water  and  changed  at  short  inter- 
vals, will  be  likely  to  afford  relief  during  the  earlier  stages.  After- 
wards the  blister  mentioned  for  sprain  of  the  shoulder  may  be  applied 
with  advantage. 

FRACTURES  (BROKEN  BONES) 

Bones  may  be  accidentally  broken  in  many  ways  and  from  different 
causes.  Fractures  in  general  are  likely  to  be  produced  by  external 
force  suddenly  and  violently  applied,  either  directly  to  the  part  or  at  a 
distance,  the  force  being  transmitted  through  the  stronger  bones  until 
it  expends  itself  by  breaking  a  weaker  one  remote  from  the  seat  of 
the  injury.  Occasionally  violent  contraction  of  muscles  is  sufficient 
to  break  a  bone.  Certain  bones,  those  of  the  limbs  in  particular,  are 
more  liable  to  fracture  than  others,  owing  to  their  exposed  position. 
The  bones  of  some  animals  are  more  easily  fractured  than  those  of 
others,  owing  to  certain  predisposing  causes,  such  as  age,  habit,  or 
hereditary  constitutional  weakness.  The  bones  of  an  animal  advanced 
in  years  are  more  subject  to  fracture  because  of  the  preponderance 
of  inorganic  matter  rendering  them  more  brittle.  They  are  also  occa- 
sionally rendered  liable  to  fracture  by  a  previously  existing  diseased 
condition.  Fractures  are  divided  into  four  classes — partial,  simple, 
compound,  and  comminuted. 

PARTIAL  FRACTURES. 

Partial  fractures  are  those  which  are  likely  to  occur  in  a  young 
animal  in  which  the  preponderance  of  animal  matter  or  the  semicarti- 
laginous  condition  of  the  bone  renders  it  tough,  so  that  even  when 
considerable  force  is  applied  the  bone  bends,  breaking  on  the  side 
opposite  that  to  which  the  force  was  applied,  after  the  manner  in 
which  a  green  stick  would  bend  and  break. 

SIMPLE   FRACTURES. 

Simple  fracture  is  one  in  which  the  bone  is  severed  in  two  parts, 
either  transversely,  longitudinally,  or  obliquely,  without  serious  injury 
to  the  adjoining  structures. 


bones:  diseases  and  accidents.  269 

COMPOUND  FRACTURES. 

Compound  fracture  is  one  in  which  the:*e  in  an  open  wound  per- 
mitting the  air  to  communicate  with  the  ends  of  the  broken  bones. 

COMMINUTED   FRACTURES. 

Comminuted  fracture  is  one  in  which  the  bone  is  shattered  or  divided 
into  a  number  of  fragments. 

COMPLICATED  FRACTURES. 

Complicated  fracture  is  one  where  other  structures  surrounding  the 
bones  are  injured. 

GENERAL  SYMPTOMS  OF  FRACTURE. 

When  a  fracture  of  one  or  more  of  the  large  bones  of  a  limb  occurs, 
symptoms  are  sure  to  be  well  marked.  After  the  accident  the  animal 
refuses  to  touch  the  foot  to  the  ground  and,  if  compelled  to  move, 
does  so  with  great  pain  and  reluctance.  There  is  more  or  less  short- 
ening of  the  limb,  with  trembling  of  the  muscles  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  injury;  deformity,  and  increased  mobility,  so  that,  instead  of  the 
natural  joints  of  the  limb  and  the  natural  muscular  control  of  their 
motion,  a  new  joint  is  formed  where  the  fracture  occurred,  over  which 
the  animal  has  no  control.  As  the  leg  hangs  dependent  from  the 
body,  shortened  by  the  ends  of  the  bones  being  forced  past  one  another 
from  the  muscular  contraction  which  invariably  takes  place,  it  swings 
in  an  awkward  and  unnatural  manner,  permitting  the  toe  and  foot  to 
assume  positions  in  their  relations  to  other  parts  of  the  body  which 
otherwise  would  be  impossible.  If  the  fractured  bone  is  so  situated 
that  the  parts  may  be  moved  one  upon  another,  a  grating  sound, 
known  as  crepitus,  will  be  observed. 

GENERAL  TREATMENT  OF  FRACTURES. 

When  a  fracture  occurs,  the  advisability  of  attempting  treatment 
must  first  be  determined.  If  the  animal  be  young,  valuable,  and  of 
reasonably  quiet  temperament,  and  the  fracture  not  too  great  in 
extent,  the  chances  of  recovery  are  fair.  On  the  other  hand,  if  the 
animal  should  be  of  little  value,  irritable,  advanced  in  years,  and  the 
fracture  a  serious  compound  or  comminuted  one,  the  wiser  course 
would  generally  be  to  put  the  creature  out  of  its  misery.  Having 
determined  to  attempt  treatment,  no  time  should  be  lost  in  restoring 
the  parts  as  nearly  as  possible  to  their  natural  position  and  retaining 
them  there.  If  the  ends  of  the  bones  have  been  drawn  past  one 
another,  they  should,  by  firm  and  continuous  tension,  be  drawn  out 
until  they  again  assume  the  position  in  which  they  were  before  the 
accident.  All  this  can  better  be  done  before  the  swelling  (which  is 
sure  to  result)  takes  place.     If  the  swelling  has  occurred  before  the 


270  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

injury  is  noticed,  do  not  attempt  to  treat  it,  but  proceed  at  once  to 
treat  the  fracture  as  though  the  swelling  were  not  present,  for  no  step 
can  be  taken  toward  recovery  until  the  ends  of  the  bone  have  been 
restored  to  their  proper  position.  When  that  is  done  and  proper 
appliances  have  been  used  to  prevent  them  from  being  again  mis- 
placed, the  swelling,  which  is  the  result  of  irritation,  will  be  relieved. 
In  selecting  the  appliances  to  be  used  in  the  treatment  of  fracture 
the  judgment  and  ingenuity  of  the  operator  are  of  much  importance. 
Splints,  made  of  wood  shaped  to  fit  the  limb  and  padded  with  soft 
material  where  they  come  in  contact  with  bony  prominences,  and  held 
in  position  by  means  of  bandages,  are  the  oldest  method,  and  with 
some  are  still  the  most  popular.  The  fracture  pads  used  in  human 
surgery,  and  for  sale  in  surgical  depots,  are  very  convenient.  After 
being  dipped  in  water  they  may  be  molded  to  fit  the  limb  and  be 
retained  by  means  of  bandages.  Heavy  sole  leather  is  also  used  after 
being  soaked  in  warm  water  and  molded  to  the  shape  of  the  limb  and 
holes  cut  in  it  to  fit  over  any  sharp  irregularities  in  the  natural  shape 
of  the  bones.  Gutta-percha  sheets  are  also  used  and  answer  well. 
They  are  prepared  and  used  in  the  same  way  as  the  leather. 

Another  and  perhaps  the  simplest  of  all  methods  is  the  application 
of  a  plaster  of  Paris  bandage,  which  is  made  as  follows :  Strips  of  thin 
cheese  cloth  3  inches  wide  and  8  or  9  feet  long  are  laid  flat  on  a  board 
and  on  them  is  spread  a  layer  of  plaster  of  Paris  about  one-eighth  of  an 
inch  thick,  then,  starting  at  one  end,  roll  carefully  so  as  to  gather 
the  plaster  in  between  the  layers  of  the  bandage.  It  is  of  course 
important  that  the  cloth  be  thin  and  the  plaster  of  Paris  fresh  and 
active.  After  preparing  four  or  five  of  such  bandages  the  operator 
is  ready  to  dress  the  fracture,  which,  after  the  parts  have  been  brought 
into  position,  should  be  done  by  covering  all  that  part  of  the  limb  to 
which  the  plaster  of  Paris  bandage  is  to  be  applied  with  a  single  layer 
of  the  dry  bandage,  letting  it  extend  both  above  and  below  the  part  to 
which  the  plaster  of  Paris  bandage  is  to  be  applied  and  including  under 
the  folds  of  the  dry  bandage  at  each  end  a  layer  of  absorbent  cotton, 
which  is  intended  to  form  a  pad  to  prevent  the  ends  of  the  plaster  of 
Paris  bandage  from  chafing  the  skin  beneath.  When  this  is  done  one  of 
the  plaster  of  Paris  bandages  should  be  placed  in  a  vessel  of  water  and 
allowed  to  remain  till  the  air  bubbles  have  ceased  to  rise  from  it,  which 
will  generally  indicate  that  it  is  soaked  through.  Then,  taking  it  in  the 
hand,  wind  it  carefully  around  and  around  the  limb,  unrolling  the  band- 
age as  it  is  wound  around  the  limb,  occasionally  smoothing  down  the 
plaster  of  Paris.  Should  it  form  roughly  or  in  ridges,  the  hand  may  be 
dipped  in  water  to  impart  increased  moisture  to  it.  When  about 
finished  with  one  bandage,  place  another  one  in  the  water,  so  that 
the  winding  operation  may  be  continued  without  delay.  The  bandages 
should  be  applied  till  the  cast  is  from  one-half  to  three-quarters  of  an 
inch  thick,  then  gently  restrain  the  animal   for  one-half  or  three- 


bones:  diseases  and  accidents.  271 

quarters  of  an  hour  till  the  plaster  is  hardened.  Any  of  the  appliances 
used  should  be  so  manipulated  as  to  prevent  absolutely  any  motion  of 
the  detached  parts.  If  the  fracture  is  near  a  joint,  it  is  generally  best 
to  include  the  joint  in  the  appliance.  The  part  of  the  limb  below  the 
bandage  should  be  carefully  and  firmly  wrapped  with  an  ordinary 
cotton  bandage  all  the  way  from  the  plaster  bandage  down  to  the 
hoof.  This  last  bandage  will  tend  to  prevent  swelling,  which  is  likely 
to  occur,  the  result  of  the  dependent  position  in  which  the  animal  is 
forced  by  nature  to  keep  the  injured  limb. 

When  plaster  of  Paris  bandages  are  applied  to  ?,  compound  fracture, 
the  injured  part  may  be  previously  dressed  with  a  small,  thick  pad  of 
cotton  immediately  over  the  wound.  In  applying  the  bandage  the 
operator  may  with  a  little  care  so  arrange  it  as  to  keep  the  folds  of 
the  bandages  off  the  cotton,  or  have  only  a  thin  layer  over  it,  which 
may  be  easily  cut  out  and  the  cotton  removed,  leaving  a  convenient 
opening  through  which  to  dress  the  wound  without  removing  the 
bandage.  The  ends  of  the  bandage  or  other  appliance  should  be 
carefully  watched  to  see  that  the  skin  does  not  become  chafed,  par- 
ticularly at  the  lower  end.  If  the  bandage  should  become  weak  or 
broken  at  any  part,  it  may  be  strengthened  without  removal  by  apply- 
ing other  bandages  immediately  over  it.  If  swelling  has  taken  place 
before  the  bandage  has  been  applied,  there  is  likehy  to  be  some  loosen- 
ing as  it  disappears,  and  even  without  the  swelling  there  is  likely  to 
be  a  tendency  of  the  bandage  to  slide  downward.  This  may  be  over- 
come by  fastening  it  to  a  suspender  attached  to  a  surcingle  or  passed 
over  the  body  and  attached  to  the  opposite  leg.  If  the  looseness  can 
not  be  overcome  in  this  way,  the  space  may  be  filled  by  pouring  in  a 
thin  paste  of  plaster  of  Paris.  A  better  method,  however,  is  to 
remove  the  bandage  and  apply  another.  Owing  to  the  hardness  of 
the  bandage  it  will  be  removed  with  some  difficulty.  A  deep  groove 
should  be  cut  down  completely  through  it  on  the  opposite  sides.  This 
may  be  done  with  a  chisel  and  a  small  hammer,  if  the  bandage  is 
carefully  held  by  an  assistant  so  that  the  concussion  of  the  blows  is 
not  transmitted  to  the  injured  bones.  The  patient  should  have  a 
roomy  stall  and  should  be  tied  by  the  head  to  prevent  any  attempts 
to  move  around.  In  some  cases  slings  have  been  used.  Ordinarily, 
however,  they  are  not  satisfactory  in  cattle  practice,  and  if  applied 
should  only  be  for  a  few  days  at  a  time  and  with  a  view  to  lessen  the 
animal's  disposition  to  lie  down,  rather  than  to  prevent  it.  When 
they  are  used  continuously,  the  pressure  on  the  abdomen  is  likely  to 
interfere  with  digestion  and  the  general  health  of  the  animal. 

Modes  of  union. — The  animal  should  be  kept  as  quiet  as  possible 
and  given  such  food  as  will  have  a  tendency  to  keep  the  bowels  slightly 
relaxed.  The  success  of  the  operation  will  depend  chiefly  on  the  skill 
of  the  operator,  but  not  alone  in  the  selection  and  use  of  the  appli- 
ances; for  as  much  attention  must  be  given  to  subsequent  manage- 


272  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

ment.  The  patients  are  unreasonable,  and  a  single  awkward  motion 
may  undo  the  work  of  weeks  so  far  as  the  union  of  the  parts  of  the  bone 
is  concerned.  Union  takes  place  after  the  same  process  and,  if  the 
conditions  are  favorable,  with  greater  rapidity  than  in  the  human 
being.  The  injury  that  caused  the  fracture  is  almost  sure  to  have 
extended  to  some  of  the  adjacent  tissues,  and,  even  though  the  frac- 
ture may  be  of  the  simplest  type,  there  is  almost  sure  to  be  consider- 
able hemorrhage  around  the  ends  of  the  broken  bone.  This,  however, 
is  unimportant  if  the  skin  remains  intact,  unless  a  very  large  vessel 
should  be  injured,  cr  the  fracture  should  open  some  of  the  important 
cavities  of  the  body,  in  which  case  a  fatal  hemorrhage  might  result.  If, 
on  the  other  hand,  the  fracture  be  a  compound  one,  the  external  open- 
ing furnishes  a  fertile  field  for  the  lodgment  of  disease-producing  germs. 
Unless  great  care  is  exercised  in  such  cases  a  suppurative  process 
is  likely  to  be  established  which  will  seriously  interfere  with,  if  not 
entirely  arrest,  the  process  of  union  between  the  bones;  or  it  may 
become  so  serious  as  to  endanger  the  general  health  of  the  animal 
and  even  be  attended  with  fatal  results.  This  last  danger  is  greater 
where  the  injury  has  occurred  to  the  bones  of  the  arm  or  thigh.  In 
such  cases,  owing  to  the  dense  covering  of  fascia  which  ensheathes 
the  muscular  covering,  pus  is  likely  to  be  imprisoned,  and,  burrowing 
downward,  saturate  the  whole  structure,  not  only  endangering  the 
limb,  but,  by  absorption,  may  set  up  blood  poisoning  and  seriously 
interfere  with  the  general  health  of  the  patient,  even  to  causing  death. 
In  order  so  far  as  possible  to  prevent  such  an  unfortunate  complica- 
tion, the  wound  should  be  carefully  cleansed  with  a  mild  solution  of 
carbolic  acid,  then  dusted  over  with  iodoform  before  the  bandages 
are  applied,  and  cleansed  and  dressed  daily  in  the  same  way.  After 
dressing  always  cover  with  absorbent  cotton.  In  the  early  process  of 
union  an  exudation  of  lymph  takes  place,  which  is  at  first  fluid,  grad- 
ually becoming  thicker  and  firmer  till  it  forms  a  callus  in  the  shape 
of  a  ring  or  ferrule  surrounding  the  detached  portions  of  the  bone, 
known  as  the  external  or  ensheathing  callus.  It  occasionally  happens 
that  this  callus  only  forms  at  the  ends  of  the  bones,  filling  the  spaces 
that  exist  between  them,  when  it  is  known  as  the  intermediate  callus. 
The  process  of  union  may  be  divided  into  five  stages.  In  the  first 
stage,  including  the  first  eight  days,  the  detached  portions  of  the  bone 
and  the  sharp  projections  that  are  not  sufficiently  nourished  are 
absorbed ;  the  blood  which  escaped  into  the  surrounding  tissues,  the 
result  of  the  injury,  is  gradually  absorbed,  and  the  effused  lymph, 
which  is  ultimately  to  constitute  the  temporary  cartilage,  takes  its 
place.  In  the  second  stage,  from  the  tenth  to  the  twentieth  day,  the 
tumor  or  callus  is  formed  and  fibrocartilage  is  developed  inside  and 
around  the  exposed  end  of  the  bone.  In  the  third  stage,  extending 
from  the  twentieth  to  the  fortieth  or  fiftieth  day,  according  to  the  age 
and  strength  of  the  animal,  the  fibrocartilaginous  structure  under- 


bones:  diseases  and  accidents.  273 

goes  a  change  and  is  gradually  converted  into  bone,  forming  a  ferrule 
on  the  outside  and  a  plug  on  the  inside,  which  serve  to  hold  the  part 
in  position.  In  the  fourth  stage,  extending  to  about  the  sixth  month, 
the  whole  of  the  new  structure  is  converted  into  bone.  The  fifth 
stage,  extending  up  to  the  end  of  the  first  year,  the  callus  is  absorbed, 
being  no  longer  necessary,  and  the  connection  between  the  cavities 
of  the  two  bones  is  again  established. 

Common  complications. — The  process  of  union  just  described  is 
healthy  and  normal.  Diseased  conditions  may  at  any  time  supervene 
during  the  treatment  and  render  the  operation  unsuccessful.  In  the 
case  of  compound  fracture,  the  open  wound  communicating  with  the 
ends  of  the  bones,  a  septic  condition  is  apt  to  arise  which  may  become 
so  serious  as  to  endanger  the  animal's  life  and  bring  about  conditions 
which  in  human  surgery  would  indicate  amputation.  Although  that 
operation  is  not  a  general  one  in  veterinary  practice,  there  is  no  rea- 
son why  it  should  not  be  attempted  as  a  last  resort,  particularly  if  the 
animal  be  valuable  or  one  whose  existence  is  necessary  in  order  to 
perpetuate  some  valuable  strain.  Even  in  the  simplest  form  of  frac- 
ture, if  the  splints  or  bandages  are  improperly  applied  and  the  frac- 
tured bone  left  so  loosely  guarded  that  the  broken  ends  move  one  upon 
another,  the  formation  of  the  calluses  previously  described  is  likely 
to  be  interfered  with,  and  in  place  of  a  strong,  rigid,  and  healthy 
union  a  formation  of  elastic  cartilage  is  the  result.  This  false  struc- 
ture unites  the  broken  ends  of  the  bones  in  such  a  way  that  they  move 
one  upon  another,  depriving  the  bone  of  its  stability  and  usefulness. 
"When  once  the  healthy  process  of  union  is  interrupted  in  the  manner 
just  described,  it  is  with  great  difficulty  that  it  can  be  again  estab- 
lished. It  no  longer  does  any  good  to  continue  the  restraining  power; 
in  fact,  the  change  of  the  temporary  cartilage  into  bone  is  more  likely 
to  be  reestablished  if  the  parts  move  violently  upon  one  another  for  a 
short  time  so  as  to  set  up  and  renew  the  process  of  inflammation. 
Then  if  the  restraint  be  again  applied  there  is  some  chance  of  union. 
In  order  so  far  as  possible  to  avoid  this  danger,  care  should  be  exer- 
cised that  the  bandage  fits  closely  and  that  it  is  kept  on  till  there  is 
no  longer  any  danger  but  that  a  perfect  union  has  taken  place.  It  is 
impossible  to  say  at  just  what  time  the  splints  or  bandages  can  safely 
be  removed.  In  a  young  and  health}'  animal  of  quiet  temperament, 
where  the  parts  have  been  firmly  held  in  position  throughout  the 
whole  time,  from  thirty  to  forty  days  may  be  regarded  as  reasonably 
safe.  Under  more  unfavorable  conditions  as  to  age,  vitality,  and 
restraint,  the  period  would  better  be  extended  up  to  sixty  days  if  the 
general  condition  of  the  animal  is  such  as  to  permit  of  so  long  a  con- 
tinuance. After  the  appliance  has  been  removed  the  animal  should 
be  allowed  to  stand  quiet  for  a  few  days,  then  given  very  gentle  exor- 
cise, gradually  increased  over  a  period  of  a  week  or  ten  days,  by 

61386—08 18 


274  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

which  time  the  patient  will  be  so  far  recovered  as  to  be  placed  in  pas- 
ture. It  should,  however,  be  alone  for  a  time,  so  as  not  to  take  any 
chance  of  injury  from  fighting  or  other  accidents  that  association  with 
other  animals  might  involve. 

SPECIAL   FRACTURES. 

Fracture  of  the  horns. — Of  the  special  fractures  liable  to  occur, 
that  of  the  horn  is  perhaps  the  most  common.  It  is  always  the  result 
of  violent  mechanical  means,  siich  as  blows,  injury  occurring  while 
fighting,  or  from  the  animal  getting  its  head  locked  in  some  manner 
while  feeding  from  a  rack.  When  it  occurs  there  are  two  ways  in 
which  the  injury  is  likely  to  affect  the  animal.  First  and  most  com- 
mon, the  horny  crust  is  likely  to  be  stripped  from  the  bony  projection 
which  it  covers.  Second,  the  crust  and  bone  may  both  be  broken  or 
bent  down,  the  fracture  occurring  in  that  case  at  the  root  of  the  horn 
and  involving  part  of  the  bones  of  the  head  in  the  immediate  vicinity. 
In  the  first  case,  where  the  horny  covering  is  knocked  off,  little 
attention  is  necessary.  The  animal  may  be  relieved  from  suffering 
by  smearing  the  stump  with  pine  tar  and  wrapping  it  in  cloth.  If 
the  core  is  much  lacerated,  perhaps  it  would  be  better  to  amputate. 
The  necessity  for  such  an  operation  must  be  determined  by  the  con- 
dition of  the  injury,  influenced  to  some  extent  by  the  ideas  of  the 
owner  on  the  subject.  When  the  operation  is  performed,  it  should  be 
done  with  a  sharp,  fine-toothed  saw,  and  by  sawing  the  horn  off  close 
enough  to  include  a  little  of  the  skin  and  hair  around  its  base.  The 
practice  of  dehorning  has  grown  popular  in  many  parts  of  the  coun- 
try. It  is  a  simple  operation,  and,  although  attended  with  some 
immediate  suffering,  does  not  produce  serious  constitutional  disturb- 
ance. The  advisability  of  performing  the  operation  on  all  cattle  is  a 
question  of  expediency  and  must  be  justified  by  the  expectation  of 
benefit  on  the  part  of  the  feeder.  If  the  horn  should  be  broken  so 
that  the  core  and  crust  are  bent  out  of  shape  without  the  detachment 
of  one  from  the  other,  it  may  be  restored  to  its  normal  position  and 
retained  there  by  means  of  a  splint  made  to  fit  across  the  back  of  the 
head,  so  as  to  be  laced  to  both  horns,  the  sound  horn  serving  to  hold 
the  broken  one  in  position.  Such  a  splint  may  be  fastened  on  by 
means  of  either  wire  or  cord  and  allowed  to  remain  six  weeks  or  two 
months. 

If  the  horn  and  core  have  both  been  broken  off,  bleeding  is  usually 
severe  and  should  be  checked  by  astringents,  such  as  alum,  or  by 
pressure.  After  the  hemorrhage  has  ceased  the  exposed  portion  of 
the  fractm*e  should  be  covered  with  pine  tar,  with  or  without  a  ban- 
dage. An  imperfect  growth  of  horn  will  in  due  time  cover  the  exposed 
bone. 

Fractures  of  the  bones  of  the  face. — These  occasionally  occur, 
and  when  over  the  cavities  of  the  nose  produce  depression,  disfigure- 


bones:  diseases  and  accidents.  275 

inent,  and  impeded  respiration,  owing  to  the  lessening  of  the  caliber 
of  the  nasal  passages. 

When  such  an  accident  occurs,  the  depressed  bone  should  be  gently- 
forced  back  to  place  by  introducing  the  finger  in  the  nostril,  or  if  the 
fracture  be  too  far  up  for  this,  a  probe  may  be  passed  and  the  parts 
retained  by  placing  a  plaster  of  thin  leather  or  strong  canvas  smeared 
with  tar  immediately  over  it,  extending  out  to  the  sound  surround- 
ings, taking  care  to  embed  the  hair  over  the  fractured  portion  in  the 
tar  of  the  plaster  so  it  will  be  firmly  held  and  prevented  from  again 
becoming  depressed.  If  only  one  nostril  should  be  involved,  the 
depressed  portion  may  be  held  in  position  by  packing  the  nostril  on 
that  side  with  absorbent  cotton.  This  practice,  however,  has  the 
objection  of  giving  the  animal  great  discomfort,  and  in  some  cases  a 
disposition  to  aggravate  the  injury. 

Fracture  of  the  skull  (cranium). — Fractures  of  the  bones 
forming  the  cavity  in  which  the  brain  is  situated  are,  owing  to  their 
strength,  comparatively  rare  among  cattle.  Such  an  accident  can 
only  be  the  result  of  external  violence,  and  it  is  hardly  possible  that 
it  could  occur  without  some  fragment  of  the  broken  bone  pressing 
upon  the  brain  so  as  to  cause  coma  or  other  severe  nervous  derange- 
ment, or  even  death. 

If  the  animal  survives  the  first  shock,  the  efforts  should  be  directed 
toward  relieving  the  pressure,  which  may  be  done  by  making  an  open- 
ing in  the  bone  (trephining)  and  with  a  hook  drawing  the  depressed 
part  outward.  Interference  is  not  so  likely  to  be  attended  with  good 
results  as  to  be  warranted  in  all  cases.  The  effects  of  a  very  severe 
shock  which  may  not  have  produced  a  fracture,  although  the  symp- 
toms were  alarming,  will  in  many  cases  pass  off,  leaving  the  animal 
in  a  better  condition  than  if  an  operation  had  been  performed. 

Fracture  op  the  lower  javt. — This  occasionally  occurs,  and  is 
more  likely  to  result  from  the  kick  of  a  horse  than  from  any  other 
cause.  The  front  part  of  the  jaw  is  likely  to  be  split  or  shattered  in 
any  direction  in  which  the  force  may  have  been  applied.  Bloody  dis- 
charges from  the  mouth  and  failure  to  eat  or  ruminate  are  symptoms 
most  likely  to  attract  attention. 

The  treatment  is  simple,  and  consists  of  first  removing  detached 
pieces  of  bone,  then  drawing  the  parts  together  and  retaining  them  by 
means  of  pieces  of  copper  wire  fastened  around  the  teeth,  and  feeding 
the  animal  on  s^ppy  food  until  recovery  takes  place.  The  wound 
should  be  dressed  once  or  twice  a  day  with  a  3  per  cent  solution  of 
carbolic  acid,  forced  gently  in  with  a  syringe,  so  as  to  remove  any  food 
which  may  have  become  impacted  and  interfere  with  the  healing 
process. 

Fracture  of  the  vertebra  (spinal  column). — This  is  not  so 
common  among  cattle  as  other  animals.  If  the  fracture  should  be 
through  the  body  of  the  bone  there  is  likely  to  be  pressure  on  or  lace- 


276  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

ration  of  the  spinal  cord,  causing  paralysis  of  all  parts  posterior  to  the 
seat  of  injury.  Fractures  of  the  prominences  on  the  vertebra  occasion- 
ally occur  without  interfering  with  the  canal  in  which  the  spinal  cord 
is  located.  Such  accidents  are  likely  to  pass  unnoticed,  for,  although 
the  animal  may  suffer  considerable  pain,  it  is  not  likely  to  be  mani- 
fested in  such  a  way  as  to  attract  attention,  and  the  deep  covering  of 
muscles  serves  to  effectually  conceal  the  injury.  When  the  fracture 
occurs  in  the  upper  part  of  the  neck,  paralysis  of  the  muscles  used  in 
respiration  must  result,  and  death  from  asphyxia  very  shortly  ensues. 
The  more  common  accident  is  to  the  loins,  and  when  a  fracture  of  the 
body  of  the  vertebra  occurs  in  this  region  so  as  to  produce  pressure 
on  the  spinal  cord,  paralysis  of  the  hind  legs  and  quarters  is  the  result. 
Diagnosis  of  such  an  accident  is  more  difficult  than  in  the  case  of  auy 
other  fracture.  The  parts  can  not  be  moved  one  upon  another  so  that 
crepitus  is  noticeable.  The  heavy  coating  of  muscles  conceals  irregu- 
larities of  shape  which  would  otherwise  be  likely  to  attract  attention. 
About  the  only  reliable  symptom  is  paralysis  or  loss  of  use  and  sensa- 
tion of  the  parts  posterior  to  the  injury.  Careful  examination  may 
reveal  the  seat  of  the  injury.  If  it  was  the  result  of  a  blow,  there  is 
likely  to  be  some  abrasion  of  the  skin.  The  diagnosis  is  only  impor- 
tant as  an  aid  in  determining  the  proper  course  to  pursue. 

If  paralysis  is  present  and  a  depression  or  irregularity  of  the  spinal 
column  is  so  apparent  as  to  leave  no  doubt  of  the  existence  of  a 
fracture,  the  only  alternative  is  to  destroy  the  animal,  for  of  recovery 
there  can  be  no  hope.  If,  on  the  other  hand,  the  paralysis  is  incom- 
plete and  there  is  no  depression  or  irregularity  of  the  spinal  column  or 
other  evidence  of  fracture,  the  patient  should  be  made  as  comfortable 
as  possible  by  being  placed  in  a  well-bedded  box  stall  and  a  few  days 
permitted  to  elapse  before  the  case  is  abandoned.  The  symptoms  last 
described  might  possibly  be  the  result  of  a  severe  strain  of  the  muscles 
of  the  loins,  in  which  case  an  improvement  will  soon  be  noticeable. 

Fractures  of  the  pelvis. — The  pelvis,  or  bony  framework  which 
gives  shape  to  the  posterior  part  of  the  body,  is  liable  to  fracture  in 
many  ways.  A  common  one  is  by  a  separation  of  the  two  bones  which 
constitute  the  whole  pelvis  along  the  bottom  and  center  line  (symphysis 
pubis).  In  early  life  the  two  bones  are  separate  and  distinct.  The 
union  between  them,  which  is  at  first  cartilaginous,  undergoes  a  change 
and  is  converted  into  bone,  so  that  in  adult  life  the  whole  pelvis  is 
practically  one  bone.  The  point  on  which  the  two  bones  are  united  is 
weaker  than  the  adjoining  parts  of  the  bone.  When  an  animal  slips  vio- 
lently, spreading  the  legs  wide  apart,  the  weaker  materials  give  way  and 
the  bones  are  divided.  If  the  accident  is  noticed  when  it  occurs,  it  is 
likely  to  throw  light  on  the  nature  of  the  injury.  The  animal  will  imme- 
diately go  stiff  behind,  the  legs  being  spread  apart.  Further  examina- 
tion may  be  made  by  introducing  the  hand,  previously  carefully  oiled, 
into  the  rectum  or  vagina  and  pressing  down  along  the  central  line, 


bones:  diseases  and  accidents.  277 

which  will  cause  the  patient  to  evince  acute  pain.  In  this  case  no 
appliance  can  be  used  to  advantage.  The  animal  should  be  tied  in  a 
stall  until  the  parts  become  reunited  and  the  lameness  disappears. 

Fracture  of  the  posterior  part  of  the  bone  (ischium)  which  forms 
the  point  of  the  buttocks  occasionally  occurs.  The  buttock  on  the 
injured  side  will  be  less  prominent  than  the  other.  Careful  manipu- 
lation will  generally  move  the  parts  so  that  crepitus  may  be  recog- 
nized. If  the  fracture  is  through  the  posterior  part  of  the  bone,  it  is 
unimportant  and  deserving  of  no  more  attention  than  placing  the 
animal  in  such  a  position  as  to  insure  it  against  subsequent  injury 
until  the  bones  are  united.  Some  distortion  is  likely  to  result,  but 
not  sufficient  to  warrant  interference. 

Fracture  through  the  body  of  the  bone  on  a  line  with  the  hip  joint 
(acetabulum)  occasional^,  though  rarely,  occurs,  and  is  nearly  always 
associated  with  dislocation  of  the  hip  joint  and  the  forcing  of  the  head 
of  the  upper  bone  of  the  leg  (femur)  upward,  far  out  of  its  place. 
The  violent  contraction  of  powerful  muscles  of  the  hip  renders  it 
impossible  to  reduce  the  dislocation,  and  even  if  it  were  possible  the 
fractured  pelvis  could  not  be  held  in  position,  so  that  the  case  becomes 
at  once  a  hopeless  one.  It  may  be  recognized  by  the  animal  stand- 
ing on  three  legs,  the  leg  on  the  injured  side  seeming  shorter,  than 
its  fellow  and  hanging  pendulous,  the  muscles  of  the  hip  violentty 
contracted  and  hard  to  the  touch.  The  animal  evinces  great  pain 
when  the  limb  is  moved.  There  is  likely  to  be  some  apparent  distor- 
tion in  the  relations  between  the  point  of  the  hip  and  the  point  of  the 
buttock.  This  will  be  more  readily  noticed  by  comparing  the  injured 
side  with  the  other.  The  parts  may  be  moved  so  as  to  produce 
crepitus.  The  examination  may  be  completed  by  introducing  the 
oiled  hand  into  the  vagina  or  rectum,  when  the  two  sides  of  the  pelvis 
will  reveal  well-marked  differences. 

Fracture  op  the  point  op  the  hip. — The  anterior  and  external 
part  of  the  pelvis  (ilium),  commonly  known  as  the  point  of  the  hip, 
is  liable  to  fracture,  which  stock  owners  describe  as  "hipping,"  or 
being  "hipped,"  or  having  the  hip  "knocked  down."  This  accident 
is  likely  to  be  the  result  of  crowding  while  passing  through  a  narrow 
door,  of  falling  violently  on  the  point  of  the  hip,  or  from  a  violent 
blow  directed  downward  and  forward  against  it.  The  lesion  generally 
extends  across  the  flat  surface  of  the  bone  from  its  outer  and  posterior 
edge  forward  and  inward.  Distortion  is  likely  to  be  the  only  notice- 
able symptom.  The  detached  portion  varies  in  size  in  different 
cases  and  with  it  the  resulting  deformity.  The  animal  is  noticed  to 
be  slightly  lame,  but  this  symptom  soon  disappears.  The  detached 
portion  of  the  bone  is  drawn  downward  and  away  from  the  main  part 
by  the  action  of  the  muscles  below,  which  are  so  powerful  as  to  render 
return  impossible.  The  bones  therefore  remain  permanently  sepa- 
rated, union  taking  place  by  fibrous  callus.     The  animal  suffers  very 


278  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

little  inconvenience,  and  for  practical  use  may  be  serviceable  as  before 
the  accident,  though  the  distorted  appearance  depreciates  its  value. 

Fracture  of  the  ribs. — Such  an  occurrence  can  take  place  only 
as  the  result  of  a  direct  injury,  as  from  blows  or  crowding.  The  pos- 
terior ribs,  being  more  exposed,  are  more  liable  to  fracture.  Pain  in 
moving,  slight  swelling  over  the  seat  of  injury,  and  difficult  breathing 
are  obvious  symptoms.  If  the  fracture  be  complete,  crepitation  may 
be  occasionally  noticed  b}-  placing  the  hand  flat  over  the  injured  part, 
observing  carefully  the  motion  as  the  chest  contracts  and  expands 
during  respiration.  This  symptom  is  more  noticeable  when  the  animal 
coughs.  Unless  the  point  of  the  broken  bone  penetrates  the  cavity 
of  the  chest  the  fracture  is  usually  unimportant  and  calls  for  no  treat- 
ment other  than  quiet.  If  the  breathing  is  very  labored  and  attended 
with  much  pain,  motion  may  be  limited  by  applying  a  wide  bandage 
firmly  around  the  chest.  The  animal  should  be  restricted  in  the 
amount  of  food  and  water  for  a  few  days,  the  stomach  being  kept  as 
nearly  empty  as  possible.  Sloppj^  food  should  be  given  to  encourage, 
as  much  as  possible,  free  action  of  the  diaphragm  in  breathing. 

Fracture  of  bones  of  the  limbs. — On  this  subject  much  has 
been  said  in  the  preceding  remarks  on  general  fractures.  As  a  rule, 
fracture  through  one  of  the  large  bones  of  the  shoulder  (scapula)  or 
thigh  (femur)  is  very  difficult  to  manage.  The  powerful  contraction 
of  the  muscles  and  the  changing  shape  of  the  limb  resulting  from 
their  action  renders  it  impossible  to  retain  the  detached  parts  of  the 
bone  in  proper  position.  Therefore,  though  the  union  should  take 
place,  there  is  almost  sure  to  be  considerable  deformity  and  more  or 
less  lameness.  Fracture  of  the  arm  (humerus)  or  leg  (tibia)  is  likely 
to  be  attended  with  better  results.  The  muscular  covering  is  not  so 
thick,  the  sheath  in  which  they  are  held  is  more  tense,  and  the  change 
in  the  shape  of  the  limb  from  muscular  action  not  so  noticeable,  the 
muscular  force  not  so  great,  all  of  which  facilitate  replacing  in  posi- 
tion the  dislodged  ends  and  retaining  them. 

Fracture  of  the  knee  (carpus)  and  hock  (tarsus). — Unless  it 
is  the  result  of  a  very  violent  injury  this  seldom  occurs,  and  is  gener- 
ally associated  with  other  injury  and  serious  complications.  Dis- 
placement does  not  generally  occur  to  any  considerable  extent.  The 
treatment,  of  course,  will  consist  in  holding  the  limb  perfectly  quiet 
in  a  natural  position,  which  may  be  done  by  the  application  of  long 
wooden  splints  retained  by  bandages,  or  a  plaster  of  Paris  bandage. 

Fractures  below  the  knee. — Fracture  of  the  long  bone  below  the 
knee  (metacarpus)  and  hock  (metatarsus)  is  more  common.  In  young 
animals  of  quiet  temperament  the  treatment  of  simple  fractures  here 
is  likely  to  be  attended  with  good  results.  On  the  other  hand,  a 
compound  fracture  in  this  region  becomes  a  serious  matter.  The 
si  ructures  which  surround  the  bones  are  so  thin  that  a  very  small 
degree  of  sloughing  will  expose  parts  of  the  bones  and  be  likely  to 
lead  to  serious  complications  and  probably  fatal  results. 


bones:  diseases  and  accidents.  279 

Fractures  op  bones  below  the  fetlock. — These  fractures  are 
comparatively  unimportant  unless  associated  with  other  serious 
injury.  The  parts  can  generally  be  held  in  position  without  much 
difficulty,  and  union  generally  takes  place  quite  rapidly 

Appliances. — Of  the  appliances  used  in  the  treatment  of  the  frac- 
ture of  limbs  above  the  knee,  splints  made  of  wood  or  iron  strips  and 
bandages  are  likely  to  serve  best.  Below  the  knee  plaster  of  Paris 
bandages  are  preferable.  The  writer  is  well  aware  that  many  of  the 
standard  authors  deprecate  the  use  of  the  latter,  but  an  extensive 
experience  leads  me  to  believe  that  they  have  many  advantages  over 
any  of  the  other  appliances  when  used  alone,  and  they  may  in  many 
ways  be  used  with  advantage  in  combination  with  others. 

DISLOCATIONS. 

Luxation,  or  displacement  of  the  bones  forming  a  joint  without 
fracture,  is  comparatively  rare  among  cattle.  It  most  frequently 
occurs  in  the  stifle  joint,  where  dislocation  of  the  kneepan  (patella) 
takes  place.  A  glance  at  the  skeleton  (PI.  XXV)  will  show  the  rela- 
tions better  than  they  can  be  described.  It  will  be  observed  that  the 
small  irregularly  shaped  bone  (patella)  plays  on  the  anterior  rounded 
part  of  the  lower  end  of  the  thighbone  (femur)  and  between  it  and  the 
upper  end  of  the  shank  bone  (tibia).  The  outer  ridge  on  the  lower 
end  of  the  thigh  bone  is  less  prominent  than  the  inner  one,  so  that  dis- 
placement, when  it  does  take  place,  is  by  slipping  outward.  Such  an 
accident  may  occur  from  direct  injury  or  external  force,  as  a  blow,  or 
from  slipping.  When  it  does  occur  the  symptoms  produced  are  some- 
what alarming.  The  animal  is  unable  to  draw  the  leg  forward,  and 
either  stands  with  it  thrown  back  with  the  toe  pointing  downward  or, 
if  it  should  succeed  in  getting  its  weight  upon  it,  holds  it  firmly  on  the 
ground,  fearing  to  move  it.  Examination  of  the  outside  of  the  joint 
will  disclose  the  situation  of  the  patella  outside  of  its  proper  place. 
If  the  operator  is  not  familiar  with  the  normal  appearance  of  the  joint, 
it  is  well  to  make  a  comparison  between  the  injured  and  the  sound 
one.  If  compelled  to  move,  the  animal  does  so  with  great  difficulty, 
jerking  the  leg  which  it  is  unable  to  bring  forward,  hopping  with  the 
other  and  partially  dragging  the  injured  one. 

Treatment. — The  treatment  is  simple.  A  rope  20  feet  long  should 
be  applied  around  the  fetlock  of  the  affected  leg,  passed  forward 
between  the  front  legs  and  up  over  the  opposite  side  of  the  neck,  back 
over  the  withers,  and  wrapped  once  behind  the  elbow  around  that  por- 
1  ion  of  the  rope  which  passes  between  the  front  legs.  The  leg  is  then 
drawn  away  from  the  body  and  forcibly  pushed  forward  by  an  assist- 
ant, while  another  person  tightens  up  the  slack  in  the  rope  until  the 
affected  leg  is  off  the  ground  in  front  of  the  supporting  leg.  The  rope 
is  then  drawn  taut  and  the  assistant  grasps  the  tail  and  pulls  the  cow 
toward  the  affected  side.  The  animal  makes  a  lurch  to  keep  from 
falling,  contracts  the  muscles,  and  the  patella  slips  into  place  with  a 


280  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

sharp  click,  and  the  animal  walks  off  as  if  nothing  had  happened.  If 
the  animal  resists  this  method  of  handling,  it  may  suffice  to  manipu- 
late the  dislocated  kneepan  by  shoving  it  inward  and  forward  with 
the  heel  of  the  hand  while  the  affected  leg  is  drawn  well  forward. 
Unless  some  precaution  is  taken  the  accident  is  liable  to  recur,  as  the 
ligaments  have  been  stretched  by  the  dislocation  till  they  no  longer 
hold  the  bone  with  that  firmness  necessary  to  retain  it.  The  animal 
.should  be  tied  and  the  foot  fastened  forward,  so  that  the  patient  can 
just  stand  on  it  comfortably,  by  means  of  a  rope  or  strap  around  the 
fetlock  carried  forward  between  the  front  legs  around  the  neck  and 
tied  on  the  breast. 

Should  this  accident  occur  more  than  once  it  is  a  good  practice  to 
apply  a  blister  around  the  joint,  as  in  the  formula  recommended  for 
sprain  of  shoulder,  and  observe  the  precautions  as  to  restraint  and  subse- 
quent treatment  there  recommended.  With  this  one  exception,  disloca- 
tions in  the  ox  occurring  independently  of  other  complications  are  rare. 

Dislocation  with  fracture  may  occur  in  any  of  the  joints,  and  where 
one  is  suspected  or  discovered,  examination  should  alwa3Ts  be  made 
for  the  other  before  treatment  is  applied.  When  a  fracture  occurs  in 
the  vicinity  of  a  joint  the  force  sufficient  to  rend  the  bone  is  likely  to  be 
partly  exerted  on  the  immediate  tissues,  and  when  the  bone  gives  way 
the  structures  of  the  joints  are  likely  to  be  seriously  injured.  It  occa- 
sionally happens  that  the  injuiy  to  the  joint  becomes  the  most  impor- 
tant complication  in  the  treatment  of  a  fracture.  In  order  clearly  to 
understand  the  reason  for  this  a  few  words  are  necessary  in  relation 
to  the  structure  of  joints. 

The  different  pieces  constituting  the  skeleton  of  the  animal  body 
are  united  in  such  a  manner  as  to  admit  of  more  or  .less  motion  one 
upon  another.  In  some  of  the  more  simple  joints  the  bones  fitting 
one  into  another  are  held  together  by  the  dense  structures  around 
them,  admitting  of  very  little  or  no  movement  at  all,  as  the  bones  of 
the  head.  In  other  joints  the  bones  are  bound  together  by  dense  car- 
tilaginous structures,  admitting  of  only  limited  motion,  such  as  the 
union  of  the  small  bones  at  the  back  part  of  the  knee  and  hock 
(metacarpal  and  metatarsal).  In  the  more  perfect  form  of  joint  the 
power  of  motion  becomes  complete  and  the  structures  are  more  com- 
plex. The  substance  of  the  bone  on  its  articular  surface  is  not  cov- 
ered with  periosteum,  but  is  sheathed  in  a  dense,  thin  layer  of  carti- 
lage, shaped  to  fit  the  other  surfaces  with  which  it  comes  in  contact 
(articular).  This  laj'er  is  thickest  toward  its  center  when  covering 
bony  eminences,  and  is  elastic,  of  a  pearly  whiteness,  and  resisting, 
though  soft  enough  to  be  easily  cut.  The  bones  forming  an  articula- 
tion are  bound  together  by  numerous  ligaments  attached  to  bony 
prominences.  The  whole  joint  is  sealed  in  bjr  a  band  or  ribbon-like 
ligament  (capsular  ligament)  extending  around  the  joint  and  attached 
at  the  outer  edge  of  the  articular  surface,  uniting  the  bones  and  her- 


bones:  diseases  and  accidents.  281 

metically  sealing  the  cavities  of  the  articulation.  This  structure  and 
the  articular  surface  of  the  bone  is  covered  by  a  thin,  delicate  mem- 
brane, known  as  the  "synovial  membrane,"  which  secretes  the  joint 

oil  (synovia).  This  fluid  is  viscid  and  colorless,  or  slightly  yellow, 
and  although  it  does  not  possess  a  large  amount  of  fat,  its  chara< 
somewhat  resembles  oil,  and  it  serves  the  same  purpose  in  lubri- 
cating the  joints  that  oil  does  to  the  friction  surfaces  of  an  engine. 
Although  the  tissues  of  the  joint  when  used  in  a  natural  way  are  able 
to  withstand  the  effect  of  great  exertion,  when  unnaturally  used,  as 
they  are  very  delicate  and  complex,  they  are  liable  to  inflammatory 
and  other  changes  of  a  very  serious  nature.  The  synovial  membrane, 
and  in  fact  the  whole  structure  of  the  joint,  is  susceptible  to  injury 
and  serious  inflammatory  derangement,  and  the  capsular  ligament  is 
liable  to  be  distended  from  excessive  secretion  of  synovia.  The  lat- 
ter process  may  be  almost  noninflammatory,  and  attended  with  little 
inconvenience  or  importance  other  than  a  blemish  to  the  animal, 
which  in  cattle  is  not  serious.  It  may  occur  on  the  back  part  of  the 
leg  above  the  fetlock  or  on  the  inner  and  fore  part  of  the  hock,  cor- 
responding in  its  location  to  windgalls  and  bog  spavin  of  the  horse. 
Continuous  support  by  bandages  will  generally  force  reabsorption, 
and  as  the  limb  is  not  subjected  to  violent  action,  as  in  the  case  of  the 
horse,  the  affection  is  not  so  liable  to  recur. 

SPAVIN. 

Occasionally  working  oxen  that  are  used  in  the  lumber  woods  and 
made  to  pull  heavily,  with  bad  footing,  are  afflicted  with  this  condi- 
tion. When  it  occurs  lameness  is  the  first  symptom.  During  the 
early  stages  of  the  disease  the  lameness  is  most  severe  in  the  morning 
and  disappears  after  the  animal  is  exercised;  it  gradually  becomes 
more  severe  as  the  disease  advances,  so  that  when  the  disease  is  well 
<->tablished  the  animal  is  lame  continuously.  Shortly  after  the  lame- 
ness appears  a  bunch  (exostosis)  will  be  noticed  on  the  inner  and  fore 
part  of  the  affected  joint.  This  bunch  differs  from  bog  spavin  in  that 
it  is  hard,  while  bog  spavin  is  soft.  It  increases  in  size  as  the  disease 
advances  till  the  animal  is  too  lame  to  be  used  for  labor.  As  the  dis- 
ease is  always  attended  with  considerable  pain  there  is  more  or  less 
loss  of  flesh.  In  the  most  advanced  stage  the  animal  will  step  with 
difficulty,  frequently  holding  the  foot  from  the  ground,  or,  if  forced 
to  take  a  few  steps,  stands  with  it  elevated,  twitching  with  pain.  In 
the  earlier  stage  of  the  disease  only  a  small  portion  of  the  fore  part 
of  the  lower,  or  second,  articulation  is  involved,  but  the  inflammatory 
process  gradually  extends  over  the  whole  surface  of  the  lower  joints 
of  the  hock.  The  structures  of  the  joint  are  broken  down  and  the 
bones  are  united  (anchylosis).  This  process  may  include  any  or  all 
of  the  three  lower  jointe  of  the  hock.  The  joint  of  motion  which  is 
situated  on  the  lower  end  of  the  leg  bone  is  seldom  involved. 


282  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

Treatment. — Treatment  of  spavin  in  the  ox,  as  in  the  horse,  is 
likely  to  be  tedious,  and  not  always  resulting  in  perfect  cure.  Usu- 
ally it  is  best  to  fatten  the  animal  for  slaughter.  If,  however,  treat- 
ment is  decided  upon,  it  should  consist  of  complete  rest  and  counter- 
irritation  of  the  part  either  by  sharp  blisters  or  the  firing  iron.  It 
is  advisable  to  try  the  effect  of  blistering  first,  and  for  this  purpose 
the  following  mixture  is  recommended: 

Powdered  cantharides drams.  -       3 

Biniodid  of  mercury do % 

Vaseline ounces. .       H 

Clip  the  hair  off  and  apply  over  the  inner  and  fore  part  of  the  joint, 
covering  the  surface  an  inch  and  a  half  in  every  direction  from  the 
enlargement,  or  over  an  area  three  to  four  inches  across.  Fasten  the 
animal's  head  so  that  it  can  not  reach  the  part  to  lick  it;  after  the  third 
day  grease  with  lard  every  other  day  until  the  scabs  come  off.  This 
blister  may  be  repeated  three  or  four  -times  at  intervals  of  three 
weeks.  The  lameness  will  generally  begin  to  disappear  about  the 
third  or  fourth  month  if  the  above  treatment  proves  beneficial. 
Should  lameness  persist,  firing  in  points  by  a  qualified  veterinarian 
may  effect  the  desired  result  and  should  be  tried  as  a  last  resort. 

In  a  case  of  spavin  the  cure  is  not  effected  by  restoring  the  dis- 
eased parts  to  their  natural  condition,  but  by  uniting  the  bones  and 
obliterating  the  joints.  If  this  union  extends  over  the  whole  articular 
surface  of  the  joints  affected  and  is  sufficiently  strong  to  prevent  any 
motion  of  the  bones,  the  animal  will  again  go  sound.  The  joints  that 
are  obliterated,  not  being  those  of  motion,  are  not  important,  so  that 
the  animal  suffers  no  inconvenience  in  their  loss. 

RHEUMATISM. 

Rheumatism  is  a  constitutional  disease  due  to  a  specific  condition 
of  the  blood  and  characterized  by  inflammation  of  the  fibrous  struc- 
tures of  the  body.  It  is  usually  accompanied  by  stiffness,  lameness, 
and  fever.  The  parts  affected  are  usually  swollen,  bat  swelling  may 
be  lacking.  The  inflammation  may  be  transitory — that  is,  it  changes 
from  place  to  place.  The  parts  usually  affected  are  the  fibrous  struc- 
tures of  the  joints,  tendons,  ligaments,  and  muscles.  The  serous  mem- 
branes and  heart  may  also  be  affected.  According  to  its  location, 
rheumatism  is  specified  as  articular  or  muscular.  According  to  its 
course,  it  is  designated  as  acute  or  chronic. 

Cause.' — Among  the  factors  which  are  actively  causative  of  rheuma- 
tism may  be  mentioned  exposure  to  dampness  and  cold,  especially 
while  the  animal  is  perspiring  or  fatigued  after  severe  physical  exer- 
tion. Among  other  causes  often  mentioned  are  acidity  of  the  blood, 
nervous  derangement,  microbes,  and  injuries.  It  occasionally  follows 
another  disease,  such  as  pleurisy.     The  influence  of  age  and  heredity 


bones:  diseases  and  accidents.  283 

may  be  considered  as  secondary  or  predisposing  causes.  Sometimes 
the  disease  appears  without  any  apparent  cause.  On  the  whole,  it  may 
be  said  that  any  of  the  above-mentioned  factors  may  have  more  or  less 
influence  on  the  production  of  rheumatism,  but  the  specific  cause  is 
as  yet  unknown. 

Symptoms  of  articular  rlieumatism. — The  s3^mptoms  appear  sud- 
denly and  with  varying  degrees  of  severity.  The  animal  presents  a 
downcast  appearance,  with  staring  coat,  horns  and  ears  cold,  and  the 
mouth  and  muzzle  hot  and  diy.  Appetite  and  rumination  ma)r  be 
impaired  and  followed  later  or  be  accompanied  at  the  same  time  by 
constipation.  Constipation  may  be  followed  by  impaction  of  the 
stomach  or  bowels.  Thirst  is  increased,  but  the  amount  of  urine 
voided  is  scanty.  Respiration  and  pulse  are  accelerated,  and  there  is 
usually  a  fever,  rising  sometimes  as  high  as  108°  F.  The  animal  pre- 
fers to  lie  down,  and  when  forced  to  rise  stands  with  its  back  arched. 
The  movements  are  stiff  and  lame  and  cause  great  pain.  The  disease 
may  attack  one  or  more  joints  at  the  same  time;  in  fact,  it  is  often 
symmetrical.  One  joint  may  improve  while  another  becomes  affected, 
thus  showing  the  shifting  tendencj"  of  the  inflammation.  The  affected 
joints,  including  their  tendons,  ligaments,  and  synovial  membranes, 
may  be  swollen,  hot,  and  distended  with  liquid.  They  are  very  ten- 
der, and,  if  treated  carelessly  or  injured,  may  become  infected,  thus 
leading  to  suppuration.  While  rheumatism  attacks  perhaps  more  fre- 
quently the  knees  and  fetlocks,  it  has  no  special  affinity  for  any  joint 
and  may  attack  the  stifle,  hip,  shoulder,  or  elbow  joint.  In  mild 
cases  of  articular  rheumatism,  the  animal  may  fully  recover  in  a  few 
days. 

In  chronic  articular  rheumatism  there  is  less  tendency  of  the  dis- 
ease to  shift  about,  but  there  is  a  greater  liability  of  structural  change 
in  the  affected  joints.  This  change  may  consist  of  induration,  exos- 
tosis, or  even  anchylosis.  These  structural  changes  about  the  joints 
may  lead  to  permanent  deformity,  such  as  bending  of  the  neck. 
Fever  is  not  so  constant  in  the  chronic  form  as  in  the  acute,  and  the 
latter  may  lapse  into  the  former. 

Symptoms  of  muscular  rheumatism. — This  form  of  rheumatism  may 
appear  under  the  same  general  conditions  as  the  articular  form.  The 
general  appearance  of  the  animal  is  the  same  in  both  forms.  The  cow 
usually  assumes  a  recumbent  position,  and  all  the  movements  made 
are  stiff  and  lame.  The  method  of  rising  or  of  locomotion  indicates 
pain  in  certain  muscles  or  groups  of  muscles,  as  of  the  croup,  shoulder, 
or  neck.  As  in  the  case  of  articular  rheumatism,  the  tendons,  liga- 
ments, and  synovial  membranes  may  become  involved.  The  constitu- 
tional symptoms  in  both  articular  and  muscular  rheumatism  are  sim- 
ilar, so  that  it  is  often  perplexing  to  differentiate  between  the  two 
forms. 
'Prevention. — It  is  somewhat  difficult  to  procure  preventive  treat- 


284  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

ment  for  cattle,  especially  when  there  are  large  numbers  with  little 
or  no  shelter.  In  general  it  is  advisable  to  protect  the  animals  so  far 
as  possible  from  inclement  weather  conditions,  such  as  cold  rains, 
heavy  dews,  and  frosts.  This  is  more  particularly  necessary  for  ani- 
mals in  poor  condition,  or  those  which  are  perspiring  or  fatigued  after 
long  physical  exertion.     Careful  feeding  is  also  essential. 

Treatment. — In  attempting  to  treat  cattle  for  rheumatism  the  first 
step  is  to  procure  proper  shelter  and  environment.  The  animal 
should  be  quartered  in  a  large,  clean,  dry  stall  with  plenty  of  light 
and  fresh  air,  but  protected  from  strong  drafts.  There  should  be  an 
abundance  of  clean,  dry  bedding.  The  food  should  be  soft  and  easily 
digestible  and  slightly  laxative,  and  the  animal  should  have  access  to 
clean,  pure,  cool  water. 

For  general  or  constitutional  treatment  of  acute  rheumatism, 
sodium  salicylate  is  indicated.  In  order  to  gain  the  best  results  from 
this  drug,  it  should  be  administered  with  the  idea  of  rapidly  saturat- 
ing the  system.  To  cattle  it  may  be  given  in  doses  of  one-half  ounce 
every  two  hours  for  ten  hours  or  until  immediate  relief  is  obtained. 
This  drug  should  not  be  continued  indefinitely,  but  may  be  given 
once  a  day  after  immediate  relief  has  been  obtained,  and  this  single 
dose  continued  daily  until  permanent  relief  ensues,  when  it  should 
be  stopped.  The  use  of  sodium  salicylate  in  chronic  rheumatism  is 
not  advisable  on  account  of  the  danger  of  depressing  the  heart,  whose 
action  is  already  somewhat  impaired  by  the  lesions  which  have 
attacked  it.  In  this  case  one-half  ounce  doses  of  potassium  nitrate  or 
bicarbonate  may  be  given  three  times  a  day.  Besides  the  constitu- 
tional treatment,  it  may  be  necessary  to  give  special  attention  to  the 
bowels  in  order  to  relieve  constipation.  Cattle  may  be  given  saline 
laxatives  at  the  outset,  such  as  1  pound  of  Epsom  salts  for  an 
ordinary-sized  cow,  and  the  bowels  kept  regular  by  an  occasional 
smaller  dose. 

In  chronic  rheumatism  the  best  course  of  treatment  is  to  give  tonics 
and  local  treatment.  Local  treatment  may  also  be  advisable  in  acute 
rheumatism  in  addition  to  the  constitutional  treatment  already  pre- 
scribed. 

External  treatment  depends  solely  on  the  local  conditions  and  should 
be  applied  judiciously.  Among  the  various  remedies  may  be  men- 
tioned hot  or  cold  moist  packs,  hot  air  and  vapor  baths,  friction,  etc. 
Anodynes  are  often  applied  locally  with  good  results.  Blisters  are 
occasionally  indicated.  As  anodj'nes  may  be  mentioned  liniments 
and  ointments  containing  salicylic  acid  or  sodium  salicylate  in  com- 
bination with  laudanum,  aconite,  or  chloral  hydrate.  Camphorated 
spirit,  soap  liniment,  and  essential  oils  also  afford  some  relief  when 
applied  locally.  Of  blisters,  those  containing  cantharides  are  most 
effective. 


Diseases  of  Cattle. 


PLATE  XXV. 


SURGICAL  OPERATIONS. 

#By  "William  Dickson  and  William  Herbert  Lowe,  D.  V.  S. 

[Revised  in  1904  by  William  Herbert  Lowe.] 

Surgery  is  both  a  science  and  an  art.  The  success  of  surgical 
operations  depends  upon  the  judgment,  skill,  and  dexterity,  as  well 
as  upon  the  knowledge,  of  the  operator.  The  same  fundamental 
principles  underlie  and  govern  animal  and  human  surgery,  although 
their  applications  have  a  wide  range  and  are  very  different  in  many 
essential  particulars.  We  must  not  lose  sight  of  the  fact  that  hygiene 
and  sanitation  are  essential  to  the  best  results  in  veterinary  as  well 
as  in  human  surgery. 

Asepsis  is  an  ideal  condition  which,  although  not  always  possible 
in  animal  surgery,  is  highly  important  in  connection  with  the  mechan- 
ical details  of  all  surgical  operations  in  proportion  to  the  nature  and 
seriousness  of  the  same.  Aseptic  surgery  may  be  said  to  be  such  as 
is  preserved  from  contamination  by  poisonous  materials,  whether 
such  poisons  be  applied  directly  to  it  or  be  generated  in  it  by  the 
action  of  germs  that  gain  access  to  it  and  find  within  it  the  conditions 
favorable  to  their  growth.  It  should  be  borne  in  mind  that  there  are 
three  ways  that  a  wound  may  be  kept  aseptic;  by  the  protection  it 
receives  from  the  first,  at  the  hands  of  the  surgeon,  from  the  access 
of  septic  agents;  by  the  power  of  living  tissue  to  resist  and  destroy 
septic  agents,  and  by  application  to  the  wound  of  substances  which 
destroy  them. 

Local  and  general  anesthesia  should  be  resorted  to  in  painful  and 
serious  surgical  operations,  as  operations  upon  all  living  creatures 
should  be  humanely  performed  and  all  unnecessary  pain  and  suffering 
avoided.  Anesthesia  is  necessary  where  absolute  immobility  of  the 
patient  is  essential,  and  where  entire  muscular  relaxation  is  indispen- 
sable. The  anesthetic  condition  is  also  favorable  for  the  reduction  of 
displaced  organs. 

285 


286  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

Large  animals  have  to  be  cast  and  secured  before  an  anesthetic  is 
administered.  For  complete  anesthesia  chloroform  is  generally  em- 
ployed; sometimes  ether  and  chloroform.  A  sponge  is  wet  with  the 
anesthetic  and  placed  in  a  nosebag  and  the  animal  allowed  to  inhale 
the  fumes.  The  amount  of  chloroform  required  to  produce  insensi- 
bility to  external  impressions  varies  much  in  different  cases  and  must 
be  regulated,  as  well  as  the  admixture  of  air,  by  a  competent  assistant. 

If  the  probability  of  the  success  of  an  operation  is  remote  and  the 
animal  is  in  a  healthy  physical  condition,  so  that  its  flesh  is  good  for 
human  food,  it  is  more  advisable  to  let  the  butcher  have  the  animal 
than  to  attempt  a  surgical  operation  that  offers  little  encouragement 
to  the  owner.  The  best  judgment  has  to  be  exercised  in  determining 
a  matter  of  this  kind,  for  no  animal  suffering  from  inflammation  or 
that  is  in  a  feverish  condition  is  fit  for  human  food. 

All  cases  of  major  operative  surgery  require  the  skill  and  dexterity 
of  the  experienced  veterinary  surgeon,  and  no  one  else  should  attempt 
such  an  operation,  for  unnecessary  suffering  must  be  prevented  as 
well  as  the  success  of  the  operation  attained.  Nevertheless,  the  more 
knowledge  and  understanding  an  owner  of  animals  has  of  surgical 
operations  and  manipulations,  the  better  for  all  concerned.  In  the 
first  place,  such  an  owner  will  appreciate  more  fully  the  skill  of  the 
qualified  veterinarian,  and,  in  the  second  place,  he  will  be  the  better 
prepared  and  equipped  to  render  assistance  to  his  suffering  dumb 
dependents  where  no  practitioner  is  accessible  and  in  cases  of  emer- 
gency. There  are,  moreover,  sundry  operations  upon  cattle,  some  of 
which  can  hardly  be  classed  as  surgical,  that  the  stockman  and  farmer 
should  be  able  to  perform  himself. 

In  the  performance  of  any  operation  upon  an  animal  of  the  size  and 
strength  of  the  bull  or  cow,  the  first  consideration  is  to  secure  the  ani- 
mal in  such  a  manner  as  to  preclude  the  possibility  of  its  injuring 
either  itself  or  those  taking  any  part  in  the  operation,  for  two  or  more 
are  invariably  necessary.  The  nature  and  time  likely  to  be  occupied 
by  an  operation  must,  of  course,  largely  determine  the  method  to  be 
adopted. 

The  majority  of  operations  with  which  the  present  chapter  is  con- 
cerned are  usually  performed  on  the  animal  in  a  standing  position. a 
To  secure  the  cow  in  this  position,  grasp  the  nose,  the  finger  and 
thumb  being  introduced  into  the  nostrils,  and  press  against  the  carti- 
lage which  makes  a  division  between  them.  If  she  has  horns,  grasp 
one  of  them  with  the  disengaged  hand.  If  this  is  insufficient  the  ani- 
mal should  be  secured  to  a  post,  the  side  of  a  building  or  put  in  a 
stanchion.  A  very  excellent  method  of  restraint  is  to  tie  a  long  rope 
in  a  slip  noose  over  the  horns,  pass  it  around  the  chest  just  behind 
the  fore  legs,  taking  a  half  hitch  on  itself,  taking  another  half  hitch 
in  front  of  the  hind  limbs,  passing  the  free  end  under  the  tail,  bring- 

a  A  bull  should  always  be  held  by  a  staff  attached  to  the  ring  in  his  nose. 


SURGICAL    OPERATIONS.  287 

ing  it  forward  and  making  it  fast  either  to  the  head  or  one  of  the 
hitches.  The  head  should  be  raised  to  the  level  of  the  back  before 
the  final  knot  is  tied,  so  as  to  render  it  too  serious  and  painful  a  mat- 
ter for  her  to  repeat  the  first  attempt  she  makes  to  lower  it.  Should 
the  nature  or  extent  of  the  operation  be  likely  to  take  up  a  consider- 
able length  of  time,  it  is  invariably  the  best  plan  to  throw  the  animal. 
In  the  case  of  the  ox  this  is  very  easily  done,  either  by  use  of  horse 
hobbles,  should  they  be  at  hand,  or  by  the  application  of  a  simple 
rope.  If  the  horse  hobbles  are  used,  they* should  be  fastened  on  the 
leg  just  above  the  fetlocks  (ankle  joints),  as  they  are  in  that  position 
less  liable  to  come  off  than  if  placed  around  the  pastern. 

Of  the  many  ways  of  applying  the  rope  for  this  purpose  we  will 
describe  two  only,  which  we  consider  the  best  and  simplest : 

First.  Take  along,  strong  rope  (one  which  has  been  used  a  few  times 
is  more  flexible),  double  it,  and  at  2  or  3  feet  from  the  doubled  end, 
according  to  the  size  of  the  animal,  make  a  knot  and  pass  the  collar 
thus  formed  over  the  animal's  head,  allowing  it  to  rest  on  what  would 
be  the  collar  place  in  a  horse.  Now  pass  the  ends  of  the  rope  between 
the  fore  legs,  carry  one  around  each  hind  leg  just  above  the  fetlock 
joint,  from  outside  in,  under  itself  once,  and  bring  the  free  ends  for- 
ward, passing  each  through  the  collar  loop  on  its  own  side  and  bring- 
ing the  slack  back  toward  and  beyond  the  hind  quarters.  (PL  XXVI, 
fig.  2. )  Two  or  three  stout  men  should  then  take  hold  of  each  rope  and 
at  a  given  signal  pull.  The  animal's  hind  legs  being  drawn  forward, 
the  balance  is  lost,  and  if  the  animal  does  not  fall  or  lie  down  he  can 
be  readily  pushed  over  on  his  side  and  secured  in  the  desired  position. 

Second.  The  three  half  hitches.  Take  a  rope  30  or  more  feet  long, 
make  a  slip  noose  at  the  end  and  pass  it  over  the  animal's  horns, 
leaving  the  knot  in  the  loop  between  the  horns;  then  pass  the  rope 
backward  along  the  neck  to  the  withers,  just  in  front  of  which  take  a 
half  hitch  on  it,  passing  it  along  the  back,  take  one  half  hitch  just 
behind  the  forelegs  and  a  second  in  front  of  the  hind  limbs  round  the 
flank.  (PI.  XXVI,  fig.  1.)  The  free  end  of  the  rope  is  taken  hold  of 
by  one  or  two  assistants  while  another  holds  the  animal's  head.  By 
pulling  firmly  on  the  rope,  or  inducing  the  animal  to  make  a  step  or 
two  forward  while  steady  traction  is  made  on  the  rope,  the  beast  will 
quietly  lie  down,  when  his  feet  can  be  secured  in  the  way  most  con- 
venient for  the  operator. 

There  are  numerous  other  methods,  involving  more  or  less  complete 
restraint,  which  may  be  equally  efficacious,  but  one  or  other  of  the 
ways  indicated  will  doubtless  be  found  to  meet  fully  all  ordinary  cases. 

RINGING  THE   BULL. 

This  is  usually  and  ought  always  to  be  done  before  the  calf  has 
attained  sufficient  weight  or  strength  to  make  his  restraint  a  matter 
of  serious  difficulty.     An  ordinary  halter  is  usually  all  that  is  required, 


288  DISEASES    OF   CATTLE. 

the  strap  being  secured  to  a  tree  or  post.  A  jointed  steel  or  copper 
ring  is  ordinarily  used.  Those  made  of  the  latter  metal  are  prefer- 
able. 

The  common  method  of  punching  a  round  piece  out  of  the  nasal 
septum  for  the  introduction  of  the  ring  is,  I  think,  open  to  objection, 
as  portions  of  the  fine  nervous  filaments  are  destroyed.  The  sensi- 
bility of  the  parts  is  thus  lessened  and  the  object  of  ringing  to  some 
extent  defeated.  The  insertion  of  the  ring  by  means  of  a  trocar  and 
canula  is  preferable,  as  th6  method  is  not  open  to  this  objection. 

For  some  years  we  have  used  a  little  instrument  which  can  be  made 
by  any  worker  in  metal,  consisting  of  a  steel  point  riveted  into  a  short 
canula  made  to  fit  on  one  end  of  the  ring  while  open.  (PL  XXVIII, 
fig.  11.)  When  attached  to  the  ring  it  is  easily  and  quickly  passed 
through  the  septum,  the  half  of  the  ring  following  as  a  matter  of 
course.  It  can  then  be  removed,  and  the  ends  of  the  ring  brought 
together  and  fastened  by  means  of  the  screw  for  that  purpose.  By 
this  means  any  animal  can  readily  be  ringed  by  anyone  in  less  time 
than  it  takes  to  describe  the  process ;  whereas,  by  any  other  method 
which  necessitates  first  puncturing  or  piercing  the  septum  and  subse- 
quently introducing  the  ring,  the  operation  is,  even  when  the  animal's 
struggles  do  not  complicate  matters,  necessarily  rendered  tedious  and 
uncertain  by  the  fact  that  the  openings  through  the  skin  and  cartilage 
are  not  in  apposition. 

DEHORNING. 

In  this  and  other  countries  for  some  years  past  controversies  have 
from  time  to  time  been  carried  on  not  only  as  to  the  advisability 
of  dehorning,  but  also  as  to  the  propriety  of  the  proceeding.  The 
advocates  of  wholesale  removal  of  horns  in  many  cases  exaggerate 
alike  the  necessity  and  the  advantages  accruing  from  the  practice ;  on 
the  other  hand,  their  opponents  are  backed  by  the  ultra  humanitarian 
who  stigmatizes  the  operation  as  barbarous,  or  worse.  In  some  coun- 
tries these  views  are  upheld  even  by  courts  of  law  whose  legal  acumen 
is  able  to  detect  in  the  procedure  grave  cruelty  to  animals. 

In  this  country  owners  are  left  to  decide  matters  of  this  sort  for 
themselves,  but  a  work  of  this  kind  would  hardly  be  complete  without 
some  expression  of  an  opinion  on  the  subject  which  might  be  helpful 
to  the  dubious  when  the  matter  comes  up  for  decision.  Justly,  then, 
does  the  operation  amount  to  cruelty?  We  answer  distinctly,  It  does 
not.  Cruelty  to  animals  is  defined  as  the  infliction  of  unnecessary 
pain.  Now,  the  operation  of  dehorning  causes  pain  certainly,  as  all 
surgical  operations  necessarily  do,  but  it  is  not.  by  any  means  more 
painful  than  many  other  operations  (notably  castration),  to  which  we 
regularly  subject  individual  animals  without  a  second  thought.  More- 
over, the  pain  is  transient  as  well  as  slight,  and,  as  a  matter  of  fact, 
pales  into  insignificance  before  the  severe  and  lasting  torture  inflicted 


SURGICAL    OPERATIONS.  289 

as  a  matter  of  everyday  occurrence  by  animals  upon  each  other  when 
left  to  wear  in  confinement  their  weapons  of  offense,  which,  although 
doubtless  of  utility  in  a  wild  state,  are,  in  a  state  of  domesticity,  a  men- 
ace to  their  companions  and  a  dangerous  incumbrance  to  themselves. 

The  matter  has  acquired  enhanced  importance  from  the  fact  that, 
owing  to  the  strenuous  efforts  made  by  the  United  States  Department 
of  Agriculture,  the  invidious  discrimination  which  barred  the  entrance 
to  Europe  of  American  stockers  has  been  removed,  and  our  cattle 
now  make  lengthened  journeys  by  land  and  sea.  The  removal  of 
their  horns  will,  then,  not  only  lessen  the  owner's  risk,  but  will  also 
add  materially  to  the  comfort  and  safety  of  the  animals  themselves. 

But  there  is  fortunately  within  the  reach  of  all  an  open  avenue  of 
escape  from  that  portion  of  the  operation  which  supplies  the  only 
cogent  argument  against  the  practice  under  discussion. 

The  owner  of  the  two  or  three  days  old  calf,  if  he  wishes  it  to  all 
intents  and  purposes  a  "  moolly,"  can  dehorn  it,  or,  more  correctly 
speaking,  prevent  horns  ever  developing,  by  means  of  a  chemical  prep- 
aration which  reduces  the  pain  to  a  minimum,  while  it  is  even  more 
effectual  than  either  the  saw  or  forceps.  There  are  several  chemical 
dehorners  advertised  in  the  open  market,  most  or  all  of  them  effective, 
but  the  cheapest  and  simplest  consists  of  a  stick  of  caustic  potash. 

The  operation  is  performed  as  follows,  and  is  uniformly  successful, 
if  performed  before  the  calf  is  three  days  old :  The  little  animal  is 
caught  and  gently  laid  over  on  its  side,  in  which  position  it  is  easily 
held  by  one  assistant  while  the  operator  clips  the  hair  off  the  trifling 
prominence  on  the  frontal  bone  which  marks  the  spot  on  the  upper- 
most side  of  the  head  where  the  horn  would  be  developed  if  not  inter- 
fered with.  He  then  takes  his  stick  of  potash,  dips  it  in  cold  water, 
and  carefully  rubs  it  over  the  part  just  clipped  for  the  space  of,  say, 
ten  seconds.  The  calf  is  now  turned  over,  the  corresponding  portion 
of  the  frontal  bone  on  the  other  side  clipped  and  thoroughly  rubbed 
with  the  moistened  potash  the  same  way  as  the  first.  By  this  time 
the  side  first  treated  is  dry  and  ready  for  a  second  application  of  the 
caustic,  which  should  conform  exactly  to  the  first.  Follow  the  same 
procedure  on  the  remaining  side,  where  the  matrix  of  the  embryo 
horn  has  been  located,  and,  if  the  caustic  has  been  properly  applied, 
no  horns  will  ever  make  their  appearance. 

For  animals  intended  to  be  kept  either  for  steers  or  dairy  cows, 
nothing  can  be  more  effectual,  but  it  were  well  to  discriminate  between 
these  and  the  head  of  the  herd,  the  bull,  and  for  this  reason:  We 
dehorn  our  cows  and  steers  chiefly  to  protect  them  from  each  other, 
whereas  our  main  object  in  dehorning  the  bull  is  to  protect  ourselves. 
For  this  reason  our  end  in  the  case  of  the  latter  is  more  effectually 
accomplished  if  we  leave  him  in  possession  of  his  horns  until  he  has 
learned  to  rely  upon  them  as  his  weapons  of  offense  and  defense  and 

61386—08 19 


290  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

then  deprive  hiin  of  his  armament.  If  we  employ  in  his  case  chem- 
ical dehorning  at  the  early  age  recommended  for  the  steer  and  cow, 
necessity  becomes  a  second  nature,  and  the  animal  intuitively  adopts 
the  catapult-like  tactics  of  the  "  moolly."  These,  although,  compara- 
tively speaking,  less  harmful  as  between  the  animals  themselves,  are 
equally  dangerous  when  directed  against  their  owner;  for  captious 
indeed  would  be  the  critic  who  discriminated  between  being  butted 
to  death  or  hooked  to  death. 

Instances  have  been  cited  to  prove  that  the  effects  of  the  deprivation 
of  his  horns  are  only  temporary  in  the  case  of  the  animal  that  has  once 
become  dangerous  or  unruly,  but  a  lengthened  and  varied  experience 
convinces  me  that  such  is  not  the  general  fact.  The  moral  effect  of 
throwing  the  animal  and  depriving  it  of  its  natural  weapons  is  both 
great  and  lasting,  and  with  proper  treatment  the  advantages  thus 
obtained  need  neither  be  lost  nor  lessened.  The  animal,  shorn  of  its 
weapons,  dreads  the  very  approach  of  man,  and  its  impulse  is  to  go 
from  him  instead  of  for  him.  Animals  have  more  retentive  memories 
than  they  are  generally  credited  with. 

In  performing  the  operation  the  precaution  of  the  greatest  impor- 
tance is  to  see  that  the  animal  is  secured  so  that  it  can  not  struggle 
enough  to  hurt  itself.  The  animal  may  be  thrown  by  any  of  the 
methods  already  indicated.  The  only  additional  accessories  for  the 
above  purpose  are  a  strong  halter  and  a  long  rope,  fastened  around  its 
girth  before  it  is  cast.  The  free  end  of  this  is  then  passed  through 
the  ring  on  the  halter  and  the  head  pulled  back  against  the  ribs.  A 
hitch  underneath  the  tail  should  bring  the  rope  forward  to  the  halter, 
where  it  may  be  fastened,  so  as  to  be  readily  loosed  when  the  first 
horn  lias  been  removed.  To  remove  the  second  horn  loose  the  head, 
turn  the  animal  over,  and  refasten  the  head  as  before. 

The  exponents  of  dehorning  have  attempted  to  envelop  the  opera- 
tion in  a  mist  of  a  technical  absurdities,  and  insist  on  the  necessity 
of  an  apparatus  as  intricate  as  a  self-binder  and  about  as  easy  to 
move  around  as  the  average  elevator.  But  the  above  method  will 
answer  all  practical  purposes.  The  only  instrument  needed  is  an 
ordinary  jointing  saw,  which  should  be  used  as  quietly  and  quickly 
as  possible. 

Animals  may  be  dehorned  any  time  except  in  fly  time,  or  when  the 
mercury  is  liable  to  drop  to  the  neighborhood  of  zero,  and  cold  water 
is  the  only  dressing  needed.  It  is  a  good  practice  to  deprive  the  ani- 
mal of  food  for  twelve  hours  before  operating. 

BLEEDING    (BLOOD-LETTING). 

Although  nowadays  this  operation  has  fortunately  become  less  fre- 
quent than  when  it  was  generally  considered  the  panacea  for  all  ills, 
there  are  beyond  doubt  some  cases  in  which  the  operation  is  admit- 
tedly the  quickest  and  surest  means  of  affording  relief. 


SURGICAL   OPERATIONS.  291 

In  cattle  the  operation  is  usually  performed  on  the  left  jugular  vein, 
which  is  large  and  is  easily  rendered  so  prominent  as  to  prevent  the 
possibility  of  mistake  by  tying  a  cord  around  the  neck  below  the 
place  where  the  incision  is  to  be  made.  (PI.  XXVII,  fig.  4.)  The 
rope  should  be  tied  in  a  slip  knot,  so  as  to  admit  of  its  being  easily 
undone,  or  a  rope  used  with  a  loop  at  one  end  and  a  series  of  good- 
sized  knots  at  the  other,  the  loop  and  knots  to  be  used  as  buttons  and 
button  holes.  The  proper  instrument  to  use  is  a  large-bladed  fleam. 
(PI.  XXVII,  fig.  3.)  After  the  animal  is  secured  the  operator  stands 
by  the  shoulder,  holds  the  fleam  in  his  left  hand,  the  blade  just  short 
of  touching  the  skin  and  parallel  to  the  direction  of  the  vein,  and  the 
stick  or  mallet  with  which  to  strike  it  in  his  right;  one  quick,  sharp 
blow  should  be  sufficient.  If  the  hair  is  long,  it  is  a  wise  precaution 
to  moisten  and  smooth  it  down. 

When  sufficient  blood  has  been  withdrawn  the  rope  is  removed  and 
the  orifice  closed  by  means  of  a  pin  inserted  through  the  lips  of  the 
incision  in  the  shin  only,  and  a  piece  of  fine  string  or  tow  wound  either 
over  or  under  it  in  the  shape  of  a  figure  8,  or  in  a  circle  between  the 
skin  and  the  pin  (PI.  XXVIII,  fig.  10),  the  point  of  which  should  be 
clipped  off.  To  prevent  the  animal  from  rubbing  the  part  and  tearing 
or  dislodging  the  pin,  it  is  advisable  to  tie  the  head  up  for  a  couple  of 
days,  providing  the  animal's  health  will  admit  of  it,  after  which  the 
pin  may  be  removed  and  the  wound  left  to  heal  in  the  usual  manner. 

Before  leaving  the  subject  it  may  be  well  to  add  that  as  the  good 
effects  derived  from  bleeding  depend  more  on  the  quickness  with 
which  the  blood  is  drawn  than  on  the  quantity  extracted,  it  is  of 
importance  that  a  liberal  opening  should  be  made  into  the  blood  vessel 
and  the  blood  allowed  to  flow  until  a  perceptible  impression  has  been 
made  on  the  pulse. 

SETONING. 

Setons  are  used  in  cattle  for  various  purposes,  of  which  perhaps  the 
most  common  is  as  a  preventive  in  anthrax  or  blackleg,  when  a  seton 
is  usually  inserted  in  the  dewlap.  This  is  not  done  to  afford  exit  to 
any  poisonous  discharge  from  the  system,  as  is  generally  supposed, 
but  to  cause  a  sufficient  amount  of  inflammation  to  increase  the 
coagulating  proparties  of  the  blood,  which  in  these  diseases  becomes 
altered  (as  described  elsewhere),  notably  losing  its  viscidity  and  in 
consequence  oozing  through  the  walls  of  the  blood  vessels.  For  this 
purpose  the  seton  should  be  deeply  inserted  and  should  be  dressed 
daily  with  turpentine  or  common  blister. 

The  ordinary  use  of  a  seton  is  for  a  different  object,  as,  for  instance, 
to  keep  up  constant  drainage  from  a  cavity  containing  matter,  or  to 
act  as  a  stimulant  or  counterirritant.  To  insert  a  seton,  the  place  of 
entrance  and  exit  having  been  decided  on,  with  the  finger  and  thumb 
make  a  small  fold  of  the  skin  transverse  to  the  direction  the  seton  is 


292  DISEASES    OF   CATTLE. 

to  be  inserted,  and  cut  it  through,  either  with  a  sharp  knife  or  a  pair 
of  scissors  (this  should  be  done  at  both  the  entrance  and  exit);  then 
with  a  steady  pressure  and  slight  lateral  movement  insert  the  setou 
by  means  of  a  seton  needle.  (PI.  XXVIII,  figs.  1  and  2.)  The  seton 
should  consist  of  a  piece  of  strong  tape,  varying  in  breadth  according 
to  circumstances,  and  should  be  kept  in  place  either  by  a  knot  on 
each  end  or  by  tying  the  ends  together. 

Setons  should  be  gently  moved  once  a  day  after  suppuration  is  set 
up,  and  they  should  not  be  allowed  to  remain  in  oyer  three  weeks,  or 
a  month  at  the  outside. 

TRACHEOTOMY. 

This  operation  consists  of  making  an  opening  in  the  trachea,  or 
windpipe.  It  is  indicated  whenever  there  is  an  obstruction  from  any 
cause  in  the  upper  part  of  the  respiratory  tract  which  threatens  the 
death  of  the  animal  by  asphyxia  (suffocation).  The  mode  of  pro- 
cedure is  as  follows:  Have  an  assistant  extend  the  animal's  head  as 
far  as  possible  to  make  the  trachea  tense  and  prominent;  make  a 
longitudinal  incision  about  2  to  2^  inches  long  through  the  skin  and 
deeper  tissues  and  trachea  at  the  most  prominent  part  of  the  trachea, 
which  is  about  the  middle  or  upper  third,  and  then  insert  the  tracheot- 
omy tube.  (PL  XXVII,  figs.  1  and  2.)  The  latter  should  be  removed 
once  or  twice  daily  and  cleansed,  and  the  wound  dressed  antisep- 
tically.  To  ascertain  when  it  is  time  to  discontinue  the  use  of  the 
tube  and  to  allow  the  wound  to  close,  the  hand  should  be  held  over 
the  opening,  which  will  necessitate  the  animal  to  use  its  natural  pas- 
sages in  breathing.  Observe  if  it  is  performed  in  a  natural  manner; 
and  if  so,  remove  the  tube  and  allow  the  wound  to  close.  This  is  the 
general  mode  of  procedure  where  the  surgeon  has  all  the  necessary 
instruments  and  a  moderate  amount  of  time  at  his  disposal.  Often 
it  has  to  be  performed  in  great  haste  without  the  proper  instruments 
and  under  great  disadvantages,  the  operator  having  to  quickly  cut 
down  and  open  the  trachea  and  spread  the  parts,  using  some  instru- 
ment improvised  by  him  at  the  time.  This  operation  only  gives  the 
animal  relief  in  breathing,  and  therefore  the  proper  remedial  treat- 
ment should  be  adopted  at  the  onset  of  the  attack  and  continued 
until  the  cause  (the  disease)  has  been  overcome. 

CHOKING. 

Choking,  or  the  lodging  of  foreign  bodies  in  the  gullet,  is  divided 
into  pharyngeal,  cervical,  and  thoracic,  according  to  location  of  the 
obstruction.  The  symptoms  in  general  are  uneasiness  on  the  part  of 
the  patient,  involuntary  movement  of  the  jaws,  grinding  of  the  teeth, 
a  profuse  escape  of  saliva,  and  tympanites  of  the  rumen.  If  the 
obstruction  is  in  the  pharynx,  the  mouth  speculum  should  be  intro- 
duced and  the  oiled  hand  and  arm  of  the  operator  inserted  and 


SURGICAL   OPERATIONS.  293 

an  effort  made  to  remove  the  obstruction.  Many  cases  of  choking 
may  be  relieved  by  giving  a  few  ounces  of  any  bland  oil  at  frequent 
intervals  and  pulling  the  gullet  on  the  stretch  by  forcible  extension  of 
the  neck.  If  this  should  be  unsuccessful  it  will  probably  be  necessary 
to  have  recourse  to  the  probang  (PI.  Ill,  fig.  2),  which  should  be  care- 
fully introduced  and  the  obstruction  slowly  pushed  downward  toward 
the  rumen,  care  being  taken  not  to  lacerate  the  coats  of  the  esophagus. 
An  operation  known  as  esophagotomy  may  be  performed  in  case  the 
above  efforts  have  failed.  I  will  briefly  describe  the  steps  to  be  taken 
in  such  an  emergency. 

ESOPHAGOTOMY. 

In  case  the  obstruction  is  in  the  cervical  portion  of  the  esophagus, 
the  best  procedure  is  to  cut  through  the  skin  and  subcutaneous  mus- 
cle of  the  neck,  onto,  but  not  into,  the  esophagus.  The  foreign  body 
may  then  be  pushed  upward  until  it  can  be  reached  and  removed 
through  the  mouth.  The  incision  should  be  long;  indeed,  it  may  be 
made  the  whole  length  of  the  neck  if  necessary,  as  it  is  practically 
but  a  subcutaneous  wound  and  heals  readily. 

PUNCTURING  THE   RUMEN. 

This  is  an  operation  that  when  indicated  has  to  be  performed  at  once 
or  the  animal  may  be  lost.  It  is  indicated  in  severe  cases  of  acute 
tympanites  in  cattle,  commonly  known  as  hoven,  which  is  due  to  the 
generation  of  gas  resulting  from  fermentation.  Recurrent  attacks  of 
hoven  are  usually  due  to  tubercular  infiltration  of  the  mediastinal  and 
bronchial  glands.  To  relieve  this  distention  an  ordinary  cattle  trocar 
and  canula  (PL  III,  figs.  5  a  and  5  b)  are  inserted  into  the  rumen,  the 
most  distended  portion  of  the  left  side  of  the  animal  being  the  part 
selected.  The  trocar  is  withdrawn  and  the  canula  left  in  until  the 
gas  has  fully  escaped. 

Puncturing  is  not  a  serious  operation  in  cattle,  and  in  cases  of  great 
distention  should  be  performed  without  hesitancy  or  delay.  Relief  is 
almost  instantaneous  in  many  cases.  Of  course,  the  proper  remedial 
agents  should  be  administered  to  arrest  further  fermentation.  (See 
"Tympanites,"  p.  26.) 

RUMENOTOMY. 

The  opening  of  the  paunch,  or  rumen,  in  cattle  and  the  removal  of 
a  part  or  the  whole  of  the  ingesta  through  said  opening  is  termed 
rumenotomy.  The  operation  should  be  performed  in  severe  cases  only, 
where  the  rumen  is  excessively  overloaded  and  distended.  The  ani- 
mal is  placed  with  its  right  side  against  a  wall  and  firmty  held  in  posi- 
tion by  strong  assistants.  The  incision  is  made  in  the  same  place  that 
the  trocar  is  inserted  for  puncturing  that  organ  in  cases  of  hoven. 
The  opening  is  increased  in  size  until  the  operator's  hand  can  be 


294  DISEASES    OP    CATTLE. 

inserted  into  the  rumen.  Before  any  of  the  contents  are  removed 
from  that  organ  a  linen  cloth  should  be  placed  from  the  outer  wound 
into  the  rumen  in  order  to  prevent  any  of  the  ingesta  from  getting 
into  the  abdominal  cavity.  After  removing  a  portion  of  the  contents 
of  the  rumen  some  practitioners  introduce  such  medicine  as  may  be 
indicated  before  closing  the  wound.  Clean  the  wound  and  close  the 
opening  in  the  rumen  with  uninterrupted  (PI.  XXVIII,  fig.  8)  car- 
bolized  catgut  sutures.  Next  close  the  external  wound,  consisting  of 
the  integument,  muscle,  and  peritoneum,  with  stout,  interrupted  (PI. 
XXVIII,  fig.  6)  metallic  sutures.  No  food  should  be  given  for  several 
hours  after  the  operation,  and  then  gruels  only.  (See  "Distention  of 
rumen  with  food,"  p.  27.) 

TREATMENT    OF   ABSCESSES. 

An  abscess  may  be  detected,  if  situated  externally,  by  heat,  pain, 
redness,  and  swelling  in  the  early  stages,  and,  if  further  developed, 
by  the  fluctuation  which  will  be  present.  When  any  of  these  symp- 
toms are  absent,  the  suppuration  should  be  encouraged  by  the  means 
of  hot  fomentations  and  poultices.  Care  must  be  taken  that  the 
abscess  is  not  opened  too  soon,  or  it  may  to  some  extent  cause  it  to 
scatter  and  the  escape  of  pus  will  be  lessened.  The  time  to  open 
an  abscess  is  just  before  it  is  ready  to  break,  and  should  be  done  with 
a  sharp  lance,  a  crucial  incision  sometimes  being  necessary.  The 
cavity  should  be  sj^riiiged  out  with  an  antiseptic  solution.  Care 
should  be  taken  not  to  allow  the  wound  to  close  too  rapidly,  and 
to  prevent  this  a  tent  of  lint  or  oakum  should  be  introduced. 

WOUNDS. 

It  is  probably  not  going  too  far  to  say  that  as  a  general  rule  wounds 
of  the  bovine  species,  unless  sufficiently  serious  to  endanger  the  ani- 
mal's life,  are  left  uncared  for.  The  poor  suffering  creatures  are  too 
often,  even  in  fly  time,  left  to  endure  untold  torture  from  wounds  not 
at  first  of  much  importance,  but  which,  from  the  constant  irritation 
caused  by  flies,  dirt,  etc.,  often  develop  into  hideous,  unhealthy 
sores,  which  can  not  fail,  even  when  the}T  do  heal,  to  leave  extensive 
and  lasting  blemishes  as  records  of  the  owner's  thriftlessness  and 
inhumanity. 

The  comparatively  low  market  value  of  all  but  the  full-blood  and 
pedigreed  animal  precludes  an  owner  (save  in  a  few  exceptional  cases, 
inspired  by  a  higher  than  ordinary  sense  of  humanity)  from  entertain- 
ing professional  assistance.  It  is  more  than  doubtful  whether  the  suf- 
fering creature  does  not  go  from  bad  to  worse  when  its  case  is  made 
over  to  the  tender  mercies  of  the  ignorant  local  cowleech,  to  whom 
"wolf  in  the  tail"  is  a  terrifying  living  presence  and  "hollow  horn"  a 
solid  fact,  and  whose  sole  claim  to  erudition  in  such  matters  consists 


SURGICAL    OPERATIONS.  295 

of  conceited  ability  to  manufacture  on  scientific  prescriptions  an  arti- 
ficial substitute  for  the  cud  supposed  to  be  "lost," 

There  is  yet  another  class  of  owners  who  entertain  a  blind  belief  in 
liniments  and  patent  nostrums,  many  of  which  are  not  only  an  unnec- 
essary expense,  but  may  by  their  very  action  retard  rather  than  expe- 
dite the  process  by  which  nature  repairs  the  injured  tissues,  tendons, 
and  bony  structure. 

It  should  always  be  borne  in  mind  that  although  some  applications 
are  stimulating,  and  therefore  serve  as  a  useful  ally  in  the  process  of 
restoration,  it  is,  after  all,  to  nature  we  must  look  to  renovate  the 
injured  parts,  and  all  that  the  most  skillful  can  do  is  to  aid  her  intel- 
ligently by  combating  those  conditions  which  are  calculated  to  inter- 
fere with  her  beneficent  endeavors.  All  that  the  most  suitable  appli- 
cations can  accomplish  in  the  case  of  wounds  is,  in  the  first  place,  to 
prevent  the  access  of  those  poisonous  germs  which  exist  in  the  sur- 
roundings of  the  animal,  such  as  the  soil  and  the  manure,  and,  in  the 
second  place,  when  the  process  of  repair  is  for  some  reason  temporarily 
inactive  or  altogether  arrested,  to  incite  that  curative  inflammation 
which  is  the  invariable  method  by  which  the  cure  is  effected. 

Some  owners  may  urge  that  it  has  always  been  their  practice  to  use 
some  shotgun  prescription  that  has  earned  for  itself  a  reputation, 
because  it  was  supposed  to  have  routed  a  rash  on  the  youngest  baby, 
and  proved  equally  efficacious  on  a  wire  cut  on  the  last-dropped  calf, 
without  even  pausing  to  think  that  either  case  might  have  done 
equalby  well  or  even  better  if  confided  unanointed  to  the  healing 
hands  of  Nature. 

For  the  purposes  of  the  present  work  wounds  may  be  divided  into 
three  classes:  (1)  Incised;  (2)  punctured;  (3)  lacerated  or  contused. 

Incised  wound. — This  is  one  with  clean-cut  edges,  and  may  be 
either  superficial  or  deep.  In  wounds  of  all  descriptions  there  is 
necessarily  more  or  less  bleeding,  and  this  is  especially  liable  to  be 
the  case  in  incised  wounds,  particularly  when  they  penetrate  to  a  con- 
siderable depth,  or  when  inflicted  on  a  part  where  arteries  of  any  size 
approach  the  surface.  To  arrest  the  hemorrhage  must,  therefore,  be 
the  first  consideration.  If  slight,  a  generous  use  of  cold  water  will  be 
all  that  is  necessary,  but  if  one  or  more  vessels  of  any  size  have  been 
wounded  or  entirely  severed,  they  should  be  taken  up  and  ligated. 
If  the  blood  flows  continuously  and  is  dark  in  color,  it  proceeds  from 
a  vein,  but  if  bright-colored  and  jerky  in  its  flow,  it  is  arterial. 

There  is  nothing  very  formidable  or  difficult  in  taking  up  an  artery. 
It  simply  means  tying  up  the  bleeding  vessel,  which  should  be  accom- 
plished as  follows:  To  discover  the  bleeding  artery  take  a  sponge,  dip 
it  in  cold  water,  and  by  gentle  pressure  on  the  wound  clear  it  of  the 
accumulated  blood.  The  jet  of  fresh  blood  reveals  the  end  of  the 
vessel,  which  is  readily  recognized  by  its  whitish  yellow,  or  buff,  color. 
It  should  be  seized  with  a  forceps  or  pincers  and  slightly  drawn  clear 


296  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

of  the  surrounding  tissues.  Now  take  the  thread  and  place  the  middle 
of  it  under  the  artery,  fetch  up  the  ends,  tie  one  simple  knot  tightly, 
pressing  down  the  thread  with  the  forefinger  so  as  not  to  include  the 
forceps,  then  a  second  one  over  it,  cut  off  the  ends,  and  the  tiling  is 
done.  The  bleeding  being  arrested,  the  operator  can  now  carefully 
clean  and  inspect  the  wound,  taking  care  to  remove  all  blood  and  for- 
eign matters  and  clip  the  hair  around  the  edges  before  proceeding  to 
stitch  it  up.  If  the  wound  is  superficial,  the  lips  may  be  brought 
together  by  a  series  of  independent  stitches  (PL  XXVIII,  fig.  6),  about 
three-fourths  of  an  inch  to  an  inch  apart.  The  stitches  should  not  be 
drawn  tightly;  it  is  sufficient  to  bring  the  edges  of  the  wound  in 
apposition. 

If  the  wound  is  deep  the  needle  should  be  introduced  perpendicularly 
at  as  great  a  distance  from  the  lip  of  the  wound  as  the  depth  it  is  to 
be  inserted,  so  as  to  give  the  thread  sufficient  hold.  All  the  stitches 
should  be  as  nearly  as  possible  at  equal  distances  from  the  border  of 
the  wound,  to  prevent  unequal  strain,  and  the  knots  should  be  made 
at  the  side,  not  over  the  wound.  (PI.  XXVIII,  fig.  6.)  When  the 
wound  is  large  and  deep,  care  should  be  taken  to  have  an  opening  in 
the  lowest  part  to  allow  for  the  escape  of  the  discharges. 

In  deep  wounds  which  run  crosswise  of  a  limb  or  muscle  it  will  often 
be  advisable  to  use  what  is  technically  known  as  the  "quilled  suture," 
which  is  most  readily  described  by  Plate  XXVII,  fig.  7.  To  accom- 
plish this  method  a  curved  needle  with  an  eye  in  the  point  and  a 
strong  double  thread  should  be  used.  The  needle  thus  threaded  is 
introduced  perpendicularly  at  least  an  inch  from  the  wound  on  one 
side,  carried  across  below  and  brought  out  the  same  distance  from 
the  border  of  the  cut  on  the  opposite  side,  the  thread  being  seized  and 
held  in  position  while  the  needle  is  withdrawn,  leaving  a  loop  of 
thread  protruding  on  one  side  and  two  loose  ends  on  the  other  side  of 
each  stitch.  When  a  sufficient  number  of  stitches  have  been  made, 
take  a  light  piece  of  wood  about  the  size  of  a  lead  pencil,  correspond- 
ing in  length  to  the  size  of  the  wound  or  slightly  longer,  and  insert  it 
through  each  of  the  loops,  drawing  up  the  free  ends  of  the  threads, 
which  should  in  turn  be  tied  securely  on  a  similar  piece  of  wood  on 
that  side. 

Punctured  wounds. — Owing  to  the  uncertainty  of  their  depth  and 
the  structures  they  may  involve,  punctured  wounds  are  by  far  the 
most  dangerous  and  difficult  to  treat.  Not  only  is  the  extent  of  the 
damage  hidden  from  view,  but  the  very  character  of  the  injury,  as  can 
be  readily  understood,  implies  at  least  the  possibility  of  deep-seated 
inflammation  and  consequent  discharge  of  pus  (matter),  which,  when 
formed,  is  kept  pent  up  until  it  has  accumulated  to  such  an  extent 
that  it  burrows  by  simple  gravity,  as  no  other  exit  is  possible.  In 
this  wa}'  foreign  matters,  such  as  a  broken  piece  of  the  stake  or  snag, 
or  whatever  caused  the  wound,  may  be  carried  to  an  indefinite  depth, 


SURGICAL    OPERATIONS.  297 

or  the  cavity  of  a  joint  may  be  invaded  and  very  serious,  if  not  fatal, 
consequences  supervene. 

The  danger  is  especially  marked  when  the  injury  is  inflicted  on 
parts  liable  to  frequent  and  extensive  motion,  but  all  cases  of  punc- 
tured wounds  should  receive  unusual  care,  as  no  judgment  can  be 
accurately  formed  from  the  external  appearance  of  the  wound.  While 
a  probe  can  ascertain  the  depth,  it  throws  but  little  light  on  the 
extent  or  exact  nature  of  the  internal  injury.  For  this  reason  all 
punctured  wounds  should  invariably  be  carefully  searched  by  means 
of  a  probe  or  some  substitute  devised  for  the  occasion,  such  as 
a  piece  of  wire  with  a  smooth  blunt  end,  or  a  piece  of  hard  wood 
shaped  for  the  purpose.  Stitching  is  not  admissible  in  the  case  of 
punctured  wounds. 

If  a  punctured  wound  is  not  very  deep,  and  when  the  bruising  and 
laceration  are  slight,  it  is  possible  for  healing  to  take  place  by  adhe- 
sion, and  this  should  always  be  encouraged,  as  the  process  of  repair 
by  this  method  is  far  superior  to  that  by  granulation,  which  will  be 
referred  to  later.  "With  this  object  in  view,  the  animal  should  be  kept 
as  quiet  as  possible.  A  dose  of  physic,  such  as  a  pound  of  Glauber's 
or  Epsom  salts,  should  be  administered,  and  warm  fomentations  or 
poultices,  when  this  is  practicable,  applied,  the  surface  of  the  wound 
being  dressed  twice  a  day  with  the  ordinary  white  lotion,  which  is 
made  as  follows: 

Acetate  of  lead ounce. .        1 

Sulphate  of  zinc drams .  _         6 

Water quart. .        1 

The  lead  and  zinc  should  be  put  in  a  quart  bottle  with  a  pint  of  rain 
water  and  well  shaken,  when  the  balance  of  the  water  may  be  added. 

In  wounds  of  this  description  the  process  of  repair  may  be  complicated 
by  the  appearance  of  exuberant  granulations,  popularly  known  as 
"proud  flesh"  or  "dead  flesh,"  but  really  an  overgrowth  of  new  tis- 
sue— granulation  tissue;  but  these  should  not  be  interfered  with 
unless  they  should  continue  after  the  acute  stage  of  inflammation  has 
been  subdued.  If,  after  this,  they  persist,  they  may  be  treated  with  a 
solution  of  sulphate  of  copper  (bluestone)  or  nitrate  of  silver  (lunar 
caustic)  and  water.  Irritation,  caused  by  an  overinterference  with 
the  process  of  repair,  and  injudicious  bandaging  are  potent  factors  in 
bringing  about  this  condition,  and  the  discontinuance  of  either  or  both 
will  often  leave  no  necessity  for  special  treatment. 

Contused  or  lacerated  wounds. — These  are  usually  caused  by 
a  blow  with  some  blunt  instrument,  by  the  breaking  of  the  flooring,  or 
when  an  animal  gets  one  of  its  limbs  through  or  over  the  partition 
between  the  stalls.  The  seriousness  depends  largely  on  the  depth  of 
the  injury,  and  treatment  should  be  directed  to  allaying  the  inflamma- 
tion and  preventing  the  consequent  tendency  to  sloughing.     To  this 


208  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

end  soothing  applications,  such  as  fomentations  and  poultices,  are 
plainly  indicated. 

Methods  of  healing. — Technically  these  may  be  divided  into  a 
number  of  distinct  processes,  but  practically  we  may  speak  of  them  as 
two  only,  namely,  by  primary  union,  or  adhesion,  and  by  granulation. 
As  suppuration  is  not  so  liable  to  occur  in  cattle  as  in  the  horse,  healing 
by  the  former  and  more  speedy  process  is  much  more  common  in  the 
first-named  species,  more  particularly  in  clean-cut  or  incised  wounds, 
provided  they  have  been  stitched  within  twelve  hours  from  the  time 
the  injury  which  caused  them  was  inflicted;  that  they  have  been  kept 
clean  and  that  the  patient  has  by  some  means  been  kept  fairly  still. 
This  latter  stipulation  is  probably  hardest  to  comply  with.  Quiet  is 
an  important  factor  in  the  process  of  repair  among  the  lower  animals 
as  well  as  their  masters,  and  the  rule  is  none  the  less  good  because, 
unfortunately,  it  is  more  frequently  honored  in  the  breach  than  in  the 
observance.  Healing  by  this  method  is  in  some  cases  extraordinarily 
quick,  union  between  the  divided  parts  having  been  known  to  take 
place  as  soon  as  twenty-four  hours  after  their  adjustment  by  the 
surgeon. 

The  second  method  of  healing,  namely,  by  granulation,  which  is, 
however,  the  manner  in  which  most  wounds  in  animals  heal,  takes  much 
longer  time.  In  punctured  wounds  of  any  depth  healing  necessarily 
takes  place  in  this  way  only,  and  the  treatment  should  be  directed 
largely  to  alleviating  pain  and  moderating  inflammation.  The  former 
can  be  accomplished  by  opium  applied  locally  in  the  form  of  the  diluted 
tincture,  or  given  internally  in  repeated  small  doses;  and  the  latter  by 
aconite  or  fluid  extract  of  gelsemium,  25  to  30  drops  of  either  of  which 
are  given  in  the  drinking  water  or  dropped  on  the  tongue  at  intervals, 
depending  on  the  severity  of  the  fever. 

After-treatment  and  dressing  of  wounds. — The  dressing  of 
wounds,  whether  they  have  been  attended  to  by  a  veterinarian  or  not, 
is  a  matter  which,  in  case  of  cattle,  invariably  devolves  upon  the 
owner  or  his  employees.  It  must  not,  however,  be  inferred  from  this 
that  the  matter  is  of  secondary  importance.  The  dressing  of  wounds 
is  one  of  the  most  important  branches  of  veterinary  surgery,  and  one 
of  the  most  constant  difficulties  that  the  practicing  veterinarian  has  to 
contend  with  lies  in  the  want  of  appreciation  on  the  part  of  owners  of 
the  great  importance  of  care  and  attention  in  the  after  treatment 
of  wounds.  It  is  for  this  reason  that  the  writers  are  averse  to  closing 
this  portion  of  their  task  without  pointedly  calling  attention  to  the 
fact  that  it  is  very  largely  to  skillful,  patient,  and  careful  dressing 
that  satisfactory  recovery  from  most  serious  accidents  is  due,  and  this 
unswerving  vigilance  and  solicitude  we  would  bespeak  not  only  for 
the  injured  parts,  but  for  the  general  care  of  the  animal  and  its 
surroundings. 

The  fiist  and  foremost  consideration  in   the  dressing  of  a  wound  is 


SURGICAL    OPERATIONS.  299 

the  observance  of  scrupulous  cleanliness.  The  most  subtle  medica- 
ments and  antiseptics  are  worse  than  wasted  if  dirt  claims  a  50  per 
cent  interest  in  the  business,  as  is  too  often  the  case  upon  the  farm 
where  the  care  of  an  animal  is  relegated  to  ignorant  and  thought- 
less hired  help.  Unless  an  animal  is  in  slings,  straw  and  other  foreign 
bodies  as  well  as  blood  and  necessary  discharges  usually  adhere  to  a 
wound  when  it  comes  to  be  dressed.  These  should  be  carefully  freed 
from  the  wound  by  means  of  a  sponge  dipped  in  a  2  per  cent  solution 
of  carbolic  acid.  The  sponge  should  not  be  brought  into  actual  con- 
tact, but  should  be  wrung  out  just  above  it,  the  water  being  allowed 
to  trickle  over  the  injured  part.  When  the  wound  and  the  parts 
surrounding  it  have  been  thoroughly  cleansed  it  may  be  dressed  either 
with  the  "white  lotion,"  the  formula  for  which  has  already  been 
given,  or  with  a  solution  of  chlorid  of  zinc,  1  ounce  to  a  quart  of 
pure  cold  water.  In  cold  weather  the  parts  may  bo  dressed  with  the 
following:  Oxid  of  zinc  ointment,  4  ounces;  compound  tincture  of 
benzoin,  2  drams;  mix  and  keep  the  box  covered. 

A  single  fold  of  ordinary  cotton  batting  gently  pressed  over  the 
ointment  will  cause  it  to  remain  adherent  to  the  wounded  part.  In 
superficial  excoriated  wounds  in  cattle  a  very  excellent  first  dressing 
(after  thoroughly  cleansing  the  wound)  consists  of  iodoform  (a  com- 
pound of  iodin  and  chloroform)  blown  on  to  the  wound  through  a 
quill  or  a  folded  piece  of  stiff  paper.  This  should  be  followed  by  a 
second  dressing  of  pulverized  aloes  applied  in  the  same  way,  which 
not  only  forms  an  artificial  scab,  but  possesses  the  additional  advan- 
tage of  keeping  off  flies. 

There  are  several  other  applications  which  are  efficacious,  such  as 
bichlorid  of  mercury,  1  part  to  800  of  water;  boracic  acid,  1  part  to 
20  parts  of  water;  carbolic  acid,  1  part  to  water  30  parts;  but  the  fore- 
going will  be  found  as  good  as  any. 

No  good  purpose  can  be  served  bj'  applying  to  health}^  wounds  irri- 
tating mixtures  of  oils  and  acids,  and  an  owner  may  safely  make  up 
his  mind  to  the  fact  that  whatever  mixture  he  may  use,  no  matter  how 
successful  it  may  have  been,  he  is  pretty  sure  to  have  a  neighbor  who 
will  want  to  know  the  reason  why  he  did  not  use  something  else. 
Whatever  antiseptic  is  used,  always  recollect  that  cleanliness,  rest, 
and  attention  constitute  50  per  cent  of  the  contest,  and  that  the  other 
half  may  safely  be  left  to  the  restoring  touch  of  Nature. 

Barbed-wire  cuts. — We  have  specified  these  simply  because  there 
exists  in  some  sections  of  the  country  a  fixed  idea  that  there  is  a 
specific  poison  in  barbed  wire,  causing  injuries  which  require  treat- 
ment differing  from  that  which  is  applicable  to  ordinary  wounds. 
Barbed-wire  cuts  differ  from  ordinary  wounds  only  in  the  parts  being 
often  lacerated  and  torn,  and  the  treatment  already  indicated  for 
wounds  of  that  description  is  applicable  to  them. 


300  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

CASTRATION. 

Castration  consists  of  the  removal  of  the  essential  organs  of  genera- 
tion. It  is  performed  upon  both  the  male  and  the  female.  In  the 
male  the  organs  removed  are  the  testicles  and  in  the  female  the  ovaries. 

Castration  in  the  male  is  performed  for  several  different  purposes. 
It  may  be  necessary,  as  is  the  case  in  certain  diseased  conditions  of 
the  testicles  and  in  strangulated  hernia,  but  the  usual  object  of  the 
operation  is  to  enhance  the  general  value  of  the  animal.  For  example, 
if  the  animal  is  intended  for  burden,  the  operation  will  better  fit  him 
for  his  work  by  so  modifying  his  temperament  and  physical  condition 
that  he  may  easily  be  controlled  by  his  master.  Again,  if  he  is  merely 
to  be  used  for  beef  purposes,  the  operation  will  improve  the  quality  of 
the  flesh. 

The  operation  upon  the  female  may  be  performed  on  account  of 
diseased  conditions,  but  we  may  say  that  the  chief  object  of  the 
operation  is  to  make  the  animal  one  of  more  profit  to  its  owner  by 
altering  the  lacteal  secretion  and  also  the  physical  condition.  Advo- 
cates of  this  operation  claim  that  a  spayed  cow  will  milk  under  favor- 
able conditions  for  a  number  of  years  continuously,  and  that  the  milk 
is  greatly  increased  in  richness.  Careful  tests,  however,  indicate  that 
the  value  of  this  operation  with  dairy  cows  has  been  exaggerated. 
When  the  cow  is  spayed  it  does  away  with  all  trouble  attending 
estrum,  or  heat,  gestation,  and  parturition  with  its  accidents  and  ail- 
ments. The  flesh  of  the  spayed  cow  is  more  tender  and  juicy  than 
that  of  the  entire  animal. 

The  operation  upon  the  male  may  be  either  the  uncovered  or  the  cov- 
ered. In  the  former  the  incision  is  made  down  to  the  testicle  proper, 
and  in  the  latter  the  cut  is  made  through  the  scrotum  or  the  outside 
covering  and  through  the  dartos,  or  the  next  coat,  care  being  taken  to 
cut  no  deeper  tissues  or  coats.  The  age  at  which  the  operation  is  per- 
formed varies,  but  usually  it  is  performed  between  the  second  and  third 
month.  If  done  in  early  life  there  is  less  danger  of  complications,  the 
organs  not  being  fully  developed  and  in  a  latent  condition.  There  are 
many  different  methods  of  operating,  the  principal  ones  of  which  we 
shall  mention.  In  the  uncovered  operation  a  good  free  incision  should 
be  made,  exposing  the  testicle  completely.  Now  it  may  be  removed  by 
simply  cutting  it  off.  The  only  danger  of  doing  this  is  that  hemor- 
rhage is  likely  to  follow.  To  obviate  this,  before  the  division  of 
the  spermatic  cord  it  should  be  twisted  several  times  in  the  follow- 
ing manner:  Take  hold  of  the  spermatic  cord  with  the  left  hand,  hav- 
ing the  cord  between  the  thumb  and  the  index  finger.  Now  twist  the 
free  portion  several  times  with  the  right  hand,  all  the  time  being  care- 
ful to  push  with  the  left  hand  toward  the  body  of  the  animal.  In  this 
way  the  danger  of  injury  to  the  cord  during  the  animal's  struggles 
will  be  overcome.     The  hemorrhage  will  be  none,  or  very  little,  if  it 


SURGICAL    OPERATIONS.  301 

has  been  done  properly.  This  is  the  most  simple  manner  of  torsion. 
There  are  forceps  and  other  instruments  made  to  perform  the  opera- 
tion in  this  manner.  Instead  of  practicing  torsion  in  any  of  its  ways 
to  prevent  hemorrhage,  a  ligature  may  be  applied  either  directly  to  the 
spermatic  artery  from  which  the  hemorrhage  comes,  or  to  the  entire 
cord.  Either  a  silk  or  a  catgut  ligature  may  be  used.  The  actual 
cautery  is  an  old  method,  but  we  shall  not  describe  it,  as  we  consider 
that  we  have  better  methods  now.  The  next  method  with  the  clamps, 
although  extensively  used  upon  the  horse,  is  not  practiced  to  any 
great  extent  upon  the  bovine  at  the  present  time.  It  is  a  very  old 
method,  and  is  considered  very  safe.  Clamps  are  used  in  the  covered 
and  uncovered  operations. 

But  more  simple  and  better  methods  are  now  known  for  the  castra- 
tion of  the  bull.  A  more  modern  method  is  by  the  ecraseur.  The  chain 
of  the  instrument  is  placed  around  the  spermatic  cord  and  tightened 
so  as  to  crush  the  tissues  and  thus  prevent  hemorrhage.  The  clamp 
and  ligature  are  the  methods  principally  employed  in  the  covered 
operation,  and  in  order  thoroughly  to  understand  this  procedure  it 
will  be  necessary  for  the  reader  to  have  at  least  a  crude  anatomical 
knowledge  of  the  parts.  The  former,  or  the  uncovered,  is  the  usual 
mode  of  operating,  except  in  certain  abnormal  conditions. 

The  operation  of  "mulling,"  or  crushing,  the  spermatic  cord  is  an 
unscientific  and  barbarous  procedure,  causing  unnecessary  pain  and 
suffering. 

The  above  methods  apply  only  to  the  animal  in  a  normal  condition. 
Before  operating  always  examine  and  be  sure  that  everything  is  as  it 
should  be.  If  otherwise,  a  special  operative  procedure  will  be  neces- 
sary. Whichever  mode  of  operation  be  adopted  from  a  practical  stand- 
point, the  principal  precautions  to  be  taken  in  order  to  attain  success 
are  as  follows :  First,  thorough  cleanliness  under  strict  aseptic  and 
antiseptic  precautions;  second,  a  free  and  boldly  made  incision;  third, 
the  avoidance  of  undue  pulling  or  tension  upon  the  spermatic  cord; 
fourth,  free  drainage,  which  can  be  maintained,  provided  the  original 
incision  has  been  properly  made. 

CASTRATION   OF   THE   FEMALE. 

Ovariotomy  (spaying).— The  operation  should  be  performed  when 
the  cow  is  in  her  prime  and  giving  her  greatest  flow  of  milk,  care  being 
taken  that  she  is  in  good  health  and  moderate  condition,  not  too  ple- 
thoric; or,  on  the  other  hand,  she  must  not  be  at  all  anemic,  and  also 
that  she  be  not  in  heat  or  pregnant.  This  operation  may  be  performed 
in  one  of  two  ways — namely,  by  the  flank  or  by  the  vagina, — each  opera- 
tion having  its  special  advantages.  In  the  flank  operation  the  animal 
may  be  operated  upon  either  while  standing  or  while  in  the  recumbent 
position.     If  standing,  she  should  be  placed  against  a  wall  or  a  parti- 


302  DISEASES    OP    CATTLE. 

tion,  and  her  head  held  by  a  strong  assistant.  The  legs  also  must  be 
secured  to  prevent  the  animal  from  kicking.  A  vertical  incision  should 
be  made  in  the  left  flank,  about  the  middle  of  the  upper  portion,  care 
being  taken  not  to  make  the  opening  too  far  down,  in  order  to  avoid 
the  division  of  the  circumflex  artery  which  traverses  that  region.  The 
operator  should  now  make  an  opening  through  the  peritoneum,  which 
is  best  done  with  the  fingers.  Next  introduce  the  hand  and  arm  into 
the  abdominal  cavity  and  direct  the  hand  backward  toward  the  pel- 
vis, searching  for  the  horns  of  the  uterus.  Follow  them  up  and  the 
ovaries  will  easily  be  found.  They  should  then  be  drawn  outward, 
and  may  be  removed  either  by  the  ecraseur  or  by  torsion.  Clos- 
ing and  suturing  the  wound  will  complete  the  operation.  An  adhesive 
plaster  bandage  can  be  beneficially  applied. 

The  operation  by  the  vagina  is  more  complicated  and  requires  spe- 
cial and  expensive  instruments.  The  mode  of  procedure  in  brief  is  as 
follows:  A  speculum  is  introduced  into  the  vagina  and  an  incision  is 
made  into  the  superior  wall  of  that  passage  about  2  inches  from  the 
neck  of  the  uterus,  cutting  from  beloAV  upward  and  from  before  back- 
ward. Make  an  incision  which  should  not  exceed  3£  inches  in  length. 
The  next  step  is  to  get  possession  of  the  ovaries.  They  are  situated 
in  a  fold  of  the  broad  ligament  and  should  be  drawn  carefully  into 
the  vagina  through  the  incision.  Now  take  the  long-handled  scissors 
specially  made  for  this  purpose,  with  which  the  thick  border  of  the 
broad  ligament  is  divided.  The  torsion  forceps  are  introduced  and 
applied  to  the  broad  ligament  above  the  ovary.  The  left  hand  is  then 
introduced  and  the  thumb  and  the  index  finger  grasp  hold  of  the 
broad  ligament  above  the  forceps.  Now  commence  with  the  right 
hand  to  apply  torsion  and  thus  remove  the  ovary.  The  other  ovary 
may  be  removed  in  the  same  manner. 

The  operation  of  castration  is  by  no  means  a  serious  one,  and  when 
properly  performed  there  is  little  danger  from  complications.  Although 
the  danger  is  trifling,  the  complications  which  may  arise  are  sometimes 
of  a  serious  nature.  Hemorrhage,  either  primary  or  secondary,  teta- 
nus, or  lockjaw,  abscesses,  hernia,  or  rupture,  gangrene,  and  peritonitis 
are  the  most  serious  complications  that  follow  castration.  Whichever 
complication  arises  will  require  its  own  special  treatment,  which  we 
will  not  go  into  here,  as  it  will  be  fully  dealt  with  under  another  head- 
ing. We  would  add,  however,  that,  generally  speaking,  the  animal, 
after  being  castrated,  should  either  be  regularly  exercised  or  be  allowed 
freedom  so  that  it  can  exercise  itself.  Drafts  of  cold  air  or  sudden 
changes  of  the  temperature  are  dangerous.  The  animal  should  be  fed 
moderately,  but  of  a  diet  easily  digestible. 

Other  surgical  operations,  not  described  in  this  chapter,  may  be 
found  in  other  parts  of  this  work  by  reference  to  the  index. 


Diseases  of  Cattle. 


PLATE  XXVI. 


Devices  for  Casting  Cattle. 


Diseases  of  Cattle. 


Plate  XXVil. 


Tracheotomy  and  venesection. 


Diseases  of  Cattle. 


Plate  XXVlll. 


Surgical  Instruments  and  sutures. 


SURGICAL  OPERATIONS. 

DESCRIPTION   OF   PLATES. 

Plate  XXVI: 

Fig.  1.  Reuff  's  method  of  throwing,  or  casting,  the  ox.  From  Fleming's  Oper- 
ative Veterinary  Surgery. 

Fig.  2.  Miles'  method  of  throwing,  or  casting,  the  ox.     From  Fleming's  Oper- 
ative Veterinary  Surgery. 
Plate  XXVII: 

Fig.  1  a  front  and  fig.  1  6  side  view  of  a  simple  tracheotomy  tube.  After 
Armatage,  from  Hill's  Bovine  Medicine  and  Surgery.  This  tube  is  inserted 
in  the  trachea,  or  windpipe,  in  cases  of  threatened  suffocation  from  obstruc- 
tions in  the  upper  portion  of  the  air  passage. 

Fig.  2  shows  the  tracheotomy  tube  applied  and  held  in  position  by  straps 
around  the  neck.  After  Armatage,  from  Hill's  Bovine  Medicine  and 
Surgery. 

Fig.  3  represents  an  ordinary  fleam  with  blades  of  different  sizes. 

Fig.  4.  Cow  prepared  for  bleeding.     A  cord  is  tied  firmly  about  the  lower 
portion  of  the  neck,  causing  the  jugular  vein  to  become  distended  with 
blood  and  swell  out. 
Plate  XXVIII: 

Figs.  1  and  2.  Seton  needles.  These  may  be  either  long  or  short,  straight  or 
curved,  according  to  the  locality  in  which  a  seton  is  to  be  inserted. 

Fig.  3.  Various  forms  of  surgical  needles. 

Fig.  4.  Suture  forceps  or  needle  holder,  for  passing  needles  through  thick  and 
dense  tissues. 

Fig.  5.  Knot  properly  tied. 

Figs.  6,  7.  8,  9,  10.  Various  forms  of  sutures.  Fig.  6,  interrupted  suture;  7, 
quilled  suture:  8,  uninterrupted  suture;  9,  twisted  suture,  made  by  passing 
sutui-e  pins  through  the  parts  to  be  held  together  and  winding  the  thread 
about  them  so  as  t )  represent  the  figure  8;  10,  single-pin  suture. 

Fig.  11.  Appliance  for  ringing  the  bull,  one-fourth  natural  size. 

Fig.  12.  Nose  clamp,  with  spring  and  keeper. 

303 


TUMORS   AFFECTING    CATTLE. 

By  John  R.  Mohler,  A.  M.,  V.  M.  D., 
Chief  of  Pathological  Division,  Bureau  of  Animal  Industry. 

[Synonyjris:  New  growth,  neoplasm,  neoformation,  pseudoplasin,  swelling,  and 
hyperplasia.] 

Definition. — Tumors a  are  abnormal  masses  of  tissue,  noninflamma- 
tory and  independent  in  character,  arising,  without  obvious  cause, 
from  cells  of  preexistent  tissue,  possessing  no  physiologic  function, 
and  characteristically  unrestrained  in  growth  and  structure. 

Tumors  are  abnormal  masses  of  tissue.  The  application  of  the 
term  "tumor"  is  directly  connected  with  the  fact  that  they  produce 
local  enlargement. 

They  are  noninflammatory;  that  is,  the  process  of  inflammation  is 
not  directly  the  cause  or  accompaniment  of  them.  An  inflammatory 
new  growth  tends  to  disappear  upon  the  subsidence  of  the  inflamma- 
tory process,  while  spontaneous  disappearance  of  a  tumor  is  compar- 
atively rare. 

Tumors  are  independent.  For  instance,  their  nutrition  bears  no 
relation  to  the  nutrition  of  the  body.  A  lipoma,  or  fatty  tumor,  in 
the  subcutaneous  tissue  may  go  on  increasing  to  huge  bulk  while  the 
body  is  steadily  emaciating.  Again,  the  tissues  of  the  aged  gradually 
undergo  atrophy,  yet  cancers  arise  at  this  time  and  grow  rapidly. 

Tumors  are  unrestrained  in  growth  and  structure.  In  the  develop- 
ment of  an  animal  we  know  at  what  period  of  its  existence  the  mass 
of  tissue  called  liver  will  develop — what  its  site,  structure,  and  size 
will  be.  We  know  that  it  will  remain  only  in  that  locality,  and  not, 
as  it  were,  colonize  throughout  the  system.  With  tumors  it  is  differ- 
ent; there  are  no  laws  by  which  we  can  forecast  the  time,  place, 
nature,  or  size  of  development  of  them.  There  is  no  cartilage  in  the 
kidney  or  parotid  gland,  yet  a  chondroma,  or  cartilage  tumor,  may 
develop  in  either.     Even  when  a  new  growth  of  tissue  is  started  by 

«  The  term  "  tumor  "  literally  means  a  swelling,  and  thus  has  been  applied  to 
the  prominence  caused  by  an  overdistended  bladder,  to  the  enlargement  of  preg- 
nancy, to  the  swelling  produced  by  an  abscess,  to  the  overgrowth  of  tissue  (hyper- 
plasia) associated  with  injury  and  consequent  inflammation,  and  to  numerous 
other  phases  of  tissue  enlargement  directly  connected  with  recognized  disease 
processes.  For  this  reason  it  is  becoming  more  common  for  scientists  to  apply 
the  word  '"neoplasm  "  to  the  new  growths  described  in  this  chapter.  Because  of 
the  still  popular  use  of  the  word  "  tumor,"  it  is  retained  in  this  chapter  for  the 
designation  of  those  new  growths  to  which  the  sevenfold  characterization  of  our 
descriptive  definition  applies. 
304 


TUMORS    AFFECTING    CATTLE.  305 

an  injury  and  consequent  inflammation — as,  for  instance,  proud  flesh — 
there  is  a  limitation  of  its  size.  But  the  controlling  influences  which 
govern  the  size  of  an  organ  or  normal  mass  of  tissue  and  limit  the 
extent  of  an  inflammatory  overgrowth  are  all  absent  in  the  case  of 
tumors.     They  are  unrestrained,  lawless. 

Metastasis  expresses  the  lawlessness  of  tumors  as  regards  being 
limited  to  the  original  site  of  development.  Small  particles  of  tumors 
enter  the  blood  vessels  or  lymph  streams  and  are  carried  to  distant 
parts  of  the  body,  where  they  lodge  and  start  new  tumor  formations. 
Expansion  by  colonization  in  this  manner  is  a  rule  with  many  tumors; 
and,  since  they  exercise  no  function  of  use  to  the  organism,  this  dis- 
semination of  actively  growing  particles  becomes  a  menace  to  the 
system  by  numerically  increasing  the  body's  burden,  opening  new 
channels  of  drain  upon  the  system,  and  adding  new  centers  for  the 
absorption  of  putrefactive  materials  when  the  secondary  tumors  shall 
have  degenerated.  It  is  this  which  makes  metastasis  such  an  impor- 
tant element  in  the  malignancy  of  tumors. 

Tumors  possess  no  physiological  function.  They  are  absolutely 
useless.  Fibrous  tumors  bind  no  parts  of  the  organism  together;  bony 
tumors  add  nothing  to  the  supporting  framework  of  the  body;  the 
tissue  of  fatty  tumors  never  serves  as  a  storehouse  of  food  and  energy; 
the  cells  of  an  adenoma,  or  gland  tumor,  furnish  no  secretion;  a 
tumor  composed  of  muscle  tissue  secures  no  increase  to  the  strength 
of  the  individual — its  muscle  cells  are  not  contractile. 

Tumors  arise  from  cells  of  preexistent  tissue.  Tumor  tissue  is  not 
a  new  variety  of  tissue.  Whatever  the  structure  of  a  tumor,  its 
counterpart  is  found  among  the  tissues  of  the  body,  the  lawlessness 
of  the  tumor,  however,  showing  itself  in  more  or  less  departure  from 
the  normal  type.  This  departure  is  usually  a  reversion  to  a  more 
elementary  or  embryonic  stage,  so  that  the  tumor  tissues  may  be  said 
to  be  structurally  immature. 

Tumors  arise  without  obvious  cause.  Concerning  the  ultimate 
cause  of  tumor  formation  we  are  absolutely  ignorant.  Various 
theories  have  been  advanced  from  time  to  time,  but  none  of  them 
have  been  applicable  to  more  than  a  limited  number  of  cases.  The 
most  important  theories  may  be  briefly  mentioned. 

(1)  The  theory  of  tumor  diathesis. — Bilroth  taught  that  tumors  are 
due  to  a  peculiar  predisposition  consisting  of  a  diseased  state  of  the 
fluids  of  the  body.  This  constitutional  taint  might  be  acquired,  but, 
having  been  acquired,  is  also  hereditary.  This  theory  is  known  also  as 
the  heredity  hypothesis ;  but,  while  it  is  true  that  heredity  appears  to 
pkiy  some  role  in  the  causation  of  certain  neoplasms,  its  application 
is  too  limited  to  make  it  of  value. 

(2)  The  mechanical  or  irritant  theory. — Virchow  assumed  that 
tumors  arise  as  the  result  of  previous  irritation  of  the  part.     This  has 

61386—08 20 


306  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

been  noticed  particularly  in  the  case  of  certain  cancers.  They  fre- 
quently develop  on  the  edges  of  old  ulcers,  thus  being  dependent 
apparently  on  chronic  irritation.  Cancer  of  the  lip  in  pipe  smokers 
is  a  case  in  point.  Cancerous  tumors  of  the  skin  often  develop  on 
the  arms  of  workers  in  paraffin,  tar,  and  soot,  the  chemical  irritation 
of  these  substances  being  the  cause.  On  the  contrary,  the  proportion 
of  those  thus  affected  among  the  exposed  is  very  small  and  forces  the 
conclusion  that  if  the  real  cause  were  in  the  irritation  vastly  more 
cases  would  occur. 

(3)  The  theory  of  nervous  influence. — This  is  based  upon  (a)  the 
observed  fact  that  tumors  occur  more  frequently  in  man  and  the 
higher  animals  than  in  those  lower  in  the  scale,  among  which  the 
nervous  system  is  less  highly  developed;  (6)  that  certain  formations 
seem  to  be  directly  connected  with  nerve  distribution,  while  others 
have  been  associated  with  alternations  in  neighboring  nerve  trunks. 

(4)  Tlie  embryonal  theory. — This  is  known  also  as  Cohnheim's 
hypothesis.  In  early  fetal  life  there  occurs  a  production  of  cells  in 
excess  of  what  is  required  for  the  construction  of  the  various  parts  of 
the  body,  so  that  a  certain  number  of  them  are  left  over  in  the  fully 
developed  tissue  or  become  misplaced  during  the  sorting  of  cells  for 
future  development  of  tissues  and  organs.  These  cells  lie  dormant 
until  favorable  conditions  arise  or  some  sufficient  stimulus  is  applied, 
when,  released  from  their  inactivity,  they  begin  to  reproduce  and 
grow.  Not  being  normally  related  to  their  site,  they  lack  the  control- 
ling and  limiting  influences  of  the  part,  and,  their  embryonic  character 
induing  them  with  a  most  potent  proliferating  power,  they  develop 
in  a  lawless  and  unrestrained  manner.  There  are  tumors  whose  exist- 
ence can  be  explained  only  on  these  grounds.  Still,  this  theory  falls 
far  short  of  answering  the  question  as  to  the  origin  of  tumors. 

(5)  The  parasitic  theory. — This  is  not  only  one  of  the  latest,  but, 
merely  as  a  hypothesis,  it  is  the  most  attractive  and  plausible  of  all. 
The  serious  objections  to  it,  however,  are  the  almost  uniform  failure 
that  has  met  the  attempts  to  transplant  these  tumors  from  one  animal  to 
another  and  the  absence  of  any  constant  variety  of  organism  in  them. 
Several  forms  of  parasites  have  been  found  in  certain  tumors,  but 
nothing  definite  has  been  shown  with  reference  to  the*  relation  they 
bear  to  the  causation  of  the  neoplasm. 

CLASSIFICATION. 

In  Senn's  work  on  tumors  occurs  the  following:  "A  uniform  system 
of  classification  of  tumors  is  one  of  the  great  wants  of  modern  pathol- 
ogy, and  all  attempts  in  this  direction  have  proved  failures."  It  would 
be  folly,  therefore,  to  burden  the  pages  of  a  work  of  this  kind  with 
one  or  several  of  the  proposed  systems  which  have,  admittedly,  at 
some  important  point,  failed  of  their  purpose.  Since  the  value  of 
this  chapter  depends  chiefly  upon  its  practical  character,  which  in 


TUMORS    AFFECTING    CATTLE.  307 

fcurn  is  measured  by  its  aid  in  diagnosis,  prognosis,  and  treatment, 
the  old  but  important  clinical  division  is  here  adopted. 

Tumors  are  either  malignant  or  benign.  The  essential  difference 
between  the  two  classes  is  that  while  benign  tumors  depend  for 

THEIR   ILL    EFFECTS    ENTIRELY    UPON    THEIR    SITUATION,    MALIGNANT 
NEOPLASMS    WHEREVER   LOCATED   INEVITABLY   DESTROY   LIFE.       The 

clinical  features  of  each  group  are  in  many  cases  sufficiently  marked 
to  distinguish  them. 

MALIGNANT   TUMORS. 

(1)  These  are  invariably  pernicious  and  from  the  beginning  tend 
to  destroy  life. 

(2)  The  cellular  element  predominates,  therefore  they  grow  rapidly. 

(3)  Possessing  no  capsule,  they  infiltrate  surrounding  tissues. 
(-4)  They  infect  adjacent  lymph  glands. 

(5)  They  recur  even  after  complete  removal. 

(6)  They  give  metastasis;  that  is,  they  become  disseminated  in 
different  organs. 

(7)  Their  presence  develops  a  progressive  emaciation. 

BENIGN   TUMORS. 

(1)  These  in  and  of  themselves  do  not  tend  to  produce  death. 

(2)  As  the  cellular  element  is  not  apt  to  predominate,  they  grow 
slowly. 

(3)  They  are  encapsulated,  and  when  diffuse  do  not  infiltrate  sur- 
rounding tissues. 

(4)  They  do  not  infect  adjacent  lymph  glands. 

(5)  They  do  not  recur  after  complete  removal. 

(6)  They  do  not  manifest  metastasis. 

Benign  tumors,  though  harmless,  may,  by  the  accident  of  their 
location,  indirectly  produce  death.  Mere  pressure  on  the  brain  sub- 
stance of  an  otherwise  innocent  tumor,  compression  of  the  blood  sup- 
ply for  vital  organs,  growth  in  such  manner  as  to  cause  obstruction 
in  the  alimentary  tract  or  pressure  upon  nerves,  may  cause  death,  or, 
prior  to  death,  so  combine  the  effects  of  anemia  (deficiency  of  blood), 
starvation,  and  pain,  with  its  consequent  restlessness,  as  to  produce  a 
veritable  cachexia. 

On  the  other  hand,  a  malignant  tumor  in  its  primary  growth  may 
so  implicate  a  vital  organ  as  to  destroy  life  before  metastasis  can 
occur  or  even  before  cachexia  can  develop.  Thus,  to  the  untrained 
observer,  environment  may  so  operate  as  to  cause  these  two  classes 
of  new  growths  to  simulate  each  other.  The  boundary  lines  may 
seem  to  overlap.  It  is  here  that  the  microscope,  as  the  court  of  last 
appeal,  adjudicates  positively  in  the  diagnosis  between  these  two 
clearly  marked  divisions. 

It  may  almost  be  asserted  that  a  true  classification  of  tumors  can 


308  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

not  be  made  until  we  know  more  about  the  cause  of  them.  The 
arrangement  here  presented  is  offered  to  meet  the  practical  needs  of 
the  veterinarian,  student,  and  farmer  rather  than  the  pathologist. 

"We  may  roughly  divide  the  tissues  of  the  body  into  structural  and 
lining  tissues.  The  structural  tissues  are  composed  of  the  tissues  of 
special  function  and  simple  connective  tissues.  The  lining  or  cover- 
ing tissues,  both  internal  and  external,  are  known  as  epithelium. 

Section  A  of  the  table  below  contains  the  true  tumors  or  proper 
neoplasms. 

Section  B  includes  the  cysts,  some  of  which  are  true  tumors,  while 
others  are  false  tumors,  but  the  latter  are  added  because  of  their  gross 
resemblance  to  the  true  tumors  and  the  consequent  necessity  of  con- 
sidering them  at  the  same  time. 

TUMORS   AND   CYSTS. 

A.  Tumors. 
Benign: 

I. — Tumors  composed  of  tissues  resembling  those  of  special  function. 

1.  Type  of  muscle  tissue Myoma. 

2.  Type  of  nerve  tissue Neuroma. 

3.  Type  of  vascular  tissue .Angioma. 

4.  Type  of  gland  tissue Adenoma. 

II. — Tumors  composed  of  f  idly  developed  connective  tissue. 

1.  Type  of  fibrous  tissue Fibroma. 

2.  Type  of  adipose,  or  fat,  tissue Lipoma. 

3.  Type  of  cartilage  tissue Chondroma. 

4.  Type  of  osseous,  or  bone,  tissue Osteoma. 

5.  Type  of  neuroglia,  or  nerve,  sheath Glioma. 

6.  Type  of  mucoid,  or  mucous,  tissue Myxoma. 

Malignant: 

III. — Tumors  composed  of  embryonic  or  immature  connective  tissues. 

1 .  Type  of  immature  connective  tissue Sarcoma. 

2.  Type  of  endothelial  tissue Endothelioma. 

IV. — Tumors  in  which  epithelial  elements  predominate. 

1.  Type  of  various  epithelial  cells  and  associated  tissues Carcinoma. 

B.  Cysts. 
I. — Cysts  rvhich  develop  in  preexisting  cavities. 

1 Retention  cysts. 

2 .  .Proliferation  cysts. 

II. — Cysts  which  are  of  congenital  origin  and  are  true  tumors. 
1 Dermoid  cysts. 


TUMORS  AFFECTING  CATTLE.  309 

HI. — Cysts  which  originate  independently  as  the  result  of  pathological  changes  and 

are  norttumorous. 

1 .  Cysts  formed  by  the  softening  and  disintegration  of  lesions Softening  cysts. 

2.  Cysts  formed  around  parasites Parasitic  cysts. 

3.  Cysts  formed  by  an  outpouring  of  blood  and  lymph  into  the  tissue  spaces  with 

subsequent  encapsulation  of  the  fluid Extravasation  cysts. 

Terminology. — The  principle  of  naming  tumors  is  quite  simple. 
The  Greek  word  "oma"  (plural  "omata")  means  tumor.  This  word 
"  oma"  is  added  to  the  stem  of  the  word  ordinarily  used  to  designate 
the  kind  of  tissue  of  which  the  tumor  is  composed.  Thus  a  tumor 
formed  after  the  type  of  fibrous  tissue  is  a  fibroma.  The  only  excep- 
tion to  this  is  in  the  naming  of  the  two  large  classes  of  malignant  neo- 
plasms. There  the  names  were  formed  from  the  flesh-like  appearance 
of  the  one  and  the  crab-like  proliferations  of  the  other — namely,  Sar- 
coma (sarks=flesh),  carcinoma  (karkinos=crab). 

Diagnosis. — In  the  diagnosis  of  tumors  note  is  taken  of  (1)  clinical 
history  and  (2)  examination  of  the  tumor. 

(1)  Clinical  history. — Circumstances  connected  with  the  origin  of 
the  tumor  and  its  rapidity  of  growth  may  point  to  an  inflammatory 
swelling  rather  than  a  tumor.  The  location  of  the  tumor  at  its  com- 
mencement is  important,  as,  for  instance,  in  diagnosing  between 
lipoma  and  carcinoma,  the  former  being  more  or  less  movable  under 
the  skin,  while  a  carcinoma  develops  in  the  skin.  While  tenderness 
on  pressure  may  be  caused  by  compression  of  a  sensitive  nerve  by  a 
tumor  or  by  tumors  of  the  nerve  or  nerve  sheaths,  as  a  rule  this 
symptom  is  indicative  of  inflammatory  swelling  rather  than  the  exist- 
ence of  a  tumor. 

(2)  Direct  examination  of  the  tumor. — In  the  application  of  this 
diagnosis  the  trained  observer  will  note  color,  size,  shape,  and  surface 
structure,  transmission  of  light,  movableness,  consistence,  resistance, 
pulsation,  and  crepitation.  Percussion,  auscultation,  and  exploration 
are  also  available  methods.  Finally,  miscroscopic  examination  of  the 
growing  portions  of  the  tumor  by  a  pathologist  will  be  found  most 
satisfactory. 

GENERAL   TREATMENT   OF   TUMORS. 

For  benign  tumors  treatment  is  required  only  when  it  damages  the 
animal's  value  or  when  merely  for  sake  of  appearance.  When  it  is 
possible,  the  removal  of  the  tumor  by  an  operation  is  indicated.  If 
the  tumor  has  a  small  constricted  base,  remove  by  tortion,  ligation,  or 
with  an  ecraseur.  Ligation  following  the  incision  of  the  skin  with  a 
knife  avoids  the  pain  of  pressing  on  the  sensitive  nerves  of  the  skin 
and  is  suitable  for  tumors  of  broad  base  and  small  bodies.  A  firing 
iron,  such  as  is  used  in  line  or  feather  firing,  may  also  be  used  in 
removing  tumors  with  small  attachments.  This  not  only  stops  the 
bleeding,  but  forms  a  firm  scab  under  which  healing  may  occur  rapidly. 


310  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

Those  tumors  that  can  not  be  removed  by  the  above  methods  may  be 
treated  with  caustics  or  acids,  such  as  sulphuric  acid,  hydrochloric 
acid,  caustic  potash,  arsenic,  silver  nitrate,  or  chromic  acid,  but  it  is 
difficult  to  limit  the  action  of  these  drugs.  The  injection  into  the 
tumor  of  certain  chemicals,  such  as  analine  dyes,  alcohol,  acetic  acid, 
citric  acid,  or  ergotine  is  of  doubtful  value,  as  is  also  the  injection  of 
the  germs  of  erysipelas — thought  by  some  to  be  a  specific.  Certain 
specific  tumors,  such  as  actinomycosis  and  botryomycosis,  may  be 
successfully  treated  by  the  internal  administration  of  potassium 
iodid,  together  with  the  injection  into  the  tumor  or  the  painting  of 
its  surface  with  Lugol's  solution  or  the  tincture  of  iodin.  The  most 
reliable  means  of  treating  tumors  is  by  extirpation  with  cutting  instru- 
ments. Dissect  the  tumor  from  the  surrounding  tissue,  ligating  all 
the  larger  blood  vessels,  and  tearing  the  tissues  with  the  fingers  rather 
than  cutting  with  a  knife.  The  bleeding  may  be  stopped  with  a  hot 
iron.  The  after-treatment  is  the  same  as  for  any  ordinary  wound  of 
similar  size. 

DESCRIPTION   OF   INDIVIDUAL  TUMORS. 

Although  a  full  list  of  the  tumors  that  may  be  found  in  bovines  has 
been  given  above,  there  are  a  number  that  warrant  a  detailed  descrip- 
tion, and  the  following  mention  will  be  made  of  the  most  important 
of  them : 

MYOMA. 

These  tumors  are  after  the  type  of  muscle.  They  are  sharply  cir- 
cumscribed, and,  as  a  rule,  are  very  hard,  a  condition  due  usually  to 
combination  with  fibroma,  and  are  then  known  as  fibromyoma.  In 
fact,  the  clinical  differentiation  between  myoma  and  fibroma  is  almost 
impossible.  Myomas  are  found  in  the  uterus,  vagina,  stomach,  intes- 
tines, gullet,  and  bladder  of  cattle.  They  grow  very  large,  but,  as  a 
rule,  are  benign.     Treatment  should  consist  of  their  removal. 

NEUROFIBROMA. 

A  true  neuroma  built  up  of  nerve  fibers  and  nerve  cells  is  infre- 
quent, if  it  ever  occurs,  in  cattle.  False  neuromas,  or  neurofibromas, 
are  knotty  spreading  tumors  of  the  size  of  a  large  potato,  which  are 
developed  within  the  nerve  sheaths  and  composed  of  nerve  fibers  and 
connective  tissue  bands  interlaced.  The  commingling  of  these  varied 
fibers  is  often  so  intricate  that  separation  is  practically  impossible. 
This  tumor  is  most  frequently  found  upon  the  shoulder  of  cattle. 
Treatment  is  surgical. 

ANGIOMA. 

The  angiomas  are  tumors  composed  mainly  of  blood  vessels  or  blood 
spaces,  and  are  observed  on  the  skin  of  man,  where  they  are  called 
"birthmarks"  or  "  mother  marks."     Cavernous  angiomas  are  seen  in 


TUMORS    AFFECTING    CATTLE.  311 

cattle,  affecting  the  liver  and  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  nasal  sep- 
tum. In  the  liver  they  appear  as  smooth,  flat,  nonprojecting  tumors 
of  a  dark-red  or  purple  color  and  of  about  the  size  of  a  silver  10-cent 
piece.  They  are  somewhat  softer  in  consistency  than  the  adjoining 
liver  substance,  into  which  they  are  gradually  fused.  These  tumors 
are  frequently  observed  by  meat  inspectors  in  livers  of  slaughtered 
cattle.     Treatment  of  angioma  is  unnecessary. 

ADENOMA. 

The  structure  of  this  tumor  is  after  the  type  of  gland  tissue.  It  is 
rarely  seen  in  cattle  except  in  combination  with  cancer  or  sarcoma. 
A  growth  which  occurs  more  frequently  in  bovines,  especially  calves, 
and  which  in  some  instances  bears  a  striking  resemblance  to  an  ade- 
noma, is  the  so-called  goiter. 

GOITER  (STRUMA). 

This  is  a  noninflammatory  enlargement  or  a  hyperplasia  of  the  thy- 
roid gland.  While  it  can  not  be  definitely  classed  among  tumors, 
yet,  owing  to  its  resemblance  to  the  latter,  it  will  be  discussed  at  this 
time.  The  cause  of  goiter  has  never  been  definitely  ascertained. 
Among  the  most  probable  causes  may  be  mentioned  heredity,  insuffi- 
cient and  improper  diet,  close  confinement,  unhygienic  surroundings, 
and  an  unknown  toxic  substance  which  is  supposed  to  obtain  in  those 
localities  rich  in  magnesium  and  lime  salts.  Certain  organisms  found 
in  goiter  have  been  suspected  of  producing  this  trouble,  but  their 
relation  to  the  disease  has  not  been  satisfactorily  proved.  A  goiter 
may  consist  of  (1)  simple  enlargement  of  the  follicles  which  are  filled 
with  albuminous  matter  (follicular  goiter);  (2)  an  increase  of  con- 
nective tissues  between  the  follicles,  causing  the  swelling  to  be  dense 
and  resistant  (fibrous  goiter) ;  (3)  a  great  increase  in  size  of  one  or 
more  follicles,  forming  a  cyst  (cystic  goiter) ;  (4)  great  dilatation  of 
the  blood  vessels  in  the  gland  accompanied  by  pulsation  with  each 
heart  beat  (vascular  goiter). 

Symptoms. — Goiter  may  be  observed  at  the  side  of  the  throat, 
reaching  the  size  of  a  fist  or  even  larger,  or  it  may  hang  down  below 
the  windpipe.  In  cattle  the  two  thyroid  glands  are  close  together,  and 
when  the  disease  affects  both  there  may  be  but  one  uniform  swelling 
placed  in  front  of  the  windpipe  below  the  angle  of  the  jaw.  This 
swelling  may  be  hard,  soft,  or  doughy  in  consistence,  and  it  may  pul- 
sate like  an  artery  with  each  beat  of  the  heart.  It  may  cause  labored 
breathing  by  pressure  on  the  windpipe,  and  death  may  result  from 
pressure  on  this  structure,  on  the  gullet,  or  on  the  adjoining  large 
vessels. 

Treatment. — In  young  animals  the  treatment  is  usually  satisfactory, 
and  consists  in  giving  the  animal  a  complete  change  of  food  and 
plenty  of  exercise  in  the  open  air.     If  the  condition  appears  enzootic 


312  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

in  the  district,  remove  the  animal  to  another  location  when  possible. 
Iodine  should  be  applied  to  the  swelling,  either  in  the  form  of  oint- 
ment or  the  tincture.  Injections  of  iodine  solution,  5  grains  of  iodine 
in  1  dram  of  25  per  cent  alcohol,  may  also  be  made  into  the  substance 
of  the  gland.  When  the  swelling  which  follows  this  injection  has 
subsided  it  may  be  repeated.  Potassium  iodid  should  be  given 
internally  in  1^-dram  doses  twice  daily  for  a  cow,  or  in  20-grain  doses 
twice  a  day  for  a  calf.  Extirpation  of  all  but  a  small  section  of  the 
swelling  may  be  accomplished  by  a  qualified  veterinarian  with  good 
results;  but  if  it  should  be  entirely  removed,  myxedema  and  death 
follow. 

FIBROMA. 

Fibromas  are  tumors  made  up  chiefly  of  connective  tissue  and  are 
usually  confined  to  the  skin  and  subcutaneous  tissue.  Indurative 
fibromas  of  the  skin  appear  as  tumors  of  gelatinous  connective  tissue 
or  as  firm  white  vascular  connective  tissue  growths,  which  are  more  or 
less  sharply  outlined,  move  readily  over  the  underlying  tissues  in 
company  with  the  skin,  and  owe  their  origin  to  mechanical  injuries, 
perforating  wounds,  repeated  abrasions,  or  the  invasion  of  pus  cocci 
or  botryomyces  into  the  tissues. 

These  tumors  in  cattle  are  frequently  found  upon  the  dewlap  as 
solid  lumps,  hard  as  stone  to  the  touch,  lying  loosely  between  the 
layers  of  skin,  and  gradually  losing  themselves  in  the  softer  tissues  of 
the  neck  above,  or  as  smooth,  hard  tumors  of  glistening  white  sub- 
stance with  interlacing  lines  of  softer  tissue.  They  may  also  be  found 
located  in  the  region  of  the  knee  or  at  the  elbow.  The  skin  over  the 
growths,  in  accordance  with  the  originating  cause,  will  be  found 
chafed,  covered  with  scabs,  or  even  ulcerated  and  accompanied  by 
collateral  edema. 

These  connective  tissue  tumors  grow  slowly,  but  reach  enormous 
size.  They  sometimes  follow  injuries  to  the  region  of  the  throat,  and 
form  there  as  hard,  firm  growths,  even  reaching  the  size  of  a  child's 
head. 

A  fibroma  located  upon  the  larynx  is  not  an  infrequent  occurrence 
in  the  ox.  These  tumors  are  always  sharply  outlined  and  have  a 
roughened  surface.  Thej^  may  be  differentiated  from  actinomycotic 
tumors  (see  chapter  on  "Infectious  diseases  of  cattle")  in  the  same 
location  by  their  firm  fibrous  structure  and  by  the  absence  of  pus 
from  the  interior. 

A  tumor  is  sometimes  met  upon  the  muzzle  of  cattle,  which  assumes 
a  diameter  equaling  the  width  of  the  muzzle.  It  is  a  voluminous  con- 
nective tissue  formation  known  by  the  name  of  "  fibroma  diffusum." 

Another  form  is  sometimes  observed  upon  the  tongue.  It  grows 
upon  a  broad,  spreading  base,  becoming  very  hard.  It  is  almost 
lacking  in  blood  vessels,  although  the  few  that  are  present  are  plainty 
in  view,  and  in  consequence  is  poorly  supplied  with  fluids.     It  is  of 


TUMOES    AFFECTING    CATTLE.  313 

a  smooth  contour,  white  or  whitish  yellow  in  color,  is  sharply  limited 
from  the  normal  substance  of  the  tongue,  may  be  covered  with  mucous 
membrane,  on  which  prominent  papilhe  are  located,  or  only  by  a  thin, 
delicate  layer  of  epithelium,  and  is  usually  found  in  the  middle  part 
of  the  tongue,  where  it  may  reach  the  size  of  two  fists. 

Pedunculate,  or  stemmed,  fibrous,  tumors  are  frequently  noticed 
growing  upon  or  near  the  extremity  of  the  tails  of  cows.  These  are 
apparently  of  traumatic  origin,  such  as  tying  the  tail  fast  while  milk- 
ing or  shaving  it  too  closely  while  trimming  the  animal  for  show  pur- 
poses, and  usually  contain  bloody  or  gelatinous  material  within,  or, 
again,  they  may  be  strongly  edematous  throughout. 

Treatment. — The  treatment  of  large  fibromas  is  surgical,  and  con- 
sists of  the  operative  removal  of  the  tumor,  followed  by  suturing  of 
the  wound.  Small  external  tumors  may  be  painted  with  zinc  chloride, 
chromic  acid,  or  a  concentrated  solution  of  bichloride  of  mercury. 

PAPILLOMA  (WART). 

When  fibromas  develop  from  the  lining  or  covering  tissues  they 
frequently  form  papillary  growths,  more  or  less  thickly  covered  with 
epithelium,  and  are  then  called  papillomas,  or  warts. 

Papillomas  consist  of  villous-like  projections,  resulting  from  a 
proliferation  of  the  outer  layer  (epithelium)  of  the  skin  or  mucous 
membrane.  These  growths  are  also  called  "angle  berries,"  and 
may  assume  a  variety  of  forms.  Sometimes  there  is  a  preponder- 
ance of  epidermis  in  the  formation,  and  the  tumor  then  appears 
as  a  hard,  dense,  insensititive,  club-like  growth,  or  wart.  Again 
the  swelling  is  chiefly  located  in  the  derm,  or  true  skin,  and  we 
have  what  is  known  as  a  flesh  wart  (verucca  carnea).  In  other 
cases  the  growth  of  papillar  bodies  projects  in  great  caulifiower-like 
tumors  with  deeply  furrowed  and  lobulated  surface,  over  which  a 
covering  of  epidermis  may  or  may  not  be  present.  These  are  usually 
much  softer  and  are  well  supplied  with  blood  vessels.  It  is  not 
uncommon  for  them  to  be  pedunculate  or  stemmed,  and  in  this  case 
considerable  rotary  motion  or  twisting  is  possible.  Their  color  is 
cloudy  gray  or  grayish  red,  with  white  bands  of  connective  tissue 
radiating  from  the  center.  Their  consistence  varies.  They  undergo 
upon  their  surfaces  and  within  their  clefts  and  fissures  retrogressive 
changes,  softening,  bleeding,  or  ulcerations. 

A  favorite  location  for  the  papilloma  in  cattle  is  the  udder  and 
teats,  where  they  may  develop  in  such  numbers  as  to  cover  completely 
the  entire  surface  and  make  the  animal  troublesome  to  milk.  The 
sides  of  the  head,  neck,  and  shoulder  also  afford  satisfactory  con- 
ditions for  their  growth,  and  are  frequently  seen  to  be  affected  by 
them. 

Treatment. — Warts  may  be  removed  with  the  scissors  or  twisted  off 
with  the  fingers  or  ligatured  by  means  of  a  rubber  band  or  horse  hair. 


314  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

Their  roots  should  then  be  cauterized  with  tincture  of  iron,  glacial 
acetic  acid,  or  lunar  caustic.  Acids  should  never  be  used  in  remov- 
ing warts  about  the  eyes  or  in  the  mouth.  Papillomas  of  the  eyelids 
sometimes  change  to  cancers  and  should  be  removed  by  taking  out  a 
wedge-shaped  section  of  the  eyelid.  Young  cattle  should  be  given 
arsenic  internally  in  the  form  of  Fowler's  solution,  1  table-spoonful 
twice  a  day  for  a  6-months-old  calf. 

POLYPS. 

These  are  usually  fibromas  or  myxomas,  occurring  on  the  mucous 
membrane  of  the  nasal  passages  or  genital  track.  They  grow  upon 
a  narrow  stem,  bleed  readily  when  injured,  and  often  contain  a 
center  of  thin,  limpid  fluid.  A  bloody  discharge  is  sometimes  seen 
coming  from  the  affected  nostril,  but  this  is  not  always  easy  of  detec- 
tion in  cattle,  owing  to  the  pliancy  of  their  tongues  and  to  their  habit 
of  licking  an  irritated  nostril.  Usually  these  tumors  grow  down- 
ward, and  may  project  from  the  nostril,  causing  snoring  sounds  and 
uneasy  breathing.  They  may  occasionally  force  themselves  backward 
into  the  throat,  where  they  interfere  seriously  with  respiration,  the 
patient  being  obliged  to  breathe  with  an  effort,  and  even  forced  to 
cough  in  order  to  dislodge  temporarily  the  obstruction  from  the 
laiynx.  Such  tumors,  when  located  near  the  nostril,  may  easily  be 
removed  by  the  use  of  forceps  or  a  loop  made  of  baling  wire.  Serious 
bleeding  is  not  liable  to  follow  their  removal,  but  an  astringent  wash, 
such  as  a  solution  of  the  perchlorid  of  iron,  if  applied  to  the  cut  sur- 
face will  be  found  very  beneficial.  In  case  the  tumor  is  not  within 
easy  reach,  the  services  of  a  qualified  veterinarian  should  be  obtained 
to  perform  the  necessary  operation. 

LIPOMA. 

This  is  a  tumor  consisting  chiefty  of  fat  cells.  The  growth  is  irreg- 
ularly rounded  and  distinctly  lobulated,  very  soft  and  almost  fluc- 
tuating. It  is  insensitive,  grows  slowly,  and  is  always  inclosed  in  a 
distinct  fibrous  capsule,  from  which  it  can  be  easily  shelled  out.  It 
may  become  very  large  and  often  hangs  pendulous  from  a  long  elastic 
pedicle.  In  cattle  this  tumor  may  be  found  in  the  subcutaneous  tis- 
sues, especially  of  the  back  and  shoulders,  uterus,  omentum,  and 
intestines,  and  in  the  latter  position  it  may  cause  strangulation,  or 
"gut  tie,"  by  winding  around  a  loop  of  the  intestine. 

'  Treatment — When  found  on  the  skin  the  tumor  may  be  readily 
removed  with  a  knife  or  by  a  ligature.  Caustics  and  the  cautery  pro- 
duce  wounds  that  heal  slowly  and  can  not  be  recommended  in  the 
treatment  of  this  tumor. 

CHRONDROMA. 

This  tumor  formation  is  composed  of  cartilage  cells.  It  is  a  rounded 
and  very  often  unevenly  nodular  and  sharply  described  tumor.     It  ia 


TUMORS    AFFECTING    CATTLE.  315 

very  hard,  dense,  elastic,  and  painless,  and  develops  principally  where 
we  find  normal  cartilage  cells.     It  is  rare  in  cattle,  but  has  been  found 
in  the  subcutaneous  tissues  and  nasal  cavities. 
Treatment.  — Extirpation . 

OSTEOMA    (BONY   TUMOR). 

Bones  may  occasionally  grow  in  such  a  profuse  and  irregular  man- 
ner that  the  product,  or  osteophyte,  assumes  the  character  of  a  tumor. 
The  bone  tissue  may  possess  either  spoug}7  or  compact  properties 
and  grow  either  from  the  periphery  of  the  bone  or  within  its  interior. 
These  tumors  most  frequently  appear  about  the  head  of  the  animal, 
either  upon  the  jawbones,  within  the  nasal  passages,  or  in  connection 
with  the  horns.  They  are  usually  of  bony  hardness,  painless,  benign, 
and  sharply  outlined. 

Treatment. — The  treatment  consists  in  either  removing  them  with 
a  saw,  chisel,  or  trephine,  or  preventing  their  further  development  by 
counterirritation  with  blisters  or  firing  iron. 

MYXOMA. 

Characteristic  myxomas  are  mucoid  tumors,  which  chiefly  originate 
from  the  mucous  membrane  and  are  especially  to  be  found  within  the 
nasal  passages  and  uterus  of  cattle.  They  can  reach  a  size  of  three 
fists,  are  smooth  or  velvet-like,  or  may  be  lobulated,  broad  at  the 
base,  and  consist  of  a  glassy  looking  mass  of  connective  tissue,  which 
usually  shows  a  distinctive  yellowish  color.  Being  homogeneous  and 
elastic,  the  moist,  jelly-like  tissue  composing  the  tumor  may  be  easily 
destroyed  or  crushed.  When  cut  through,  these  tumors  soon  collapse 
from  the  loss  of  their  fluids.  They  sometimes  inclose  elliptical  cavi- 
ties filled  with  slimy,  gelatinous  masses. 

Treatment.  — Extirpation. 

SARCOMA. 

This  is  a  malignant  tumor  after  the  type  of  embryonal  tissue,  and 
consists  of  several  varieties,  such  as  the  round  cell,  spindle  cell, 
giant  cell,  alveolar,  and  inelano  sarcoma.  They  grow  by  preference 
in  connective  tissue  and  are  quite  vascular.  Sarcomas  appear  either 
as  single  or  multiple  nodules,  varying  in  size  from  a  hempseed  to  a 
hazelnut,  or  else  as  a  moderate  number  of  tumors  of  the  size  of  hen 
eggs.  Their  surface,  at  first  smooth,  becomes  later  lumpy  and  tuber- 
ous from  internal  degeneration.  Secondary  nodules  may  appear  near 
the  primary  tumor.  The  outer  skin  is  not  involved  as  soon  as  in 
cancer,  nor  does  ulceration  follow  so  rapidly.  Sarcoma  is  about  the 
most  frequent  and  dangerous  tumor  that  is  found  in  cattle.  It  occurs 
in  young  animals,  and  is  found  on  the  serous  membranes,  in  the 
glandular  organs,  and  on  the  outer  skin,  especially  of  the  neck  and 
shoulders — in  fact,  in  nearly  every  tissue  and  in  almost  every  part  of 


316  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

0 

the  body.  This  tumor  is  often  found  in  places  exposed  to  trauma- 
tisms and  at  seats  of  scars,  or  of  irritations  from  pressure  and 
inflammation. 

Treatment. — Treatment  should  consist  in  early  and  complete  removal 
by  the  knife,  including  one-half  or  three-quarters  of  an  inch  of  the 
sound  tissue  adjoining  the  tumor.  If  there  is  a  possibility  that  sarco- 
matous tissue  still  remains,  either  cauterize  the  wound  with  a  hot 
iron  or  powder  the  walls  of  the  cavity  with  arsenious  acid. 

CANCER    (CARCINOMA). 

Cancers  are  tumors  of  epithelial  tissues  and  are  malignant.  There 
are  several  varieties  of  cancers,  such  as  hard,  soft,  and  colloid,  but 
only  those  growing  on  the  surface  will  be  mentioned  here.  These 
malignant  tumors  of  the  superficial  organs  develop  primarily  from 
the  epidermis  or  from  the  glands  of  the  skin.  They  appear  second- 
arily as  spreading  infections  from  milk  glands,  thyroids,  anal  glands, 
or  as  embolisms.  In  such  cases  their  sole  character  depends  wholly 
upon  the  kind  of  cancer  from  which  they  have  sprung.  The  infil- 
trating cancer  begins  as  an  elevation  of  the  skin,  which  progresses 
until  it  becomes  rough  and  nodular.  The  surface  later  becomes 
attacked  and  an  ulcer  results,  whose  edges  are  outlined  by  a  hard 
firm  zone. 

The  ulcerations  may  remain  limited  by  cicatricial  tissue,  but  it  is 
more  likely  that  the  infiltration  and  destruction  of  tissue  will  spread 
out  wider  and  deeper  until  a  rodent  ulcer  (so  called)  is  formed.  One 
of  the  most  frequent  sites  of  cancer  in  cattle  is  in  the  eye,  where 
they  are  called  fungus  nematodes,  but  they  also  occur  on  the  skin, 
on  fhe  genitals,  in  the  stomach,  and  within  the  organs. 

Fungus  hematodes. — This  starts  at  the  inner  corner  of  the  eje  as  a 
papillary  elevation  or  as  small-  nodules  which  become  fused.  They 
grow  larger  and  become  papillomatous,  with  superficial  ulcerations 
and  a  tendency  toward  hemorrhage.  In  some  cases  the  eye  is  dis- 
placed by  the  growing  tumor  or  is  attacked  by  the  cancer  cells  and 
entirely  destroyed. 

Cancerous  growths  upon  the  external  genitals  and  the  anus  usually 
present  a  rough,  irregular  surface  from  which  there  is  a  constant 
sloughing  of  decomposed  tissue  accompanied  by  a  penetrating,  disa- 
greeable odor. 

The  diagnosis  of  cancer  may  be  made  clinically  by  noting  the  simul- 
taneous infection  of  the  lymph  glands  which  surround  the  primary 
lesion.  Deeply  burrowing  and  infiltrating  forms  which  appear  as 
lumps  and  ulcerations  cause  marked  disfiguration  of  the  affected  part. 
The  surface  becomes  a  soft,  greasy  mass;  later  it  cracks  open  and 
from  the  fissures  blood-colored  pus  exudes,  being  continually  formed 
by  the  moist  degeneration  of  the  tissues  beneath.  At  first  the  general 
health  of  the  animal  does  not  appear  affected,  but  later  the  cancer 


TUMORS    AFFECTING    CATTLE.  317 

nodules  spread  to  important  organs  and  give  rise  to  marasmus  and 
progressive  emaciation.  Cancer  is  not  a  frequent  tumor  of  cows. 
Frohner  states  that  of  seventy-five  cases  of  tumors  which  came  under 
his  observation  in  cattle  two,  or  2.6  per  cent,  were  found  to  be  cancers, 
while  twenty,  or  26.6  per  cent,  were  sarcomas. 

Treatment. — Treatment  consists  in  the  early  and  complete  removal 
of  the  tumor,  taking  care  to  include  a  wide  border  of  healthy  tissue. 
This  has  been  most  successful  in  such  superficial  cancers  as  those  of 
the  eye,  penis,  anus,  testicle,  vulva,  and  sheath.  If  the  disease  has 
advanced  too  far,  this  treatment  may  not  prove  efficacious,  owing  to 
the  great  malignancy  of  the  cancer  and  its  tendency  to  recur.  In 
such  cases  the  animal  may  be  slaughtered,  but  the  flesh  should  be 
used  for  food  onty  after  inspection  by  a  competent  veterinarian. 

CYSTS. 

Cysts  may  be  true  or  false  tumors  and  consist  of  a  capsule  contain- 
ing a  fluid  or  semisolid  content.  Among  the  most  important  cysts, 
which  have  been  briefly  referred  to  in  a  previous  table,  the  following 
are  probably  the  most  noteworthy,  owing  to  the  frequency  with  which 
they  are  found  in  bovines: 

SOFTENING  CYSTS. 

Softening  cysts,  which  result  from  the  degenerative  liquefaction  of 
normal  or  diseased  tissues,  especially  of  tumors  of  different  kinds, 
followed  by  the  encapsulation  of  the  fluid. 

PARASITIC   CYSTS. 

Parasitic  or  foreign-body  cysts,  due  to  the  inflammatory  reaction 
induced  by  such  parasites  as  the  echinococcus  (hydatid  cyst)  or  by 
the  presence  of  various  kinds  of  foreign  bodies. 

EXTRAVASATION   CYSTS. 

Extravasation  cysts,  caused  b}r  injuries  which  rupture  blood  vessels, 
followed  by  an  increase  of  fibrous  tissue  which  forms  a  capsule  about 
the  fluid.  The  hygromata  in  front  of  the  knee  in  cattle,  so-called 
tumor  of  the  knee,  and  serous  cysts  belong  to  this  variety. 

Hygromata,  or  tumors  of  the  knee. — These  consist  in  the  simplest 
form  of  a  collection  of  serous  fluid  mixed  with  fibrin  within  a  dis- 
tended bursa.  The  walls  surrounding  the  fluid  become  firm,  smooth, 
and  dense. 

Outwardly  the  tumor  appears  fluctuating,  though  tense,  while  the 
skin  which  covers  it  may  be  normal,  denuded  of  hair,  or  covered  with 
hard  epidermal  scales,  possibly  half  an  inch  in  thickness,  forming  a 
hard,  horny  plate.  The  cavity  which  contains  the  fluid  may  have  the 
dimensions  of  a  hen's  egg,  an  apple,  or  a  child's  head.     Its  walls  are 


318  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

formed  by  the  diseased  secreting  membrane  of  the  bursal  sac,  and  are 
readily  detachable  from  the  subcutis  of  the  skin.  Their  internal  sur- 
faces are  often  uneven  or  supplied  with  projections  or  tufted  growths 
which  support  a  fibrous  network  within  the  tumor. 

Tumors  of  the  knee  may  also  assume  a  granular  type,  as  the  result 
of  chronic  inflammation  or  following  operative  or  spontaneous  evacua- 
tion of  pus  from  the  part.  They  are  either  firmly  connected  with  the 
skin  or  are  detachable  from  it,  and,  when  laid  open,  disclose  a  whitish 
red,  pork-like  tissue  surrounding  a  central  nucleus  of  pus,  or  a  fistu- 
lous tract  leading  to  the  outer  surface.  They  are  caused  by  the 
chronic  inflammation  which  follows  the  bruises  received  by  cattle  in 
lying  down  and  in  rising  or  they  may  be  due  to  falls  on  uneven,  hard 
ground. 

Treatment  for  hygromata. — When  the  swelling  first  appears  cold 
water  should  be  applied,  followed  later  by  bandaging  with  cloths 
wrung  out  of  warm  water.  If  the  swelling  is  soft,  it  should  be  punc- 
tured at  the  lowest  point,  and  afterwards  the  cavity  should  be  syringed 
with  Lugol's  solution.  If  the  tumor  is  hard  and  nonfluctuating,  a 
mercurial  blister  might  cause  absorption  and  at  the  same  time  pre- 
vent further  injury  to  the  part  by  making  it  more  painful,  thus 
sparing  it. 

Serous  cysts. — These  swellings  are  another  variety  of  extravasation 
cysts,  and  are  due  to  such  injuries  as  butting,  running  against  hard 
objects,  and  shipping  bruises,  which  are  followed  by  an  outpouring 
of  blood  and  lymph  into  the  tissue  spaces.  These  cysts  develop  rap- 
idly and  may  reach  the  size  of  a  man's  head  or  even  larger.  They  are 
soft,  edematous,  and  hot  at  first  and  contain  a  serous  or  blood- 
tinged  fluid.  Later  partially  organized  clots  and  shreds  of  a  fibrin- 
ous nature  and  of  a  gelatinous  consistence  are  formed  within,  and 
the  temperature  of  the  swelling  is  reduced.  They  appear  on  the  sur- 
face of  the  body,  especially  on  the  belly  and  flank  of  cattle. 

Treatment  of  serous  cysts. — Treatment  consists  in  opening  the  cyst 
at  the  most  dependent  point  with  a  sharp  knife.  The  cavity  should 
be  injected  out  twice  daily  with  a  5  per  cent  solution  of  carbolic  acid 
and  drainage  encouraged  by  keeping  the  incision  open. 

DERMOID   CYSTS. 

These  cysts  have  a  wall  which  is  almost  an  exact  duplicate  of  the 
structure  of  the  skin,  and  frequently  contain  epidermal  structures, 
such  as  hair  and  teeth,  which,  in  the  development  of  the  embryo,  have 
been  misplaced.  Thus  we  may  find  in  an  ovary  or  testicle  a  dermoid 
cyst,  containing  a  tooth  or  a  ball  of  hair.  Dental  cysts  are  included 
in  the  above  class. 

Dental  cysts. — It  occasionally  happens  that  the  teeth  of  cattle,  instead 
of  developing  normally  within  strong  supporting  alveolse,  remain 
inclosed  within  a  cystic  membrane,  which  assumes  a  tumor-like  charac- 


TUMORS    AFFECTING    CATTLE.  319 

ter.  One  tooth  may  be  included  alone  in  the  cyst  or  a  number  may  be 
inclosed  together.  However  this  may  be,  the  malformation  progresses, 
especially  if  confined  to  the  incisor  teeth,  until  the  remaining  teeth,  that 
began  to  develop  normally,  are  crowded  out  of  position  and  rendered 
useless.  The  tumor  may  reach  the  size  of  a  man's  fist.  It  appears 
to  be  fleshy  and  dents  upon  pressure,  but  it  may  also  appear  on  closer 
examination  as  though  it  contained  irregular  sections  of  thin  bone. 
The  outer  surface  is  always  smooth,  and  no  indication  of  purulence, 
softening,  or  scab  formation  is  ever  exhibited.  Upon  being  laid  open 
with  the  knife  the  tumor  is  seen  to  be  surrounded  by  a  firm,  smooth 
membrane  which  limits  it  completely  from  the  adjoining  tissues.  It  is 
filled  with  material  which  possesses  partly  edematous,  partly  fleshy, 
and  partly  bony  properties.  It  is  supposed  that  this  mass  is  composed 
of  rudiments  of  the  jawbone  or  of  the  alveolar  walls  which,  becoming 
spongy,  lose  themselves  in  the  soft,  fleshy  mass  contained  within  the 
capsule  of  the  tumor.  It  occasionally  happens  that  the  tumor  is  hol- 
low and  that  the  cavity  extends  back  into  the  body  of  the  lower  jaw 
for  a  considerable  distance. 

Tumors  of  this  kind,  being  of  congenital  origin,  are  very  naturally 
observed  most  frequently  in  young  cattle,  but  they  may  continue  to 
expand  for  a  period  of  several  months  after  the  birth  of  the  calf,  even 
until  they  become  troublesome  and  unsightly. 

Treatment  for  dental  cysts. — Treatment  consists  in  the  complete 
extirpation  of  the  cyst  and  the  destruction  of  the  lining  pouch  by 
curetting. 

RETENTION   CYSTS. 

Retention  cysts  arise  from  the  retention  of  normal  secretions,  due 
to  obstruction  of  a  duct  leading  from  a  gland.  The  mucous  cysts 
found  in  the  mouth,  udder,  and  vestibule  of  cows  are  samples  of  this 
form. 

Mucous  cysts. — Sac-like  dependent  tumors,  caused  by  retention  of 
the  secretions  from  the  mucous  glands,  sometimes  develop  in  the 
mouth,  nose,  pharynx,  and  vulva  of  cattle.  They  are  called  "mucous 
cysts."  These  are  of  sizes  varying  from  pease  to  pigeon  eggs,  are 
roundish  and  translucent,  and  surrounded  by  a  delicate  vascular  mem- 
brane. They  contain  a  sirup-like  substance  more  or  less  thick  and 
transparent  and  whitish  yellow  in  color. 

Treatment  for  mucous  cysts. — Treatment  consists  in  the  puncturing 
of  the  swelling,  if  accessible,  and  the  destruction  of  the  cyst  walls  by 
the  injection  of  Lugol's  solution. 

PROLIFERATION   CYSTS. 

These  are  found  especially  in  the  ovaries  of  cows,  called  "cystic 
ovaries,"  and  may  produce  nymphomania  (chronic  bulling). 

Treatment  for  proliferation  cysts. — The  treatment  indicated  in  this 
case  is  the  removal  of  the  diseased  ovaries. 


DISEASES  OF   THE   SKIN. 

By  M.  R.  Trumbower,  D.  V.  S. 

[Revised  in  1904  by  Leonard  Pearson,  B.  S.,  V.  M.  D.] 

The  skill  consists  of  two  parts — a  superficial  layer,  the  epidermis,  or 
cuticle;  and  the  deep,  or  true,  skin,  the  dermis,  cutis  vera,  or  corium. 

The  epidermis,  cuticle,  or  scarf  skin,  is  an  epithelial  structure,  form- 
ing a  protective  covering  to  the  corium.  It  varies  in  thickness,  is 
quite  insensible  and  nonvascular,  and  consists  of  a  sheet  of  cells. 

The  epidermis  is  divided  into  a  firm  and  transparent  superficial  and 
a  deep  soft  layer.  The  latter  is  the  rete  mucosum,  in  whose  cells  the 
pigment  exists  which  gives  color  to  the  skin.  The  deep  surface  of  the 
epidermis  is  accurately  molded  on  the  papillary  layer  of  the  true  skin, 
and,  when  removed  by  maceration,  presents  depressions  which  corre- 
spond to  the  elevations  on  the  dermis.  From  the  cuticle  tubular  pro- 
longations pass  into  the  sebaceous  and  sudorific  glands;  thus  the 
entire  surface  of  the  body  is  inclosed  by  the  cuti3le. 

The  dermis,  or  true  skin,  is  vascular  and  highly  sensitive,  contain- 
ing the  tactile  ends  of  the  nerves  of  touch.  It  is  covered  by  epi- 
dermis, and  attached  to  the  underlying  parts  by  a  layer  of  areolar 
tissue,  which  usually  contains  fat.  The  cutis  consists  of  fibro-areolar 
tissue  and  vessels  of  supply.  It  is  divided  into  two  layers,  the  deep 
or  true  corium  and  the  upper  or  papillary.  The  corium  consists  of 
strong  interlacing  fibrous  bands,  chiefly  white;  its  meshes  are  larger 
and  more  open  toward  the  attached  surface,  giving  lodgment  to  the 
sweat  glands  and  fat.  The  papillary,  or  superficial,  layer  is  formed  of 
a  series  of  small  conical  eminences  or  papilke,  which  are  highly  sen- 
sitive, and  consist  of  a  homogenous  transparent  tissue.  The  blood 
vessels  form  dense  capillary  plexuses  in  the  corium,  terminating  by 
loops  in  the  papilke.  The  papillary  nerves  run  in  a  waving  manner, 
usually  terminating  in  loops. 

Hair  is  an  appendage  of  the  skin  and  forms  its  external  covering. 
It  is  a  special  modification  of  epidermis,  having  the  same  essential 
structure.  It  consists  of  a  root,  shaft,  and  point.  The  root  has  a  bulb- 
ous extremity,  is  lighter  and  softer  than  the  stem,  and  lodged  in  a 
recess  or  hair  follicle,  which  may  either  be  in  the  corium  or  subcuta- 
neous areohe.  The  follicle  is  dilated  at  the  bottom  to  correspond  with 
the  root  bulb,  and  the  ducts  of  one  or  more  sebaceous  glands  open  into 
it.  At  the  bottom  of  each  follicle  is  a  conical  vascular  papilla,  similar 
in  every  respect  to  those  on  the  surface  of  the  dermis;  this  papilla  fits 
into  a  corresponding  depression  in  the  root  of  the  hair.  The  shaft  con- 
320 


DISEASES    OF    THE    SKIN.  321 

sists  of  a  center,  or  medulla,  a  surrounding  fibrous  portion,  and  an 
external  coating,  or  cortex.  The  medulla  consists  of  cells  containing 
pigment  or  fat,  is  opaque,  and  deeply  colored.  All  kinds  of  hair  do  not 
have  this  medulla.  The  fibrous  portion  occupies  the  bulk  of  the  stem, 
and  the  cortex  is  merely  a  single  layer  of  thin,  flat,  imbricated  scales. 

The  sebaceous  glands,  lodged  in  the  corium,  are  most  abundant  in 
parts  exposed  to  friction.  They  generally  open  into  the  hair  follicles, 
occasionally  on  the  surface  of  the  body.  Each  gland  consists  of  a 
small  duct,  which  terminates  in  a  lobulated  recess.  These  lobules 
vary,  and  are,  as  is  the  duct,  lined  with  epithelium.  They  are  filled 
with  sebaceous  matter  which,  as  it  is  secreted,  is  detached  into  the 
sacs.     They  are  very  plentiful  between  the  claws  of  cattle. 

The  sudorific  glands,  or  sweat  glands,  are  situated  in  the  subcuta- 
neous areolar  tissue,  surrounded  by  a  quantity  of  fat.  They  are  small, 
round,  reddish  bodies,  each  of  which  consists  of  one  or  more  fine  tubes 
coiled  into  a  ball,  the  free  end  of  the  tube  being  continued  up  through 
the  true  skin  and  cuticle,  and  opening  on  the  surface.  Each  sweat 
gland  is  supplied  with  a  cluster  of  capillary  blood  vessels  which  vary 
in  size,  being  very  large  when  perspiration  is  excessive.  The  contents 
of  the  smaller  ones  are  fluid,  and  of  the  larger,  semifluid. 

The  skin  may  be  regarded  as  an  organ  supplementary  in  its  action 
to  the  lungs  and  kidneys,  since  the  skin  by  its  secretion  is  capable 
of  removing  a  considerable  quantity  of  water  from  the  blood,  small 
amounts  of  carbon  dioxide,  and  small  amounts  of  salts,  and  in  certain 
instances  during  suppression  of  the  renal  secretions,  a  small  amount 
of  urea.  The  skin  is  also  the  chief  organ  for  the  regulation  of  animal 
heat,  by  or  through  conduction,  radiation,  and  evaporation  of  water, 
permitting  of  loss  of  heat,  while  it  also,  through  other  mechanisms,  is 
able  to  regulate  the  amount  of  heat  lost.  The  hair  furnishes  protec- 
tion against  extreme  and  sudden  variations  of  temperature  by  the 
fact  that  hairs  are  poor  conductors  of  heat,  and  inclose  between  them 
a  still  layer  of  air,  itself  a  nonconductor  of  heat.  The  hairs  are  also 
furnished  with  an  apparatus  by  which  the  loss  of  heat  may  be  regu- 
lated; thus,  in  cold  weather,  through  the  contraction  of  unstriped 
muscular  fibers  of  the  skin,  the  hairs  become  erect  and  the  external 
coat  becomes  thicker.  Cold,  too,  acts  as  a  stimulus  to  the  growth  of 
hair,  and  we  find,  in  consequence,  a  thicker  coat  in  winter  than  in 
summer.  The  hairs  also  furnish  protection  against  wet,  as  they  are 
always  more  or  less  oily  from  the  secretion  of  sebaceous  glands,  and 
thus  shed  water.  The  hairs,  through  their  elasticity,  furnish  mechani- 
cal protection,  and  through  the  thickness  of  the  coat,  to  a  certain 
degree,  resist  the  attacks  of  insects.  Finally;  the  hairs  assist  the 
sense  of  touch. 

The  sweat  glands  are  constantly  discharging  a  watery  secretion  in 
the  form  of  insensible  perspiration,  and  by  their  influence  act  as 
61386—08 21 


322  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

regulators  of  the  temperature  of  the  body.  Hence,  in  warm  weather, 
the  secretion  of  the  skin  is  increased,  which  tends  to  prevent  the 
overheating  of  the  body.  Sweating,  in  addition  to  regulating  heat,  is 
also  an  active  agent  in  removing  effete  material  from  the  blood;  there- 
fore this  secretion  can  not  be  checked  without  danger  to  the  animal. 
If  the  skin  be  covered  with  an  impermeable  coating  of  grease  or  tar, 
death  results  from  blood  poisoning,  due  to  the  retention  of  materials 
destined  to  be  excreted  by  the  skin. 

The  total  amount  of  secretion  poured  out  by  the  skin  is  not  only 
modified  by  the  condition  of  the  atmosphere,  but  also  by  the  char- 
acter and  quantity  of  the  food,  by  the  amount  of  exercise,  and  espe- 
cially by  the  quantity  of  fluid  taken. 

The  sebaceous  secretion  is  intended  to  lubricate  the  skin  and  hairs. 
It  consists  of  soft,  fatty  material  suspended  in  water,  and  is  charac- 
terized by  a  special  odor  peculiar  to  the  animal  by  which  it  is  secreted. 

I  will  not  attempt  to  classify  the  various  diseases  of  the  skin,  for  in 
a  work  of  this  kind  it  would  serve  only  to  confuse  the  reader. 

We  shall  first  consider  a  class  of  diseases  which  are  of  an  inflamma- 
tory type;  next,  those  due  to  faulty  secretion  and  abnormal  growth; 
then,  diseases  of  parasitic  origin ;  and,  lastly,  local  injuries  of  the  skin. 

PRURITIS    (ITCHING). 

We  shall  consider  pruritis  first  as  a  distinct  subject.  It  is  not  a  dis- 
ease, only  a  sensation,  and  therefore  a  symptom.  It  is  one  of  the 
symptoms  accompanying  the  majority  of  the  diseases  which  we  will 
consider  in  this  chapter.  It  is,  then,  a  functional  affection  produced 
by  slight  irritation  from  without  or  by  an  internal  cause  acting 
upon  the  sensory  nerves  of  the  skin.  Nothing  characteristic  is  seen 
except  the  secondary  lesions,  produced  mechanically  by  scratching  or 
rubbing. 

There  are  various  forms  of  itching,  the  result  of  specific  skin  dis- 
eases, where  the  pruritis  is  a  secondary  symptom.  In  such  cases  it 
should  not  be  regarded  as  an  independent  affection. 

Causes. — Many  causes  may  induce  the  condition  which  we  recog- 
nize here  as  pruritis.  The  most  common  one  is  dirt  on  the  skin, 
resulting  from  insufficient  care.  If  the  ceiling  of  the  stable  is  open, 
so  that  dust  and  straw  may  fall  down,  the  skin  is  irritated  and  pru- 
ritis results.     It  also  occurs  in  some  forms  of  indigestion. 

The  parts  of  the  body  most  exposed  to  this  condition  are  the  croup, 
the  back,  the  top  of  the  neck,  and  the  root  of  the  tail. 

Another  cause  is  found  in  affections  of  the  liver  and  of  the  kidneys, 
when  an  increase  of  effete  material  has  to  be  thrown  off  by  the  skin. 
Morbid  materials  circulating  in  the  blood  may  produce  a  tickling  or 
smarting  sensation  of  the  skin  in  their  passage  from  the  blood  to  the 
free  surface  of  the  skin.  Certain  irritating  substances  when  eaten  may 
be  excreted  by  the  skin,  and  coming  thus  in  direct  contact  with  the 


DISEASES    OF    THE    SKTN.  323 

sensory  nerves  produce  itching,  or  may  go  further  and  cause  dis- 
tinct inflammation  of  the  skin.  In  another  class  of  cases  the  pruritis 
may  be  due  to  an  atrophy,  contraction,  or  hardening  of  the  skin,  when 
the  nerves  become  irritated  by  the  pressure.  These  conditions  may  be 
so  slightly  marked  in  a  thick  skin  like  that  of  the  ox  that  they  can  not 
be  recognized.  It  is  frequently  noticed  that  cattle  will  rub  themselves 
as  soon  as  they  pass  from  the  stable  into  the  open  air— changing  from 
a  warm  to  a  cold  atmosphere.  Again,  we  may  find  an  animal  which 
does  all  its  rubbing  in  the  stall.  We  may  look  for  lice,  but  fail  to  find 
them.  These  conditions  are  generally  attributable  to  high  feeding  and 
to  too  close  confinement.  They  may  be  associated  with  inflammatory 
irritation  or  not;  certainly  we  fail  to  discover  any  morbid  changes  in 
the  skin.  There  is  to  some  extent  a  delightful  sensation  produced  by 
rubbing,  and  it  may  partly  become  a  habit  of  pleasure. 

Treatment — We  must  place  our  chief  reliance  upon  a  change  of  food, 
plenty  of  exercise,  and  in  most  cases  the  administration  of  an  active 
cathartic — 1  to  1\  pounds  of  Epsom  salts,  a  handful  of  common  salt,  a 
tablespoonful  of  ginger  or  pepper,  mixed  with  2  quarts  of  water,  all 
jof  which  is  to  be  given  at  one  dose.  Afterwards  half  an  ounce  of  hypo- 
sulphite of  soda  may  be  given  twice  a  day  for  a  week,  mixed  with  the 
feed.  For  an  external  application,  when  the  skin  is  abraded  or  thick- 
ened from  rubbing,  a  solution  of  borax,  4  ounces  to  the  quart  of  water, 
may  be  used.  Carbolic  acid,  \  ounce  to  a  quart  of  water,  will  give 
relief  in  some  cases. 

INFLAMMATORY   DISEASES   OF  THE    SKIN. 
ERYTHEMA. 

This  is  the  simplest  form  of  inflammation  of  the  skin.  It  consists  of 
an  increased  redness,  which  may  occur  in  patches  or  involve  consider- 
able surface.  The  red  coloration  disappears  when  pressed  upon  by 
the  finger,  but  soon  returns  after  the  pressure  is  removed.  There  is 
seldom  much  swelling  of  the  affected  part,  though  often  a  glutinous 
discharge  may  be  noticed,  which  dries  and  mats  the  hair  or  forms  a 
thin  scale  upon  the  skin.  In  simple  erythema  the  epidermis  alone  is 
affected;  when  it  becomes  chronic,  fissures  form,  which  extend  into 
the  corium,  or  true  skin. 

Causes. — Simple  erythema,  consisting  of  an  inflammatory  irrita- 
tion, is  witnessed  in  very  young  calves,  in  which  the  navel  leaks. 
The  discharge  being  urine,  it  causes  an  irritation  of  the  surrounding 
skin.  Chafing,  which  is  another  form  of  erythema,  is  occasionally 
seen  on  the  udder  of  cows  from  rubbiug  by  the  legs;  chafing  between 
the  legs  is  not  uncommon  among  fat  steers.  Chronic  erythema  is 
found  in  the  form  of  chapped  teats  of  cows  and  chapped  lips  in  suck- 
ing calves.  It  frequently  occurs  in  cows  when  they  are  turned  out 
in  winter  directly  after  milking,  and  in  others  from  chafing  by  the 


324  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

calf  in  sucking.  Some  cows  are  peculiarly  subject  to  sore  teats.  The 
fissures  when  neglected  in  the  early  stage  of  formation  become  deep, 
very  painful,  often  bleeding  at  the  slightest  touch,  and  cause  the 
animal  to  become  a  kicker  when  milked  in  that  condition.  Occasion- 
ally the  lower  portions  of  the  legs  become  irritated  and  chapped  when 
cattle  are  fed  in  a  muddy  or  wet  yard  in  winter,  or  if  they  are  com- 
pelled to  wade  through  water  in  frosty  weather.  Another  form  of 
erythema  occurs  in  young  cattle  highly  fed  and  closely  stabled  for  a 
long  winter.  The  erythema  appears  in  patches,  and  as  it  is  most 
common  near  the  end  of  the  winter  it  is  known  as  the  "spring  erup- 
tion" or  "spring  itch." 

Treatment. — In  ordinary  cases  of  erythema  the  removal  of  the  cause 
and  the  application  of  benzoated  oxide  of  zinc  ointment,  carbolized 
cosmoftne,  or  a  mixture  of  creolin,  1  ounce  to  a  pint  of  water,  applied 
a  few  times,  will  restore  the  skin  to  a  healthy  condition. 

When  there  are  fissures  the  zinc  ointment  is  the  best.  If  at  the 
teats,  a  milk  siphon  (PL  XXIV,  fig.  4)  should  be  used  instead  of 
milking  by  hand,  and  the  calf,  if  there  is  one  suckled,  should  be  taken 
away.  When  the  calf's  mouth  is  affected  it  should  be  fed  by  hand. 
When  the  legs  are  irritated  or  chapped,  dry  stabling  for  a  few  days 
and  the  application  of  tar  ointment  will  soon  heal  them. 

URTICARIA  (NETTLE   RASH,  OR  SURFEIT). 

This  is  a  mild  inflammatory  affection  of  the  skin,  characterized  by 
sudden  development  of  patches  of  various  sizes,  from  that  of  a  nickel 
to  one  as  large  as  the  hand.  The  patches  of  raised  skin  are  marked 
by  an  abrupt  border  and  are  irregular  in  form.  Ail  the  swelling  may 
disappear  in  a  few  hours,  or  it  may  go  away  in  one  place  and  reappear 
on  another  part  of  the  body.  It  is  always  accompanied  by  a  great 
desire  to  rub  the  affected  part.  In  its  simplest  type,  as  just  described, 
it  is  never  followed  by  any  serous  exudation  or  eruptions,  unless  the 
surface  of  the  skin  becomes  abraded  from  scratching  or  rubbing. 

Causes. — Derangements  of  the  digestive  organs  are  the  most  com- 
mon causes,  such  as  overloading  the  stomach  when  the  animal  is 
turned  out  to  graze  in  the  spring,  certain  constituents  of  food,  and 
high  feeding  among  fattening  stock.  When  the  kidneys  are  func- 
tionally deranged,  urticaria  may  appear.  Spinal  irritation  and  other 
nervous  affections  may  cause  it.  The  disease  consists  in  a  paralysis 
of  the  nerve  ends  that  control  the  volume  of  the  capillary  vessels  in 
certain  areas,  of  skin,  thus  permitting  the  vessels  to  expand,  their 
contents  in  part  to  exude,  and  thus  produce  a  soft,  circumscribed 
swelling. 

Treatment. — Administer  a  full  dose  of  Epsom  salts.  Give  soft,  easily 
digested  food,  and  wash  the  affected  parts  with  a  solution  of  bicar- 
bonate of  soda — common  baking  soda — 8  ounces  to  the  gallon  of  water 
twice  a  day,  or  diluted  glycerin  may  be  applied  to  the  skin.     If  it 


DISEASES    OF    THE    SKIN.  325 

assumes  a  persistent  tendency,  give  a  tablespoonful  of  the  following 
powder  in  the  feed  three  times  a  day:  Cream  of  tartar,  sulphur,  and 
nitrate  of  potash,  equal  parts  by  weight;  mix. 

ECZEMA. 

Eczema  is  a  noncontagious  inflammation  of  the  skin,  characterized 
by  any  or  all  of  the  results  of  inflammation  at  once  or  in  succession, 
such  as  erythema,  vesicles,  or  pustules,  accompanied  by  more  or  less 
infiltration  and  itching,  terminating  in  a  watery  discharge,  with  the 
formation  of  crusts  or  in  scaling  off.  The  disease  may  run  an  acute 
course  and  then  disappear,  or  it  may  become  chronic;  therefore,  two 
varieties  are  recognized,  vesicular,  or  pustular,  and  chronic  eczema. 

Causes. — Eczema  is  not  so  common  among  cattle  as  in  horses  and 
in  dogs,  in  which  it  is  the  most  common  of  all  skin  diseases.  Among 
cattle  it  is  occasionally  observed  under  systems  of  bad  hygiene,  filthi- 
ness,  lousiness,  overcrowding,  overfeeding,  excessively  damp  or  too 
warm  stables.  It  is  found  to  develop  now  and  then  in  cattle  that  are 
fed  upon  sour  substances,  distillery  swill,  house  or  garden  garbage, 
etc.  Localized  eczema  may  be  caused  by  irritant  substances  applied 
to  the  skin — turpentine,  ammonia,  the  essential  oils,  mustard,  Spanish 
fly  ointment,  etc.  Occasionally  an  eruption  with  vesiculation  of  the 
skin  has  been  induced  by  the  excessive  use  of  mercurial  preparations 
for  the  destruction  of  lice.  It  is  evident  that  eczema  may  arise  from 
local  irritation  to  the  skin  or  from  an  auto-intoxication.  Cattle  fed 
on  the  refuse  from  potato-starch  factories  develop  a  most  obstinate  and 
widespread  eczema,  beginning  on  the  legs. 

Symptoms. — In  accordance  with  the  variety  of  symptoms  during  the 
progress  of  the  disease  we  may  divide  it  into  different  stages  or  periods : 

(1)  Swelling  and  increased  heat  of  the  skin;  the  formation  of  vesicles, 
which  are  circumscribed,  rounded  elevations  of  the  epidermis,  varying 
in  size  from  a  pin  head  to  a  split  pea,  containing  a  clear,  watery  fluid; 

(2)  exudation  of  a  watery,  glutinous  fluid,  formation  of  crusts,  and 
sometimes  suppuration,  or  the  formation  of  vesicles  containing  pus 
(pustules);  (3)  scaling  off  (desquamation),  with  redness,  and  thicken- 
ing of  the  skin.  From  the  very  beginning  of  the  disease  the  animal 
will  commence  to  rub  the  affected  parts;  hence  the  various  stages  may 
not  always  be  easily  recognized,  as  the  rubbing  will  produce  more  or 
less  abrasion,  thus  leaving  the  skin  raw — sometimes  bleeding.  Neither 
do  these  symptoms  always  occur  in  regular  succession,  for  in  some 
cases  the  exudation  will  be  most  prominent,  being  very  profuse,  and 
serve  to  spread  the  disorder  over  a  large  surface.  In  other  cases  the 
formation  of  incrustations,  or  rawness  of  the  skin,  will  be  the  most 
striking  feature.  The  disease  may  be  limited  to  certain  small  areas, 
or  it  may  be  diffused  over  the  greater  part  of  the  body;  the  vesicles, 
or  pustules,  may  be  scattered  in  small  clusters,  or  a  large  number  run 
together.    The  chronic  form  is  really  only  a  prolongation  of  the  disease, 


326  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

successive  crops  of  pustules  appearing  on  various  portions  of  the  body, 
frequently  invading  fresh  sections  of  the  skin,  while  the  older  surfaces 
form  scabs,  or  crusts,  upon  the  raw,  indurated  skin. 

In  old  standing  cases  the  skin  will  break,  forming  fissures,  especially 
on  portions  of  the  body  that  bend — the  neck  and  limbs.  Thus  the  dis- 
ease may  be  prolonged  indefinitely.  When  eczema  reaches  its  latest 
period,  either  acute  or  chronic,  desquamation  of  the  affected  parts 
is  the  most  prominent  feature.  The  formation  and  shedding  of  these 
successive  crops  of  scales  constitute  the  character  of  the  disease  fre- 
quently denominated  psoriasis: 

Treatment. — The  treatment  of  eczema  is  often  anything  but  a  pleas- 
ant task.  There  is  no  one  method  of  treatment  which  will  always 
prove  successful,  no  matter  how  early  it  is  begun  or  how  small  an 
area  is  involved.  We  must  endeavor  to  remove  the  cause  by  giving 
attention  to  the  general  health  of  the  animal  and  to  its  environment. 
Feeding  should  be  moderate  in  quantity  and  not  too  stimulating  in 
character— green  feed,  bran  mashes,  ground  oats,  clean  hay,  plenty 
of  salt.  If  the  animal  has  been  fed  too  high,  give  an  active  purga- 
tive— Epsom  salts  preferred — once  a  week,  if  necessary,  and  half  an 
ounce  of  acetate  or  nitrate  of  potash  may  be  given  in  the  feed  twice  a 
day.  If  the  animal  is  in  poor  condition  and  debilitated,  give  a  table- 
spoonful  of  the  following  mixture  in  feed  twice  a  day :  Powdered  cop- 
peras, gentian,  sulphur,  and  sassafras  bark,  equal  parts  by  weight. 
If  the  animal  is  lousy,  the  parasite  must  be  destroyed  before  the 
eczema  can  be  cured.  The  external  treatmeDt  must  vary  with  the 
character  of  the  lesions;  no  irritating  application  is  to  be  made  while 
the  disease  is  in  its  acute  vesicular,  or  pustular,  stage,  and,  in  the 
chronic  stage,  active  stimulants  must  be  used.  Much  washing  is 
harmful,  yet  crusts  and  scales  must  be  removed  in  order  to  obtain 
satisfactory  results  from  the  external  applications.  Both  objects, 
however,  can  be  attained  by  judiciously  combining  the  curative 
agents  with  such  substances  as  will  at  the  same  time  cleanse  the 
parts. 

In  the  vesicular  stage,  when  the  skin  is  feverish  and  the  epidermis 
peeling  off,  exposing  the  exuding  dermis,  an  application  of  boracic  acid 
solution,  2  drams  of  the  acid  to  8  ounces  of  water,  will  often  relieve 
the  smarting  or  itching,  and  also  serve  to  check  the  exudation  and 
dry  the  surface.  If  this  fails  to  have  the  desired  effect,  use  creolin, 
1  ounce  to  a  quart  of  water,  as  a  wash.  Either  of  these  washes  may 
be  used  several  times  a  day  until  incrustation  is  well  established. 
Theii  use  creolin,  1  ounce  to  a  pint  of  sweet  oil,  or  the  benzoated  oxid 
of  zinc  ointment,  giving  the  affected  surfaces  a  thorough  application 
once  a  day.  When  the  eczema  is  not  the  result  of  an  external  irri- 
tant, it  takes  usually  from  one  to  two  weeks  before  the  healing  is 
completed. 

In  chronic  eczema,  where  there  is  a  succession  of  scabs,  or  scales, 


DISEASES    OF   THE    SKIN.  327 

indolent  sores  or  fissures,  the  white  precipitate  ointment,  nitrate  of 
mercury  ointment,  or  blue  ointment,  mixed  with  equal  parts  of  cos- 
moline  or  fresh  lard,  inay  be  applied  every  second  day,  taking  care  to 
protect  the  parts  so  anointed  that  the  animal  can  not  lick  it  off. 

In  some  cases  the  use  of  the  following  mixture  will  do  well :  Oil  of 
tar  one-half  ounce,  glycerin  1  ounce,  alcohol  1  pint.  Rub  this  in 
after  cleansing  the  parts  with  warm  water  and  soap.  The  internal 
administration  of  arsenic  often  yields  excellent  results  in  chronic 
eczema.  Take  1  dram  of  arsenic,  1  dram  of  carbonate  of  potash,  1 
pint  of  boiling  water,  and  give  1  ounce  of  this  twice  a  day  in  water, 
after  feeding.  An  alkali  internally  may  be  of  service.  As  such,  one 
may  give  2  ounces  of  bicarbonate  of  soda  twice  daily.  Sublimed  sul- 
phur may  also  be  tried  in  ounce  doses  twice  daily. 

PUSTULES  (IMPETIGO). 

Impetigo  is  an  inflammatory  disease  of  the  skin,  characterized  by 
the  formation  of  distinct  pustules,  about  the  size  of  a  pea  or  a  bean, 
unattended  by  itching.  The  pustules  develop  from  the  papular  layer 
of  the  skin,  and  contain  a  yellowish  white  pus.  After  reaching 
maturity  they  remain  stationary  for  a  few  days,  then  they  disappear 
by  absorption  and  dry  up  into  crusts.  Later  the  crusts  drop  off,  leav- 
ing upon  the  skin  a  red  spot  which  soon  disappears.  Occasionally  the 
crusts  remain  firmly  adherent  for  a  long  time,  or  they  may  be  raised 
and  loosened  by  the  formation  of  matter  underneath.  The  dry  crusts 
usually  have  a  brown  or  black  appearance. 

Causes. — Impetigo  affects  sucking  calves,  in  which  the  disease 
appears  upon  the  lips,  nostrils,  and  face.  It  is  attributed  to  some 
irritant  substance  contained  in  the  mother's  milk.  Impetigo  is  also 
witnessed  among  grazing  animals,  regardless  of  age,  and  it  especially 
attacks  animals  with  white  hair  and  skin.  The  mouth,  face,  and 
limbs  become  covered  with  pustules,  which  may  rupture  in  a  few 
hours,  followed  by  rapid  and  successive  incrustations;  the  scabs  fre- 
quently coalesce,  covering  a  large  surface;  pus  may  form  under  them, 
and  the  whole  thickness  of  the  skin  become  involved  in  the  morbid 
process.  This  form  of  the  disease  is  attributed  to  the  local  irritant 
properties  of  plants  growing  in  the  pasture,  such  as  St.  John's 
wort  (Hypericum  perforatum),  smartweed  (Polygonum  hydropiper), 
vetches,  honeydew,  etc.  Buckwheat,  at  the  time  the  seeds  become 
ripe,  is  said  to  have  caused  it,  also  bedding  with  buckwheat  straw. 

Treatment. — Sucking  calves  should  be  removed  from  the  mother, 
and  the  latter  should  have  a  purgative  to  divert  the  poisonous  sub- 
stance secreted  with  the  milk.  When  the  more  formidable  disease 
among  grazing  cattle  appears,  the  pasturage  should  be  changed,  and 
the  affected  parts  of  the  animal  thoroughly  anointed  once  a  day  with 
sweet  oil,  containing  2  drams  of  carbolic  acid  to  the  pint.  This  should 
be  continued  until  the  crusts  soften  and  begin  to  drop  off,  then  the 


328  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

parts  may  be  cleansed  thoroughly  with  warm  water  and  soap.  Sub- 
sequently apply  the  white  precipitate  ointment  or  carbolized  cosmoline 
daily  until  the  parts  are  healed. 

PEMPHIGUS  (WATER   BLISTERS). 

This  is  an  inflammatory  disease  of  the  skin,  characterized  by  suc- 
cessive formations  of  rounded,  irregularly  shaped  water  blisters,  vary- 
ing in  size  from  a  pea  to  a  hen's  egg. 

Causes. — Obscure. 

Symptoms. — The  formation  of  a  blister  is  preceded  by  a  congestion 
or  swelling  of  the  skin.  Yellowish  colored  water  collects  beneath  the 
cuticle,  which  raises  the  latter  from  its  bed  in  the  form  of  a  blister. 
The  blisters  appear  in  a  succession  of  crops ;  as  soon  as  one  crop  dis- 
appears another  forms.  They  usually  occur  in  clusters,  each  one  being 
distinct,  or  they  may  coalesce.  Each  crop  usually  runs  its  course  in 
a  week.  Itching  or  burning  sensations  attend  this  disease  which 
cause  the  animal  to  rub,  thereby  frequently  producing  excoriations 
and  formation  of  crust  on  the  affected  region. 

Treatment. — Give  a  tablespoonful  of  the  following  mixture  in  feed 
twice  a  day:  Saltpeter,  cream  of  tartar,  and  sulphur,  equal  parts  by 
weight.  The  blisters  should  be  opened  as  soon  as  formed,  to  allow 
the  escape  of  the  serum,  then  apply  a  wash  composed  of  chlorid  of 
zinc,  1  dram  to  15  ounces  of  water.  When  there  is  any  formation  of 
crusts,  apply  carbolized  cosmoline. 

FURUNCULUS    (  BOILS  ). 

This  is  an  acute  affection  of  the  skin,  usually  involving  its  whole 
thickness,  characterized  by  the  formation  of  one  or  more  abscesses, 
originating  generally  in  a  sebaceous  gland,  sweat  gland,  or  hair 
follicle.  They  usually  terminate  by  absorption,  or  by  the  formation 
of  a  central  core,  which  sloughs  out,  leaving  a  deep,  round  cavity  that 
soon  heals. 

Causes. — Impoverished  state  of  the  blood,  the  result  of  kidney  dis- 
eases, or  of  local  friction  or  contusions. 

Symptoms. — Boils  in  cattle  usually  appear  singly,  not  in  clusters; 
they  may  attain  the  size  of  a  hen's  egg.  The  abscess  begins  as  a 
small  round  nodule,  painful  to  pressure,  gradually  increases  in  size 
until  death  of  the  central  portion  takes  place,  then  the  surface  of  the 
skin  gives  way  to  internal  pressure,  and  the  core  is  released  and 
expelled.  Constitutional  symptoms  are  generally  absent,  unless  the 
boils  occur  in  considerable  numbers,  or  by  their  size  involve  a  great 
amount  of  tissue. 

Treatment. — Poulticing  to  ripen  the  abscess.  If  this  can  not  be 
done,  apply  camphorated  oil  two  or  three  times  a  day  until  the  core 
is  formed.  As  soon  as  the  central  or  most  prominent  part  becomes 
soft,  the  abscess  should  be  opened  to  release  the  core      Then  use  car- 


DISEASES    OF    THE    SKIN.  329 

bolized  cosmoline  once  a  day  until  the  healing  is  completed.  If  the 
animal  is  in  poor  condition,  give  tonics — copperas,  gentian,  ginger, 
and  sulphur,  equal  parts  by  weight,  1  tablespoonful  twice  a  day.  If 
the  animal  manifests  a  feverish  condition  of  the  system,  administer 
half  an  ounce  of  saltpeter  twice  a  day,  continuing  it  several  days  or 
a  week. 

FAULTY   SECRETIONS   AND   ABNORMAL   GROWTHS   OF  THE    SKIN. 
PITYRIASIS    (SEBORRHEA,  DANDRUFF,  OR  SCURF). 

This  is  a  condition  characterized  by  an  excessive  secretion  of  seba- 
ceous matter,  forming  upon  the  skin  in  small  crusts,  or  scales. 

Causes. — It  is  due  to  a  functional  derangement  of  the  sebaceous 
glands,  usually  accompanied  by  dryness  and  loss  of  pliancy  of  the 
skin.  The  animal  is  hidebound,  as  it  is  commonly  termed,  thin  in 
flesh,  inclined  to  rub,  and  very  frequently  lousy.  The  condition  is 
observed  most  often  toward  the  spring  of  the  year.  Animals  that  are 
continually  housed,  and  the  skins  of  which  receive  no  cleaning,  gen- 
erally present  a  coat  filled  with  fine  scales,  composed  of  epithelium 
from  the  epidermis  and  dried  sebaceous  matter.  This,  however,  is  a 
physiological  condition,  and  compatible  with  perfect  health. 

Symptoms. — Pitj-riasis  may  affect  the  greater  portion  of  the  body, 
though  usually  onl}T  certain  parts  are  affected — the  ears,  neck,  rump, 
etc.  The  skin  becomes  scurfy,  the  hairy  coat  filled  with  bran-like 
gray  or  whitish  scales. 

Treatment. — Nutritious  food,  such  as  oil-cake  meal,  bran,  ground 
oats,  and  clean  hay.  In  the  spring  the  disease  generally  disappears 
after  the  animal  is  turned  out  to  pasture.  When  lice  are  present  they 
should  be  destroyed. 

ELEPHANTIASIS  (SCLERODERMA). 

This  condition  consists  in  a  chronic  thickening  of  the  skin,  which 
may  affect  one  or  more  limbs,  or  involve  the  whole  integument.  It  is 
characterized  by  recurrent  attacks  of  swelling  of  the  skin  and  sub- 
cutaneous areolar  tissue.  After  each  attack  the  affected  parts  remain 
infiltrated  to  a  larger  extent  than  before,  until  finally  the  skin  may 
attain  a  thickness  of  an  inch,  become  wrinkled  and  fissure  d.  In  cat- 
tle this  disease  is  confined  to  hot  climates.  The  predisposing  cause 
is  unknown. 

EDEMA  (ANASARCA   OF   THE  SKIN). 

This  is  a  dropsical  condition  of  the  skin  and  s  u^cutaneous  areolar 
tissue,  characterized  by  pitting  under  pressure,  the  fingers  leaving  a 
dent  which  remains  a  short  time. 

Causes. — Edema  generally  results  from  a  weakened  state  of  the 
system,  arising  from  previous  disease.  It  may  also  be  dependent 
upon  a  functional  derangement  of  the  kidneys,  upon  weak  circula- 


330  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

tion,  or  obstruction  to  the  flow  of  blood  through  the  lungs.  In  debili- 
tated animals  and  in  some  animals  heavily  infested  with  parasites 
there  is  swelling  of  the  dewlap  or  of  the  fold  of  skin  between  the  jaws. 

Symptoms. — Painless  swelling  of  a  limb,  udder,  lower  surface  of 
abdomen,  or  lower  jaw  becomes  apparent.  This  may  increase  in  di- 
mensions for  several  days,  or  may  attain  its  maximum  in  less  than 
twenty-four  hours.  Unless  complicated  with  some  acute  disease  of  a 
specific  character,  there  is  not  much,  if  any,  constitutional  disturb- 
ance. The  deep  layer  of  the  skin  is  infiltrated  with  serum,  which 
gives  it  the  characteristic  condition  of  pitting  under  pressure. 

Treatment. — When  the  cause  can  be  ascertained  and  removed,  we 
will  have  a  reasonable  expectation  of  seeing  the  edema  disappear. 
When  no  direct  specific  cause  can  be  discovered  and  the  animal  is 
debilitated,  give  general  tonic.  If,  on  the  contrary,  it  is  in  good  flesh, 
give  a  purgative,  followed  by  half  an  ounce  of  acetate  of  potash  twice 
a  day.     External  applications  are  useless. 

Edema  may  be  distinguished  from  erysipelas  or  anthrax  by  the 
absence  of  pain  and  fever. 

DERMOID   AND  SEBACEOUS   CYSTS  (WENS). 

A  dermoid  cyst  is  formed  by  an  involution  of  the  skin,  with  a  growth 
of  hair  on  the  inner  wall  of  the  sac.  It  may  become  embedded  deeply 
in  the  tissues  subcutaneously,  or  may  just  penetrate  the  thickness  of 
the  skin,  where  it  is  movable  and  painless.  They  are  generally  found 
within  the  ear  or  at  its  base,  although  they  may  form  on  any  part  of 
the  body.  Usually  they  have  a  small  opening,  from  which  a  thick, 
cheesy  matter  can  be  squeezed  out.  The  rational  treatment  is  to  dis- 
sect them  out. 

Sebaceous  cysts  appear  not  unlike  the  former.  They  are  formed  by 
a  dilatation  of  the  hair  follicle  and  sebaceous  duct  within  the  skin, 
and  contain  a  gray  or  yellowish  sebaceous  mass.  The  tumor  may 
attain  the  size  of  a  cherry  stone  or  a  walnut.  Generally  they  are 
round,  movable,  and  painless,  soft  or  doughy  in  consistency,  and 
covered  with  skin  and  hair.  They  develop  slowly.  The  best  treat- 
ment is  to  dissect  out  the  sac  with  contents  entire. 

VERRUCA    (WARTS). 

Cattle  are  affected  with  two  varieties  of  warts.  One,  the  verruca 
vulgaris,  is  composed  of  a  cluster  of  enlarged  papilla},  covered  with  a 
thickened  epidermis,  the  number  of  papillae  determining  the  breadth 
and  their  length  its  height.  They  are  generally  circular  in  figure, 
slightly  roughened  on  the  surface,  and  spring  from  the  skin  by  a  broad 
base.  Occasionally  large  numbers  of  very  thin,  long,  pedunculated 
warts  grow  from  the  skin  of  the  ear,  lips,  about  the  eyes,  and  vulva. 
Another  variety,  the  verruca  acuminata,  sometimes  erroneously 
denominated  epithelial  cancers,  are   irregularly  shaped  elevations, 


DISEASES    OF   THE    SKIN.  331 

tuf.  d  or  club-shaped,  occasionally  existing  as  thick,  short,  fleshy 
excrescences,  giving  the  growth  the  appearance  of  granulation  tissue. 
Their  color  is  red  or  purplish,  and  oftentimes  by  friction  they  become 
raw  and  bleeding,  emitting  then  a  very  offensive  odor.  They  usually 
grow  in  clusters  and  their  development  is  rapid. 

Causes. — An  abnormal  nutrition  of  the  skin,  determined  by  increased 
energy  of  growth  operating  upon  a  healthy  skin;  at  other  times,  upon 
a  weak  or  impoverished  skin. 

Treatment. — When  they  are  small  and  pedunculated  they  may  be 
snipped  off  with  shears,  and  the  stump  touched  with  nitrate  of  silver. 
When  they  are  broad  and  flattened  they  can  be  dissected  out,  and  the 
wound  cauterized,  if  necessary.  If  they  are  large  and  very  vascular, 
they  may  be  ligated,  one  by  one,  by  taking  a  strong  cord  and  tying  it 
as  firmly  around  the  base  as  possible.  They  will  then  shrivel,  die,  and 
drop  off.  If  there  is  a  tendency  to  grow  again,  apply  a  red-hot  iron, 
or  nitric  acid  with  a  glass  rod.  Very  often  warts  will  quickly  disap- 
pear if  they  are  kept  soft  by  daily  applications  of  sweet  or  olive  oil. 


Kelis  is  an  irregularly  shaped  flat  tumor  of  the  skin,  resulting  from 
hypertrophy — increased  growth  of  the  fibrous  tissue  of  the  corium, 
producing  absorption  of  the  papillary  layer. 

Causes. — It  may  arise  spontaneously,  or  follow  a  scar  after  an 
injury. 

Symptoms. — Kelis  generally  appears  below  the  knee  or  hock.  It 
may  occur  singly  or  in  numbers.  There  are  no  constitutional  symp- 
toms. Its  growth  is  very  slow  and  seldom  causes  any  inconvenience. 
It  appears  as  a  flattened,  irregular,  or  spreading  growth  within  the 
substance  of  the  skin,  is  hard  to  the  touch,  and  is  especially  charac- 
terized by  divergent  branches  or  roots,  resembling  the  claws  of  a  crab, 
and  hence  the  name.  Occasionally  some  part  of  it  may  soften  and 
result  in  an  abscess.  It  may  grow  several  inches  in  length  and 
encircle  the  whole  limb. 

Treatment. — So  long  as  it  causes  the  animal  no  inconvenience  it  is 
best  not  to  meddle  with  it;  when  it  does,  the  animal  ought  to  be  fat- 
tened for  beef,  the  meat  being  perfectly  harmless  to  the  consumer. 

PARASITIC   DISEASES    OF   THE    SKIN. 

MANGE,  ITCH,  SCAB. 

[See  discussion  in  chapter  on  "  The  animal  parasites  of  cattle."] 

LOUSINESS. 

[See  discussion  of  lice  in  chapter  on  "The  animal  parasites  of  cattle."] 

WARBLES,  OR   GRUB   IN   THE   SKIN. 

[See  discussion  in  chapter  on  "  The  animal  parasites  of  cattle."] 


332  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

BUFFALO   GNATS. 

[See  discussion  of  these  parasites  in  chapter  on  "The  animal  parasites  of  cattle."] 

HOEN   FLY    (HJEMATOBIA  SERRATA). 

[See  discussion  of  this  parasite  in  chapter  on  '"The  animal  parasites  of  cattle."] 

TICKS. 
[See  discussion  of  these  parasites  in  chapter  on  "  The  animal  parasites  of  cattle."] 

FLIES. 

[See  discussion  of  these  parasites  in  chapter  on  "The  animal  parasites  of  cattle."] 

RINGWORM  (TINEA   TONSURANS   AND  TINEA  FAVOSA). 

Ringworm  is  an  affection  of  the  skin,  due  to  a  vegetable  parasite. 
Tinea  tonsurans  is  due  to  the  presence  of  a  minute  or  microscopic  fun- 
gus— the  Trichophyton  tonsurans.  It  affects  the  hair  and  the  epidermic 
layer  of  the  skin,  and  is  highly  contagions,  being  readily  transmitted 
from  one  animal  to  another.  This  fungus  consists  of  spores  and  fila- 
ments. The  spores,  being  the  most  numerous,  are  round,  nucleated, 
and  seldom  vary  much  in  size.  They  are  very  abundant  in  the  hair 
follicle.  The  filaments  are  articulated,  waving,  and  contain  granules. 
This  disease  is  productive  of  changes  in  the  root  and  shaft  of  the 
hair,  rendering  it  brittle  and  easily  broken  off. 

Symptoms. — This  disease  becomes  manifest  by  the  formation  of 
circular  patches  on  the  skin,  which  soon  becomes  denuded  of  hair. 
The  cuticular  layer  of  the  skin  is  slightly  iu flamed,  and  vesication 
with  exudation  occurs,  followed  by  the  formation  of  scaly,  brittle 
crusts.  The  patches  appear  silvery  gray  when  incrusted,  and  are 
mostly  confined  to  the  head  and  neck.  It  is  a  common  disease  among 
young  cattle  in  the  winter  and  spring.  Very  early  in  the  development 
of  the  patches  the  hairs  split,  twist,  and  break  off  close  to  the  skin. 
This  disease  is  attended  with  more  or  less  itching.  It  is  communicable 
to  man. 

Tinea  favosa  is  due  to  another  fungus,  the  Achorion  schonleinii. 
This  enters  the  hair  follicle  and  involves  the  cuticle  surrounding  it, 
small  crusts  form  which  increase  in  diameter  and  thickness  and  then 
become  elevated  at  their  margin,  forming  a  cup-shaped  scab,  the 
favus  cup,  which  gives  the  disease  its  distinctive  character.  The 
number  of  these  cups  varies  from  a  few  to  many  hundreds.  The  hairs 
involved  become  brittle  and  broken,  fall  off  with  the  crusts,  leaving 
small  bald  patches.  The  crusts  are  of  a  pale  or  sulphur-yellow  color 
at  first;  as  they  grow  older  they  turn  darker,  or  to  a  brown  color. 
This  form  of  ringworm  has  a  peculiar  odor,  resembling  that  of  mice 
or  musty  straw.  It  is  occasionally  communicated  to  cattle  by  man, 
mice,  cats,  etc.,  all  being  subject  to  this  disease. 


DISEASES    OF    THE    SKIN.  333 

Treatment. — Remove  all  crusts  by  washing  with  soap  and  water, 
then  apply  acetic  acid,  sulphur  ointment,  tincture  of  iodine  or  nitrate 
of  mercury  ointment  once  a  day.  Cleanse  the  stable  and  whitewash 
it  to  destroy  the  spores  scattered  by  the  crusts. 

WOUNDS   OF   THE   SKIN. 

SNAKE   BITES. 
[See  discussion  of  this  subject  in  chapter  on  "Poisons  and  poisoning."] 

VENOMOUS   STINGS. 
[See  discussion  of  this  subject  in  chapter  on  "  Poisons  and  poisoning."] 

BURNS   AND  SCALDS. 

This  is  a  rare  accident  among  cattle,  yet  in  cases  of  fire  it  may  occur. 
The  application  of  heat,  whether  dry  or  moist,  unless  sufficient  instantly 
to  destroy  the  life  of  a  part,  is  always  followed  by  the  development  of 
vesicles,  or  blisters,  which  contain  a  thin,  watery  fluid.  The  blisters 
may  be  isolated  and  not  very  large,  or  one  blister  may  cover  a  very 
large  surface.  When  the  burn  is  very  severe  the  skin  niay  be  wholly 
devitalized,  or  the  injury  may  extend  into  the  deeper  structures 
beneath  the  skin.  Then  sloughs  will  occur,  followed  by  a  contraction 
of  the  parts  in  healing;  if  on  a  limb,  this  may  render  the  animal  stiff. 
When  the  burn  or  scald  has  been  a  severe  one,  the  resulting  pain  is 
great  and  the  constitutional  disturbance  very  marked. 

Treatment. — For  a  superficial  burn  use  a  mixture  of  equal  parts  of 
limewater  and  linseed  oil,  or  common  white  paint — white  lead  ground 
in  oil.  This  will  exclude  the  atmosphere  and  protect  the  inflamed 
skin.  If  it  is  not  convenient  to  obtain  this,  chimney  soot,  flour,  or 
starch  may  be  spread  on  the  wound  (dry),  and  covered  with  cotton 
batting  and  light  bandage  if  possible.  The  blisters  should  be  opened 
to  let  the  contained  fluid  escape,  but  do  not  pull  off  the  thin  cuticle 
which  has  been  raised  by  the  blister.  When  the  burn  is  extensive 
and  deep  sloughing  occurs,  the  parts  should  be  treated,  like  other 
deep  wounds,  by  poulticing,  astringent  washes,  etc.  When  the  sys- 
tem has  sustained  much  shock,  stimulants  may  be  required  internally, 
such  as  4  ounces  of  whisky  or  2  drams  of  carbonate  of  ammonia  every 
hour  until  the  animal  rallies.  When  the  pain  is  very  great,  hypo- 
dermic injections  of  6  grains  of  morphia  niay  be  administered  every 
six  hours. 

Frostbite  on  any  portion  of  the  body  may  be  treated  as  recommended 
in  the  article  on  diseases  of  the  ears. 

EMPHYSEMA   (AIR  OR  GAS   UNDER   THE  SKIN). 

Emphysema  of  the  skin  is  not  a  true  disease  of  the  skin,  but  we  shall 
mention  it  as  a  pathological  condition.     It  is  characterized  by  a  dis- 


334  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

tention  of  the  skin  with  air  or  gas  contained  in  the  subcutaneous 
areolar  tissue.  It  may  depend  upon  a  septic  condition  of  the  blood, 
as  in  anthrax  or  blackleg;  or  air  may  be  forced  under  the  skin  about 
the  head,  neck,  and  shoulders,  as  a  result  of  rupture  of  the  windpipe. 
It  occurs  in  the  region  of  the  chest  and  shoulders  from  penetrating 
wounds  of  the  chest  and  lung,  and  occasionally  follows  puncture  of 
the  rumen,  when  the  escaping  gas  is  retained  under  the  skin. 

Symptoms. — The  skin  is  enormously  distended  over  a  greater  or 
less  portion  of  the  body;  thus  any  region  of  the  body  may  lose  its 
natural  contour  and  appear  like  a  monstrosity.  There  is  a  peculiar 
crackling  beneath  the  skin  when  the  hand  is  passed  over  it,  and  on 
tapping  it  with  the  fingers  a  resonant  drum-like  sound  is  elicited. 

Treatment. — Puncture  the  distended  skin  with  a  clean  broad-bladed 
knife  and  press  out  the  contained  air.  Further  treatment  must  be 
directed  with  a  view  to  the  removal  of  the  cause. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  FOOT. 

By  M.  R.  Trumbower,  D.  V.  S. 

[Revised  in  1904  by  Leonard  Pearson,  B.  S.,  V.  M.  D.] 
LAMINITIS  (FOUNDER). 

Laminitis  denotes  an  active  inflammation  of  the  sensitive  structures 
within  the  wall  of  the  hoof,  which  may  in  severe  cases  result  in  sup- 
puration and  the  loss  of  one  or  more  claws.  Owing  to  the  simplicity 
of  the  structure  of  the  foot  of  the  ox  compared  with  that  of  the  horse, 
this  disease  is  rarely  seen  in  an  acute  form,  but  a  mild  form,  commonly 
called  "foot  soreness,"  is  not  of  infrequent  occurrence. 

Causes. — Laminitis  in  cattle  may  be  caused  by  overfeeding,  over- 
heating, continued  standing  without  exercise  on  a  stone  or  cement 
floor  without  sufficient  bedding,  or  by  driving  long  distances  over 
rough  or  stony  soil. 

Symptoms. — An  unwillingness  to  maintain  the  standing  position; 
the  animal  persists  in  lying  down.  The  feet  will  be  found  unnaturally 
hot,  and  frequently  some  swelling  may  be  noticed  above  the  hoof. 
Pressure  upon  the  hoof  with  blacksmiths'  hoof-pincers  causes  pain 
and  flinching.  The  general  body  temperature  is  increased  and  the 
breathing  accelerated.  Ordinarily  the  animal  eats  and  drinks.  When 
it  is  made  to  move  excessive  tenderness  of  the  feet  becomes  manifest, 
as  is  shown  by  reluctance  to  walk  and  by  the  very  short,  hesitating 
step.  Founder  affects  the  hind  as  well  as  the  fore  feet,  although  the 
front  feet  are  more  often  exposed. 

Treatment. — Cold  packs  to  the  feet,  or  if  the  animal  can  be  made  to 
stand  in  a  stream  of  running  water,  having  a  soft  bottom,  this  will 
often  relieve  the  inflammation  without  the  necessity  of  any  additional 
treatment.  It  may  be  well,  however,  to  give  a  full  dose  of  Epsom 
salts,  1  to  1£  pounds,  followed  by  half-ounce  doses  of  saltpeter  two  or 
three  times  a  day. 

SORENESS    (FOOT    SORENESS). 

Cattle  that  are  driven  ove,r  stony  roads,  especially  such  as  have 
been  stabled  or  pastured  on  soft  ground,  soon  wear  down  the  soles  of 
their  feet  and  become  lame  from  foot  soreness.  Draft  oxen,  for  this 
reason,  require  to  be  shod.  When  the  soreness  is  excessive  it  may 
develop  into  an  active  inflammation  of  all  the  sensitive  structures  of 
the  foot — laminitis,  or  into  a  local  bruise  commonly  called  a  "corn." 

335 


336  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

Treatment. — Rest,  poulticing  the  feet  with  moistened  clay,  followed 
by  astringent  washes — strong  white-oak  bark  or  alum  water. 

If  the  pain  and  heat  last  several  days,  it  is  probable  that  pus  has 
formed  beneath  the  wall  of  the  hoof.  In  this  case  it  is  necessary  to 
cut  through  the  Avail,  usually  at  the  most  prominent  part  of  the  sole, 
to  allow  the  accumulation  to  drain  out.  The  animal  should  then  be 
caused  to  stand  for  several  hours  daily  in  a  tub  containing  creolin 
solution  (3  per  cent).  When  not  in  the  creolin  solution  the  foot  should 
be  dressed  with  pine  tar  and  cotton  and  bandaged  with  bagging. 

LOSS   OF  HOOF. 

Cattle  sometimes  become  fastened  between  planks  or  otherwise  and 
pull  off  the  wall  of  one  or  both  claws  in  the  effort  to  extricate  them- 
selves. The  claws  of  one  or  more  feet  may  be  shed  as  the  result  of 
acute  laminitis. 

Treatment. — Wash  the  bleeding  surface  with  an  antiseptic  and  then 
with  an  astringent,  as  a  weak  solution  of  alum,  then  apply  a  thick 
coating  of  pine  tar;  cover  this  with  a  layer  of  oakum  or  absorbent 
cotton;  apply  another  coat  of  tar  over  this,  and  then  bandage  closely 
and  firmly.  This  may  remain  without  disturbance  until  the  new 
growing  wall  becomes  sufficiently  strong  to  sustain  the  pressure  and 
weight  of  the  animal.  If,  however,  at  any  time  it  becomes  manifest 
by  oozing  or  bad  smell  that  pus  is  forming  under  this  dressing,  the 
bandage  should  be  removed  and  the  suppurating  surface  freshly 
cleaned  and  dressed.  This  may  have  to  be  repeated  every  few  days, 
and  should  be  continued  so  long  as  there  is  any  pus  formation.  If 
the  loss  of  hoof  is  due  to  suppurative  laminitis,  the  parts  denuded  of 
the  horny  covering  must  be  thoroughly  cleansed  and  disinfected  with 
carbolic  acid,  creolin,  lysol,  or  other  antiseptic.  Then  apply  a  mod- 
erately thick  layer  of  absorbent  cotton,  and  apply  the  tar  and  bandage 
over  this.  After  this  the  antiseptic  solution  may  be  poured  in  at  the 
top  of  the  dressing  daily.  It  will  thus  soak  in  and  saturate  the  dress- 
ing and  inflamed  tissue.  It  may  become  necessary  to  remove  the 
whole  of  the  dressing  at  daily  or  longer  intervals  to  give  the  parts  a 
fresh  cleaning,  and  then  to  reapply  it. 

FOUL   IN  FOOT    (FOOT   ROT). 

A  variety  of  causes  may  produce  inflammation  of  the  foot  between 
the  claws  or  toes.  It  may  be  due  to  overgrowth  of  the  claws  and 
inward  pressure,  as  in  ingrowing  nail  of  man;  or  it  may  be  caused  by 
the  irritation  of  stable  filth,  to  impaction  and  hardening  of  soil 
between  the  claws,  or  to  other  foreign  substances  becoming  wedged 
in  and  causing  inflammation  and  softening  or  ulceration  of  the  skin 
in  the  interdigital  space.  Under  some  conditions  several  cattle  in  the^ 
same  herd  become  affected,  and  this  has  led  some  to  think  that  the 


DISEASES    OF   THE    FOOT.  337 

disease  may  be  contagious.  Occurrences  have  been  reported  where 
foot  rot  of  cattle  has  appeared  within  a  short  time  among  a  large  pro- 
portion of  the  cattle  in  a  farming  district.  This  disease  is  most  fre- 
quently seen  in  the  hind  feet,  though  all  four  feet  may  become 
affected. 

Symptoms. — The  animal  is  observed  to  limp  in  walking.  On  exami- 
nation of  tho  foot  we  discover  heat,  and  swelling  above  the  hoof  and 
of  the  soft  parts  between  the  claws  which  frequentty  spreads  the 
claws  apart  to  a  considerable  extent;  or  the  inflammation  may  have 
advanced  to  softening  and  sloughing  of  the  interdigital  membrane. 
If  the  disease  is  neglected  at  this  stage,  deep  abscesses  may  form  and 
the  pus  burrow  under  the  horny  wall,  or  the  joint  within  the  hoof 
may  become  inflamed  and  the  articular  attachments  destroyed,  in 
which  case  the  treatment  will  become  difficult  and  recovery  will  be 
very  tedious. 

Treatment. — In  the  earlier  stages  of  the  disease,  before  pus  burrows 
beneath  the  horn,  a  thorough  cleansing  and  an  application  of  a  car- 
bolic-acid solution — 1  ounce  to  a  pint  of  water — clean  stabling,  and 
laxative  food  will  usually  remedy  the  evil.  Creolin  is  an  excellent 
remedy  at  this  stage.  It  should  be  applied  to  the  suppurating  and 
putrefying  tissue  between  the  claws  in  its  pure  or  undiluted  state.  It 
is  best  applied  by  means  of  a  cotton  swab  on  a  thin  stick.  Care  must 
be  exercised  to  keep  the  creolin  from  contact  with  the  skin  about  the 
coronary  band  or  heels.  If  deep  sloughing  has  taken  place  the  car- 
bolic solution  or  creolin  should  be  used,  and  a  wad  of  oakum  or  cot- 
ton smeared  with  pine  tar  should  be  secured  firmhy  in  the  cleft.  This 
can  be  done  by  taking  a  strip  of  strong  cloth,  2  inches  wide,  passing 
the  middle  between  the  claws,  then  tying  the  ends  after  winding  them 
in  opposite  directions  above  the  hoof.  Sometimes  warm  poulticing 
with  flaxseed  meal  or  bran  becomes  necessary  to  relieve  excessive 
fever  and  pain.  If  the  pus  burrows  under  the  horn,  its  channel  must 
be  followed  by  paring  away  the  horn  until  the  bottom  is  reached. 
The  after-treatment  will  be  the  same  as  that  already  recommended. 
If  the  joint  becomes  diseased,  an  amputation  of  that  toe  will  be  the 
quickest  and  surest  method  to  relieve  the  suffering  of  the  animal,  and 
offers  the  best  chance  for  an  early  recovery. 

ULCERATION    OF   THE    HEEL. 

Occasionally  we  find  ulcers  at  the  junction  of  the  hair  with  the  hoof 
at  the  heel,  which  present  an  elevated,  raw,  or  ragged  surface,  and 
cause  considerable  lameness.  This  is  generally  due  to  a  bruise  of  the 
fibrous  cushion  of  the  back  part  of  the  foot.  Subsequent  sloughing 
or  necrosis  may  occur,  or  pus  may  form  deep  down  within  the  wall 
and  gain  an  exit  at  the  margin  of  the  heel.  Sometimes  large  pieces 
of  skin  slough  from  the  heel  and  pastern  from  no  visible  cause.  This 
61386—08 22 


338  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

condition   is   caused   by  an  infection  with   certain   microorganisms 
(streptococci,  necrosis  bacilli)  and  may  be  contagious. 

Treatment. — If  there  is  a  deep  opening,  inject  carbolic  solution  once 
a  day  until  it  closes.  If  the  ulcer  is  only  superficial,  wash  with  car- 
bolic or  creolin  solution  and  apply  a  mixture  of  equal  parts  of  blue 
vitriol  and  alum  in  dry  powder. 

FISSURE    OF   THE    WALL  (SPLIT   HOOF). 

This  is  rarely  seen  among  cattle.  It  may  occur  in  weak  walls,  in 
heavy-bodied  cattle,  by  stepping  on  an  uneven  surface,  especially 
when  the  point  of  the  toe  is  grown  out  long.  One  may  find  the  point 
of  the  toe  broken  and  the  wall  split  almost  up  to  the  hair. 

Treatment. — The  divided  sections  may  be  brought  into  approxima- 
tion and  held  in  place  by  drilling  a  small  hole  from  one  side  into  and 
through  the  other,  commencing  half  an  inch  back  of  the  fissure  on 
each  side;  then  drive  a  light  horseshoe  nail  through  the  hole  and 
clinch  it.     Pare  the  injured  claw  as  short  as  it  will  bear. 

INTERDIGITAL    FIBROMA. 

Hard,  nodular,  fibrous  tumors  sometimes  grow  in  the  cleft  of  the 
foot,  and  cause  inconvenience,  lameness,  absorption,  or  ulceration  of 
the  contiguous  parts. 

Treatment. — They  should  be  dissected  out,  and  the  wound  dressed 
with  carbolic-acid  lotion  and  pine  tar  once  a  day  until  healing  is 
completed. 

DEFORMITIES. 

Deformities  in  the  feet  of  cattle  usually  consist  in  overgrowth  of 
horn,  generally  due  to  want  of  wear  in  animals  which  are  stabled. 
The  hoof  may  turn  inward,  outward,  or  upward,  and  may  give  rise  to 
lameness,  inability  to  walk,  foul  foot,  etc.  Bulls  which  are  continu- 
ally stabled  and  dairy  cows  very  frequently  have  misshapen  feet  for 
want  of  an  occasional  trimming,  and  this  deformity  may  eventually 
lead  to  permanent  injury. 

Treatment. — Cut  the  superabundant  growth  of  horn  down  with  saw, 
knife,  or  rasp,  until  the  foot  assumes  its  natural  form. 

PRICKS   AND   WOUNDS. 

If  au  animal  suffers  with  a  penetrating  wound  from  prick  of  fork  or 
nail,  the  orifice  of  the  wound  should  be  enlarged  to  permit  a  free  dis- 
charge of  pus;  then  soak  the  foot  in  a  creolin  solution  (3  per  cent) 
in  a  tub,  or  apply  a  flaxseed  poultice,  changing  it  three  times  a  day 
until  the  fever  has  abated.  The  foot  should  be  kept  bandaged  and 
dressed  with  pine  tar  and  oakum,  and  the  animal  must  be  kept  on  a 


DISEASES    OF    THE    FOOT.  339 

clean  floor  until  the  wound  is  closed  and  all  or  nearly  all  lameness 
has  disappeared. 

If  an  animal  is  cut  in  the  foot  with  barbed  wire,  piece  of  glass,  or 
any  other  substance,  dress  the  wound,  after  proper  cleansing,  with 
carbolic-acid  solution,  1  ounce  to  20  of  water.  If  any  uneven  edges 
of  horn  or  skin  or  lacerated  flesh  project,  trim  them  off,  and  in  all 
cases  when  it  can  be  done  a  tarred  bandage  should  be  applied.  This 
will  serve  to  sustain  the  cut  surfaces  in  their  place,  exclude  dirt,  and 
protect  against  flies,  maggots,  etc. 

When  the  wound  has  extended  into  a  joint,  surgical  treatment  may 
become  necessary,  which  will  require  the  services  of  an  educated 
veterinarian. 

Occasionally  an  animal  becomes  fastened  by  the  foot  in  some  crevice 
and  sustains  severe  bruising,  wrenching,  or  fracture  of  some  part  of 
the  foot.  In  such  cases  cold-water  packs  to  the  injured  member  will 
be  of  service  until  the  fever  and  swelling  disappear.  Afterwards 
allow  the  animal  rest  until  the  usefulness  of  the  foot  is  restored. 
Sometimes  such  an  accident,  causing  fracture,  renders  necessary 
plaster  bandages  or  amputation. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  EYE  AND  ITS  APPENDAGES. 

By  M.  R.  Trumbower,  D.  V.  S. 
[Revised  in  1904  by  Leonard  Pearson,  B.  S.,  V.  M.  D  J 

For  the  sake  of  gaining  a  clear  comprehension  of  the  diseases  of  the 
eye  it  becomes  necessary  to  review  the  anatomy  of  this  important 
organ.  The  essential  organ  of  vision,  or  globe  of  the  eye,  will  be  first 
described,  then  the  receptacle  of  this  globe  or  orbital  cavit}7',  the  mus- 
cles that  move  it,  the  protective  membranes,  or  eyelids,  the  membrana 
nictitans,  or  accessory  eyelids,  and,  lastly,  the  lachrymal  apparatus. 

The  globe,  or  ball,  of  the  eye  approaches  the  spherical  in  form.  On 
closer  inspection,  however,  it  will  appear  to  be  made  up  of  two  com- 
bined portions  from  spheres  of  different  sizes.  The  posterior  portion, 
forming  about  five-sixths  of  the  ball,  is  a  sphere  of  comparatively 
large  size  with  a  small  segment  cut  off  it  in  front,  and  at  this  point 
there  is  applied  to  it  the  anterior  portion,  which,  being  a  segment  of 
a  smaller  sphere,  projects  at  the  front  of  the  ball  with  a  greater  con- 
vexity than  the  posterior  portion. 

The  eyeball  consists  of  concentrically  arranged  coats  and  of  refract- 
ing media  inclosed  within  these  coats.  The  coats  are  three  in  num- 
ber, namely,  (1)  an  external  protective  tunic  made  up  of  the  sclerotic 
and  cornea;  (2)  a  middle  vascular  and  pigmentary  tunic,  the  choroid; 
(3)  an  internal  nervous  layer,  the  retina.  The  sclerotic  is  the  white, 
opaque  part  of  the  outer  tunic,  of  which  it  forms  about  the  posterior 
five-sixths,  being  coextensive  with  the  larger  sphere  already  men- 
tioned. The  cornea  forms  the  remaining  one-sixth  of  the  outer  tunic, 
being  coextensive  with  the  segment  of  the  smaller  sphere.  It  is  dis- 
tinguished from  the  sclerotic  by  being  colorless  and  transparent.  The 
choroid  coat  will  be  recognized  as  the  black  layer  lying  subjacent  to 
the  sclerotic.  It  does  not  line  the  cornea,  but  terminates  behind  the 
line  of  junction  of  that  coat  with  the  sclerotic  by  a  thickened  edge — 
the  ciliary  processes.  At  the  line  of  junction  of  the  sclerotic  and 
cornea  the  iris  passes  across  the  interior  of  the  eye.  This  (which  may 
be  viewed  as  a  dependency  of  the  choroid)  is  a  muscular  curtain  per- 
forated by  an  aperture  termed  the  pupil.  The  retina  will  be  recog- 
nized as  a  delicate  glassy  layer,  lining  the  greater  part  of  the  choroid. 

The  refracting  media  of  the  eye  are  three  in  number,  namely,  (1) 
the  aqueous  humor,  a  watery  fluid  inclosed  in  a  chamber  behind  the 
cornea ;  (2)  the  crystalline  lens  and  its  capsule,  a  transparent,  soft  solid 
340 


DISEASES    OF    THE    EYE,   ETC.  341 

of  a  biconvex  form,  and  placed  behind  the  iris;  (3)  the  vitreous  humor, 
a  transparent  material  with  a  consistence  like  thin  jelly,  and  occupy- 
ing as  much  of  the  interior  of  the  eye  as  is  subjacent  to  the  choroid. 

The  sclerotic  is  a  strong,  opaque,  fibrous  membrane,  which,  in  a 
great  measure,  maintains  the  form  of  the  eyeball  and  protects  the 
more  delicate  structures  within  it.  Its  anterior  portion,  which  is  cov- 
ered by  the  ocular  conjunctiva,  is  commonly  known  as  the  "white  of 
the  eye."  In  form  it  is  bell-shaped,  and  the  optic  nerve  pierces  it 
behind  like  a  handle,  the  perforation  being  a  little  to  its  inner  side. 
In  front  the  rim  of  the  bell  becomes  continuous  with  the  cornea.  The 
outer  surface  of  the  membrane  receives  the  insertion  of  the  muscles 
of  the  eyeball.  The  coat  is  thickest  over  the  posterior  part  of  the  eye- 
ball, and  is  thinnest  a  little  behind  its  junction  with  the  cornea. 

The  cornea  is  the  anterior  transparent  portion  of  the  outer  coat  of 
the  eyeball.  It  may  be  viewed  as  a  part  of  the  sclerotic  specially 
modified  to  permit  the  passage  of  light  into  the  interior  of  the  eye. 
Its  outline  is  elliptical,  approaching  the  circular,  and  its  greatest 
diameter  is  transverse.  At  its  periphery  it  joins  the  sclerotic  by  con- 
tinuity of  tissue,  and  as  the  edge  of  the  cornea  is  slightly  beveled  and 
has  the  fibrous  sclerotic  carried  for  a  little  distance  forward  on  its 
outward  surface,  the  cornea  is  generally  said  to  be  fitted  into  the  scle- 
rotic like  a  watch  glass  into  its  rim.  The  venous  canal  of  Schlemm 
runs  circularly  around  the  eyeball  at  the  line  of  junction  of  the  scle- 
rotic and  cornea.  The  anterior  surface  of  the  cornea  is  exquisitely 
smooth,  and  is  kept  moist  by  the  lachrymal  secretion.  Its  posterior 
surface  forms  the  anterior  boundary  of  the  chamber  in  which  the 
aqueous  humor  is  contained.  The  cornea  is  of  uniform  thickness  and 
is  of  a  dense,  almost  horny,  consistence.  Save  a  few  capillary  loops 
of  blood  vessels  at  its  margin  the  cornea  is  without  vessels.  Its  struc- 
ture is  comprised  of  five  distinct  layers. 

The  aqueous  humor  occupies  a  chamber  which  is  bounded  in  front 
by  the  posterior  surface  of  the  cornea  and  behind  by  the  capsule  and 
suspensory  ligament  of  the  lens  and  by  the  ends  of  the  ciliary  proc- 
esses. It  is  across  this  chamber  that  the  iris  extends.  The  aqueous 
humor  is  composed  of  water,  with  a  small  proportion  of  common  salt 
in  solution. 

The  iris  is  a  muscular,  pigmented  curtain  extending  across  the  inte- 
rior of  the  eye  and  having  about  its  center  an  aperture  termed  the 
pupil.  By  variations  in  the  size  of  this  aperture  the  amount  of  light 
transmitted  to  the  retina  is  regulated.  It  varies  somewhat  in  color, 
but  is  most  frequently  of  a  yellowish  brown  tint.  Its  anterior  face  is 
bathed  by  the  aqueous  humor.  The  greater  part  of  the  posterior  sur- 
face is  in  contact  with  the  capsule  of  the  lens  and  glides  on  it  during 
the  movements  of  the  curtain.  The  circumferential  border  is  attached 
within  the  junction  of  the  sclerotic  and  cornea.  The  inner  border 
circumscribes  the  pupil,  which  varies  in  outline  according  to  its  size. 


342  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

When  much  contracted  the  pupil  is  a  very  elongated  ellipse,  the  long 
axis  of  which  is  in  the  line  joining  the  nasal  and  temporal  angles  of 
the  eyelids.  It  contains  muscular  tissue,  which,  by  contracting  or 
relaxing,  lessens  or  dilates  the  pupillary  opening. 

The  choroid  coat  is  a  bell-shaped,  dark  membrane  which  lines  the 
sclerotic.  Its  outer  surface  has  a  shaggy  appearance,  due  to  the  tunica 
fusca,  which  unites  the  two  coats.  Between  the  two  the  ciliar}^  ves- 
sels and  nerves  pass  forward.  Behind  it  is  pierced  by  the  optic  nerve ; 
in  front  it  is  continued  as  the  ciliary  processes,  which  form,  as  it  were, 
the  rim  of  the  bell.  The  ciliary  processes  form  a  fringe  around  the 
slightly  inverted  rim  of  the  choroid. 

The  retina  is  the  most  delicate  of  the  coats  of  the  eyeball.  It  is 
formed  by  the  expansion  of  the  optic  nerve  on  the  inner  surface  of 
the  choroid,  and,  like  that  coat,  it  is  bell-shaped.  Its  inner  surface 
is  molded  on  the  vitreous  humor.  The  nervous  structures  of  the 
retina  terminate  at  a  wavy  line,  the  ora  serrata,  behind  the  ciliary  proc- 
esses. Ten  distinct  layers  are  described  as  composing  the  thickness 
of  the  retina. 

The  lens  is  situated  behind  the  pupil,  and  is  contained  within  a  cap- 
sule of  its  own. 

The  capsule  is  a  close-fitting,  firm,  transparent  membrane.  The 
anterior  surface  forms  the  posterior  boundary  of  the  cavity  in  which 
the  aqueous  humor  is  contained,  and  the  iris  in  its  movement  glides 
on  it.     The  posterior  surface  is  in.  contact  with  the  vitreous  humor. 

The  vitreous  humor  occupies  four-fifths  of  the  interior  of  the  eye- 
ball. It  is  globular  in  form,  with  a  depression  in  front  for  the  lodg- 
ment of  the  lens.  It  is  colorless,  transparent,  and  of  a  consistency 
like  thin  jelly.  It  is  enveloped  by  a  dehcate  capsule — the  hyaloid 
membrane — which  is  connected  in  front  with  the  suspensory  ligament 
of  the  lens,  and  ends  by  joining  the  capsule  behind  the  lens. 

The  orbital  cavity,  situated  at  the  side  of  the  head,  is  circumscribed 
by  a  bony  margin;  posteriorly,  however,  there  are  no  bony  walls,  and 
the  cavity  is  confounded  with  the  depression  above  and  behind  the 
orbit — the  temporal  fossa.  A  fibrous  membrane  completes  this  cavity 
and  keeps  it  distinct  from  the  temporal  fossa.  This  membrane — the 
ocular  sheath  or  periorbita — is  attached  posteriorly  around  the  open- 
ing in  the  back  part  of  the  orbital  cavity  (the  orbital  hiatus)  and  ante- 
riorly to  its  inner  face;  then  it  becomes  prolonged  beyond  the  margin 
to  form  the  fibrous  membrane  of  the  eyelids.  The  orbital  cavity  has 
the  form,  when  complete,  of  a  regular  hollow  cone,  open  at  its  base  and 
closed  at  the  apex.  The  opening  of  this  cone  is  directed  forward, 
downward,  and  outward.  Independently  of  the  globe  of  the  eye,  this 
cavity  lodges  the  muscles  that  move  it,  the  membrana  nictitans,  and 
the  lachrymal  gland. 

The  muscles  of  the  eye  are  seven  in  number — one  retractor,  four 
straight,  and  two  oblique.     The  retractor  oculi  envelops  the  optic 


DISEASES    OF    THE    EYE,   ETC.  343 

nerve  between  the  brain  and  the  ball  of  the  eye,  and  becomes  attached 
upon  the  external  face  of  the  sclerotic  tunic.  When  this  muscle  con- 
tracts, it  draws  the  globe  back  into  the  orbit,  away  from  the  light. 
The  superior,  inferior,  external,  and  internal  recti  or  straight  muscles 
are  attached  to  the  back  part  of  the  orbital  sheath,  and  spread  forward 
in  four  bundles  over  the  globe  of  the  eye,  where  they  become  inserted 
by  a  fibrous  expansion  into  the  sclerotic  at  the  margin  of  the  cornea. 
When  they  act  singly  they  turn  the  globe  either  upward,  downward, 
inward,  or  outward.  The  great  oblique,  by  its  action,  pivots  the  eye 
inward  and  upward  in  the  orbit.  The  small  oblique  turns  the  eye 
outward  and  downward. 

The  eyelids  are  two  movable  curtains,  superior  and  inferior,  which 
cover  and  protect  the  eye  in  front.  They  are  attached  to  the  circum- 
ference of  the  orbit,  and  have  a  convex  external  face  formed  by  the 
skin  and  a  concave  internal  face  molded  on  the  anterior  surface  of 
the  eye,  and  are  lined  by  the  conjunctiva,  which  is  reflected  above  and 
below  on  the  eyeball.  The  border  of  each  lid  is  slightly  beveled  on  the 
inner  side,  and  shows  the  openings  of  the  Meibomian  glands.  These 
glands  secrete  an  unctuous  fluid,  which  is  thrown  out  on  the  border 
of  the  lids,  the  function  of  which  is  to  facilitate  their  movements  and 
enable  them  to  retain  the  tears  in  the  ocular  cavity.  The  eyelid  is 
composed  of  a  fibrous  inner  membrane  ending  in  a  stiff  arch  near  the 
border,  a  muscle  to  close  the  lid,  another  to  open  it,  the  skin  externally, 
and  the  conjunctival  mucous  membrane  internally.  The  border  of 
each  lid  is  covered  and  protected  by  long  hairs,  to  prevent  floating 
particles  of  matter  in  the  atmosphere  gaining  entrance  to  the  eye. 

The  membrana  nictitans,  which  is  also  named  the  third  eyelid,  wink- 
ing eyelid,  haw,  etc.,  is  placed  at  the  inner  angle  of  the  eye,  whence 
it  extends  over  the  eyeball  to  relieve  it  from  foreign  bodies  which  may 
fall  upon  it.  It  has  for  its  framework  a  fibro-cartilage,  irregular  in 
shape,  thick,  and  nearly  prismatic  at  its  base,  and  thin  anteriorly 
where  it  is  covered  by  the  conjunctiva;  behind,  it  is  loosely  attached 
to  a  fatty  cushion. 

The  lachrymal  gland  is  situated  between  the  orbital  process  and  the 
upper  part  of  the  eyeball.  It  secretes  the  tears  destined  to  lubricate 
the  anterior  surface  of  the  eye.  This  fluid  escapes  upon  the  organ  at 
the  outer  angle  of  the  lids,  and  is  carried  between  them  and  the  eye- 
ball toward  the  inner  angle. 

The  caruncula  lachrymalis  is  a  small  round  body,  frequently  entirely 
or  partially  black,  situated  in  the  inner  angle  of  the  eye,  and  is  designed 
to  direct  the  tears  toward  the  puncta  lachrymalia. 

The  puncta  lachrymalia  are  two  little  openings,  situated  one  in  each 
eyelid,  a  short  distance  from  the  inner  corner,  which  admit  the  tears 
into  the  lachrymal  ducts  leading  to  the  lachrymal  canal,  from  whence 
they  are  emptied  into  the  nasal  passages. 


344  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

CONJUNCTIVITIS    (SIMPLE   OPHTHALMIA). 

This  is  an  inflammation  of  the  conjunctival  mucous  membrane  of  the 
eyeball  and  lids;  in  severe  cases  the  deeper  coats  of  the  eye  become 
involved,  seriously  complicating  the  attack. 

Causes. — It  may  result  from  a  bruise  of  the  eyelid;  from  the  intro- 
duction of  foreign  matters  into  the  eye,  such  as  chaff,  hayseed,  dust, 
gnats,  etc. ;  from  exposure  to  cold ;  poisonous  or  irritating  vapors  aris- 
ing from  filthiness  of  stable.  Dust,  cinders,  or  sand  blown  into  the 
eyes  during  transportation  frequently  induce  conjunctivitis. 

Symptoms. — A  profuse  flow  of  tears,  closure  of  the  eyelids  from 
intolerance  of  light,  retraction  of  the  eyeball  and  corresponding  pro- 
trusion of  the  haw,  disinclination  to  move,  diminution  of  milk  secre- 
tion, etc.  On  parting  the  lids  the  lining  membrane  is  found  injected 
with  an  excess  of  blood,  giving  to  it  a  red  and  swollen  appearance; 
the  sclerotic,  or  white  of  the  eye,  is  bloodshot  and  the  cornea  may  be 
cloudy.  If  the  disease  advances,  keratitis  results,  with  its  train  of 
unfavorable  symptoms. 

Treatment. — Careful  examination  should  be  made  to  discover  par- 
ticles of  chaff,  etc. ,  which  may  have  lodged  in  the  eye,  and  upon  the 
discovery  of  such  a  cause  prompt  removal  is  indicated.  This  may  be 
accomplished  by  flushing  the  eye  with  warm  water  by  means  of  a 
syringe,  or,  if  the  foreign  substance  is  adherent  to  the  eyeball  or  lid,  it 
may  be  scooped  out  with  the  handle  of  a  teaspoon  or  some  other  blunt 
instrument.  To  relieve  the  congestion  and  local  irritation,  a  wash 
composed  of  boracic  acid  in  freshly  boiled  water,  20  grains  to  the 
ounce,  or  acetate  of  zinc,  5  grains  to  the  ounce  of  pure  soft  water, 
may  be  used,  to  which  may  be  added  20  drops  of  laudanum.  A 
few  drops  of  this  should  be  placed  in  the  eye  with  a  camel's-hair  pen- 
cil or  soft  feather  three  or  four  times  daily.  The  animal  should  be 
placed  in  a  cool,  darkened  stable,  and  then  a  cloth  folded  into  several 
thicknesses  should  be  fastened  to  the  horns  in  such  a  manner  as  to 
reach  below  the  eyes.  This  should  be  kept  wet  with  cold  water  dur- 
ing the  day  and  removed  at  night.  If  there  is  much  fever  and  con- 
stitutional disturbance  it  becomes  advisable  to  administer  1  pound  of 
Epsom  salts  dissolved  in  1  quart  of  water. 

INFECTIOUS  CATARRHAL  CONJUNCTIVITIS  (SPECIFIC   OPHTHALMIA). 

This  generally  appears  in  an  enzootic  or  epizootic  form,  and  affects 
quite  a  number  in  the  herd.  It  is  distinctly  a  contagious  disease  and 
may  be  brought  into  a  previously  healthy  herd  by  one  animal  with 
sore  eyes.  It  may  continue  in  a  herd  for  a  season  or  for  several  years, 
affecting  all  newly  purchased  animals.  It  is  seldom  seen  in  the  win- 
ter months.     It  affects  old  and  young  animals  alike. 

Symptoms. — This  form  of  catarrhal  conjunctivitis  is  characterized 
chiefly  by  a  mucopurulent  discharge  from  the  eyes,  an  intense  degree 


DISEASES    OF    THE    EYE,   ETC.  345 

of  inflammation  of  the  mucous  membrane,  accompanied  by  swelling 
of  the  eyelids  and  an  early  opacity  of  the  cornea.  The  flow  of  tears 
is  mixed  with  pus,  sometimes  streaked  with  blood,  and  the  skin  of  the 
face  is  kept  moist  and  soiled.  The  eyes  are  kept  continually  closed. 
The  implication  of  the  cornea  in  the  disease  frequently  blinds  the 
animal  for  a  time,  and  occasionally  suppurative  keratitis,  ulcers  of 
the  cornea,  or  staphyloma  supervene.  The  attack  is  marked  from  the 
onset  by  fever,  partial  loss  of  appetite,  partial  loss  of  milk,  suspended 
rumination,  and  separation  from  the  herd. 

Treatment. — The  animal  should  be  housed  in  a  cool,  dark  stable, 
supplied  with  plenty  of  fresh  water  to  drink  and  soft  succulent  food. 
Administer  1  pound  of  Epsom  salts — if  a  very  large  animal,  use  Im- 
pounds— dissolved  in  2  or  3  pints  of  water.  For  an  eyewash  take 
boracic  acid,  1  dram,  and  pour  4  ounces  of  boiling  water  over  it.  Use 
this  wash  as  often  as  convenient,  applying  it  directly  to  the  eye.  In 
the  majority  of  cases  improvement  becomes  manifest  in  a  few  days, 
and  the  eye  will  become  clear  and  free  from  inflammation  in  ten  days 
or  two  weeks.  Where  the  disease  develops  ulceration  of  the  cornea, 
or  well-marked  deep-seated  keratitis,  the  treatment  recommended  for 
those  conditions  should  be  adopted. 

Prevention. — Whenever  this  affection  appears  in  a  herd  all  the 
unaffected  animals  should  be  moved  to  another  locality — that  is,  to 
fields  which  possess  a  different  character  of  soil  and  feed.  The  water 
should  also  be  changed,  especially  if  they  have  been  obtaining  their 
drinking  water  from  a  stagnant  pond. 

KERATITIS    (CORNEITIS). 

This  is  an  inflammation  of  the  cornea  proper,  although  the  sclerotica 
at  the  corneal  border  becomes  involved  to  some  extent.  It  may  be 
divided  into  diffuse  and  suppurative. 

Causes.  — The  cornea  constitutes  the  most  prominent  portion  of  the 
eyeball,  hence  it  is  subject  to  a  variety  of  injuries — scratches,  pricks, 
contusions,  lacerations,  etc.  Inflammation  of  the  cornea  may  also  be 
due  to  the  extension  of  catarrhal  conjunctivitis  or  intraocular  dis- 
ease, and  it  may  occasionally  occur  without  any  perceptible  cause. 

Symptoms. — Diffuse  keratitis  is  characterized  by  an  exudation  into 
and  an  opacity  of  the  cornea.  The  swelling  of  the  anterior  part  of 
the  eyeball  may  be  of  an  irregular  form,  in  points  resembling  small 
bladders,  or  it  may  commence  at  the  periphery  of  the  cornea  by  an 
abrupt  thickening,  which  gradually  diminishes  as  it  approaches  the 
center.  If  the  whole  cornea  is  affected  it  has  a  uniform  gray  or  gray- 
ish white  appearance.  The  flow  of  tears  is  not  so  marked  as  in  con- 
junctivitis, nor  is  the  suffering  so  acute,  though  both  conditions  often 
exist  together.  Both  eyes  usually  become  affected,  unless  it  is  due  to 
an  external  injury. 

In  favorable  cases  the  exudate  within  the  cornea  begins  to  disappear 


346  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

within  a  week  or  ten  da37s,  the  eye  becomes  clearer,  and  regains  its 
transparency,  until  it  eventually  is  fully  restored.  In  unfavorable 
cases  blood  vessels  form  and  are  seen  to  traverse  the  affected  part  from 
periphery  to  center,  vision  becomes  entirely  lost,  and  permanent 
opacity  (albugo  or  leucoma)  remains.  When  it  arises  from  constitu- 
tional causes  recurrence  is  frequent,  leaving  the  corneal  membrane 
more  cloudy  after  each  attack,  until  the  sight  is  permanently  lost. 

Suppurative  keratitis  maj7  be  a  sequel  of  diffuse  keratitis;  more 
commonly,  however,  it  abruptly  becomes  manifest  by  a  raised  swelling 
on  or  near  the  center  of  the  cornea  that  very  soon  assumes  a  yellow, 
turbid  color,  while  the  periphery  of  the  swelling  fades  into  an  opaque 
ring.  Suppurative  keratitis  is  seldom  noticed  for  the  first  day  or  two — 
not  until  distinct  pus  formation  has  occurred.  When  it  is  the  result 
of  diffuse  keratitis,  ulceration  and  the  escape  of  the  contained  pus  is 
inevitable;  otherwise  the  pus  may  be  absorbed.  When  the  deeper 
membranes  covering  the  anterior  chamber  of  the  eye  become  involved, 
the  contents  of  this  chamber  may  be  evacuated  and  the  sight  perma- 
nently lost. 

Treatment. — Place  the  animal  in  a  darkened  stable,  give  green  or 
sloppy  food,  and  administer  4  ounces  of  Glauber's  salts  (sulphate  of 
soda)  dissolved  in  a  quart  of  water  once  a  day.  If  the  animal  is 
debilitated  a  tablespoonf  ul  of  tonic  powder  should  be  mixed  with  the 
feed  three  times  a  day.  This  may  be  composed  of  equal  parts  by 
weight  of  powdered  copperas  (sulphate  of  iron),  gentian,  and  ginger. 
As  an  application  for  the  eye  nitrate  of  silver,  3  grains  to  the  ounce 
of  soft  water,  with  the  addition  of  1  grain  sulphate  of  morphia,  may 
be  used  several  times  a  day.  If  ulceration  occurs,  it  is  well  to  dust 
powdered  calomel  into  the  eye  twice  daily,  or  to  the  eyelids  apply  a 
salve  of  yellow  oxide  of  mercur}7,  5  per  cent  in  lanolin.  Some  of  this 
may  go  onto  the  cornea  and  beneath  the  lids.  Apply  twice  daily. 
(See  "  Ulcers  of  the  cornea.") 

To  remove  opacity,  after  the  inflammation  has  subsided,  apply  a 
few  drops  of  the  following  solution  twice  a  day:  Iodide  of  potassium, 
15  grains;  tincture  sanguinaria,  20  drops;  distilled  water,  2  ounces; 
mix. 

Sometimes  keratitis  exists  in  a  herd  as  a  transmissible  disease, 
spreading  like  infectious  conjunctivitis.  Calomel,  applied  to  the  eye, 
is  especially  useful  in  such  cases. 

ULCERS   OF   THE    CORNEA. 

An  ulcer  comes  from  erosion  or  is  the  consequence  of  the  bursting 
of  a  small  abscess,  which  may  have  formed  beneath  the  delicate  layer 
of  the  conjunctiva,  continued  over  the  cornea;  or,  in  the  very  sub- 
stance of  the  cornea  itself,  after  violent  keratitis,  or  catarrhal  con- 
junctivitis. At  other  times  the  ulcer  is  produced  by  bruises,  scratches, 
and  other  direct  injury  of  the  cornea. 


DISEASES    OF    THE    EYE,   ETC.  347 

Symptoms. — The  ulcer  is  generally  at  first  of  a  pale  gray  color,  with 
its  edges  high  and  irregular,  discharges  instead  of  pus  an  acrid 
watery  substance,  and  has  a  tendency  to  spread  widely  and  deeply. 
If  it  spreads  superficially  upon  the  cornea,  the  transparency  of  this 
membrane  is  lost;  if  it  proceeds  deeply  and  penetrates  the  anterior 
chamber  of  the  aqueous  humor,  this  fluid  escapes,  the  iris  may  pro- 
lapse, and  the  lens  and  the  vitreous  humor  become  expelled,  thus  pro- 
ducing a  destruction  of  the  whole  organ. 

Treatment. — It  is  of  the  greatest  importance,  as  soon  as  an  ulcer 
appears  upon  the  cornea,  to  prevent  its  growing  larger.  The  corrod- 
ing process  must  be  converted  into  a  healthy  one.  For  this  purpose 
nothing  is  more  reliable  than  the  use  of  solid  nitrate  of  silver.  A 
stick  of  nitrate  of  silver  should  be  scraped  to  a  point;  the  animal's 
head  should  be  firmly  secured;  an  assistant  should  part  the  lids;  if 
necessary  the  haw  must  be  secured  within  the  corner  of  the  eye  and 
then  all  parts  of  the  ulcer  should  be  lightly  touched  with  the  silver. 
After  waiting  a  few  minutes  the  eye  should  be  thoroughly  washed  out 
with  a  very  weak  solution  of  common  salt.  This  operation  generally 
has  to  be  repeated  once  more  at  the  end  of  three  or  four  days.  If 
healthy  action  succeeds,  the  ulcer  assumes  a  delicate  fleshy  tint,  and 
the  former  redness  around  the  ulcer  disappears  in  proportion  as  the 
ulcer  heals. 

In  superficial  abrasions  of  the  cornea,  where  there  is  no  distinct 
excavation,  this  caustic  treatment  is  not  needed.  The  eye  should  bo 
bathed  with  sulphate  of  zinc,  30  grains  to  half  a  pint  of  soft  water- 
several  times  a  day,  and  protected  against  exposure  to  cold  air  and 
sunlight.  Excessive  ulceration  sometimes  assumes  the  form  of  fun- 
gous excrescence  upon  the  cornea,  appearing  to  derive  its  nourish- 
ment from  loops  of  blood  vessels  of  the  conjunctiva.  Under  these 
circumstances  the  fungoid  mass  must  be  cut  away,  and  the  wounc 
cauterized  with  the  nitrate  of  silver,  or  else  the  eye  will  soon  be 
destroyed.  When  ulcers  of  the  cornea  appear  indolent,  with  a  tend- 
ency to  slough,  in  addition  to  the  treatment  already  prescribed,  tonic 
powders  should  be  given  twice  a  day  mixed  with  the  feed ;  powdered 
copperas,  gentian,  and  ginger,  equal  parts  by  weight.  Dose,  one 
tablespoonful. 

STAPHYLOMA. 

This  is  a  disease  of  the  eyeball,  in  which  the  cornea  loses  its  trans- 
parency, rises  above  the  level  of  the  eye,  and  even  projects  beyond  the 
eyelids  in  the  form  of  an  elongated,  whitish,  or  pearl-colored  tumor, 
which  is  sometimes  smooth,  at  other  times  uneven. 

Causes. — Inflammation  is  the  only  known  cause,  although  it  may  not 
occur  immediately;  it  frequently  follows  catarrhal  conjunctivitis  and 
keratitis  as  a  sequela. 

Treatment. — In  a  few  cases  restoration  of  sight  may  be  effected  by 


348  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

puncturing  the  projecting  tumor,  and  treating  it  afterwards  with  nitrate 
of  silver  in  the  same  manner  as  prescribed  for  ulceration  of  the  cor- 
nea. In  some  cases  spontaneous  rupture  has  occurred,  and  healing 
without  any  treatment  at  all. 

CATARACT. 

In  cataract  the  crystalline  lens  becomes  opaque  and  loses  its  trans- 
parency, the  power  of  refraction  is  lost — the  animal  can  not  see. 

Causes. — Cataract  generally  arises  from  a  diminution  (atrophy)  or 
other  change  in  the  nutrition  of  the  lens;  it  may  occur  as  a  result  of 
inflammation  of  the  deep  structures  of  the  eye.  Cataract  may  be  sim- 
ple, or  complicated  with  amaurosis,  adhesions,  etc. 

Symptoms. — It  is  known  by  the  whiteness  or  loss  of  transparency 
of  the  lens,  although  the  pupil  dilates  and  contracts.  Sight  may  be 
totally  lost;  however,  evidence  is  usually  manifested  that  the  animal 
distinguishes  light  when  brought  out  of  a  darkened  stable.  For  the 
most  part  the  formation  of  cataract  takes  place  slowly,  the  cases  in 
which  it  originates  very  quickly  being  but  few. 

Treatment. — There  is  only  one  method  for  the  treatment  of  cata- 
ract— a  surgical  operation  for  the  removal  of  the  lens;  but  this  is  not 
advisable,  for  the  sight  can  not  be  perfectly  restored,  and  objects 
would  be  seen  imperfectly  without  the  aid  of  glasses. 

AMAUROSIS. 

A  paralysis  of  the  nerve  of  sight  or  the  expansion  of  the  retina. 

Causes. — This  is  the  result  of  concussion  from  a  blow  upon  the  fore- 
head, fracture  of  bone  over  the  eye  (causing  downward  pressure),  rheu- 
matic inflammation  of  the  optic  nerve,  or  from  extension  of  deep 
inflammation  of  the  eye  involving  the  retina.  It  sometimes  occurs  as 
the  result  of  excessive  loss  of  blood  or  of  great  debility. 

Symptoms. — In  this  disease  seldom  any  observation  is  made  until 
the  animal  in  its  gait  and  by  its  action  indicates  blindness.  Gener- 
ally both  eyes  are  affected.  The  eyeball  remains  clear,  and  the  pupil 
permanently  dilated.     No  response  to  light  is  manifested. 

Treatment. — If  due  to  debility,  loss  of  blood,  or  associated  with 
rheumatism,  general  blood  tonics  may  be  given  in  the  feed,  namely, 
powdered  sulphate  of  iron,  1  dram;  gentian,  2  drams;  nux  vomica, 
one-half  dram;  to  be  given  twice  a  day.  In  cases  of  rheumatism, 
one-half  ounce  of  saltpeter  may  be  added. 

FILARIA   OCULI    (WORM   IN  THE   EYE). 

Filaria  oculi  (provisionally  taken  as  the  larva  of  F.  cervina). — This 
is  a  small  white  worm,  and  is  found  in  the  eye,  swimming  in  the 
aqueous  fluid  in  the  anterior  chamber.  It  may  be  apparently  harm- 
less for  a  long  time,  but  will  eventually  induce  keratitis  with  inflam- 
matory exudations. 

Treatment. — The  cornea  may  be  punctured  at  its  upper  and  outer 


DISEASES    OF    THE    EYE,   ETC.  349 

margin,  and  the  worm  squeezed  out  with  the  aqueous  humor.  The 
latter  will  be  formed  again.  This  operation  will  result  disastrously 
unless  the  greatest  care  and  skill  are  employed. 

CORNEAL  DERMATOMA  (HAIRY  TUMOR  ON  THE  EYEBALL). 

In  a  few  instances  this  has  been  seen  as  a  congenital  growth.  The 
tumor  arises  from  the  cornea  or  the  sclerotic,  covered  by  its  respective 
membrane,  with  a  growth  of  hair  upon  its  surface.  These  tumors  may 
be  quite  prominent  or  flattened,  and  are  dark  in  color;  the  hair  may 
protrude  between  the  eyelids,  giving  the  animal  the  appearance  of 
having  a  double  eyelid. 

Treatment. — A  surgical  operation  becomes  necessarj^  for  their  re- 
moval— one  requiring  a  skilled  operator. 

STRABISMUS    (SQUINTING). 

This  is  a  very  rare  affection  among  cattle.  Strabismus  may  be 
either  single  or  double — affecting  one  eye  or  both.  It  is  due  to  a 
paralysis,  or  a  weakening  of  one  of  the  straight  muscles  of  the  eye- 
ball. Generally  it  is  a  congenital  defect,  and  the  squinting  is  toward 
the  nose — strabismus  convergens.  It  is  best  not  to  attempt  to  remedy 
the  defect,  as  the  risk  in  an  operation  is  greater  than  the  chances  of 
success  warrant. 

PTERYGIUM. 

This  term  is  applied  to  a  fleshy-colored  membrane,  triangular  in 
form,  which  most  frequently  grows  from  the  inner  angle  of  the  eye 
and  extends  over  the  cornea,  thus  interfering  with  vision.  It  may 
grow  from  the  outer  angle,  or  even  from  the  superior  or  inferior  hem- 
isphere of  the  eyeball.  The  figure  is  invariably  that  of  a  triangle, 
with  its  base  on  the  white  of  the  eye,  and  its  apex  more  or  less 
advanced  over  the  cornea  toward  its  center. 

The  distinguishing  characteristics  are  the  constancy  of  the  triangu- 
lar form,  and  the  facility  with  which  the  whole  of  it  may  be  taken 
hold  of  with  a  pair  of  forceps  and  raised  into  a  fold  on  the  cornea. 
Every  other  kind  of  excrescence  attached  to  this  membrane  continues 
firmly  adherent  to  it,  and  can  not  be  folded  and  raised  from  the  sur- 
face of  the  cornea  in  any  manner  whatever. 

Treatment. — Raise  the  fold  and  dissect  it  away  from  all  points  of 
attachment. 

TRICHIASIS   (INVERSION   OF  THE   EYELASHES). 

In  the  simplest  form  the  eyelashes  bend  inwardly,  touching  the 
eyeball,  causing  irritation  and  simple  conjunctivitis.  It  may  be  also 
associated  with  entropion. 

Treatment. — The  offending  eyelashes  should  be  cut  off  or  pulled 
out.  In  cases  where  the  natural  growth  of  the  eyelashes  is  directed 
inward  an  operation  similar  to  that  for  entropion  becomes  necessary. 


350  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

ENTROPION    (INVERSION   OF   THE   EYELID). 

In  inversion  of  the  eyelid  the  eyelashes  soon  irritate  the  anterior 
face  of  the  cornea  and  produce  more  or  less  inflammation  and  opacity. 
The  inversion  may  be  due  to  the  growth  of  a  tumor  within  or  without 
the  lid,  to  abscess,  laceration,  or  injury,  causing  the  lid  to  lose  its 
natural  conformity  to  the  eyeball,  ulcerations,  etc.  Surgical  inter- 
ference, in  either  case,,  becomes  necessary  to  restore  the  lid  to  its 
natural  direction. 

ECTROPION    (EVERSION   OF  THE   EYELID). 

This  serves  to  injure  the  eye  by  permitting  dust  and  other  foreign 
substances  to  gain  admission  to  the  eye,  and  interferes  with  the 
natural  removal  of  such  substances. 

Treatment. — A  delicate  surgical  operation — the  removal  of  an  ellip- 
tic section  of  the  palpebral  conjunctiva — may  remedy  the  defect. 

TUMORS   OF   THE   EYELIDS. 

Occasionally  tumors  form  upon  or  within  the  substance  of  the  eye- 
lid. These  may  be  of  a  fibroid  nature,  and  arise  from  the  follicles  of  the 
hair  as  sebaceous  tumors,  or  may  be  in  the  form  of  an  abscess.  In  debili- 
tating diseases  the  lids  sometimes  become  swollen  and  puffy,  a  condi- 
tion which  might  possibly  be  taken  for  the  growth  of  a  tumor.  This 
generally  disappears  with  the  improvement  of  the  health  of  the  animal. 
Warts  not  uncommonly  appear  on  or  about  the  eyelids  of  cattle. 

Treatment. — The  removal  of  a  tumor  in  the  vicinity  of  so  delicate 
an  organ  as  the  eye  should  not  be  attempted  by  anyone  not  qualified 
for  the  operation. 

LACERATION   OF  THE   EYELID. 

This  accident  is  not  uncommon  where  cattle  are  fenced  in  by  barbed 
wire;  an  animal  may  be  caught  under  the  eyelid  by  the  horn  of  another; 
it  may  occur  in  the  stable  by  means  of  a  projecting  nail  or  splinter  of 
wood. 

Treatment. — The  edges  of  the  wound  should  be  brought  together 
closely  and  correctly,  by  means  of  pins  pushed  through  very  nearly 
the  whole  thickness  of  the  lid,  extending  through  each  lip  of  the  torn 
part;  then  a  waxed  silk  or  linen  thread  must  be  wound  over  each  end 
of  the  pin,  crossing  the  torn  line  in  the  form  of  the  figure  8  (PI.  XXVIII, 
fig.  9);  the  pins  should  be  placed  about  three-eighths  of  an  inch  apart. 
The  projecting  ends  of  the  pins  should  be  cut  off  close  to  the  ligature, 
and  the  parts  kept  anointed  with  vaseline,  to  which  has  been  added  5 
per  cent  of  creolin.  In  place  of  a  pin  suture,  silver  wire,  catgut,  or 
strong  linen  thread  may  be  used  in  the  way  of  an  ordinary  suture. 

FOREIGN   BODIES   IN   THE   EYE. 

Splinters  of  wood,  hedge  thorns,  pieces  of  cornstalk  or  leaves,  stems 
of  hay  or  straw,  twigs  of  trees,  or  weeds  may  penetrate  into  the  eye, 


DISEASES    OF    THE    EYE,   ETC.  351 

break  off  and  remain,  causing  inflammation,  blindness,  abscess,  etc. 
These  substances  may  penetrate  the  eyeball,  but  more  frequently  they 
glide  off  and  enter  between  the  eye  and  the  ocular  sheath. 

Treatment. — Their  removal  becomes  often  a  very  difficult  task,  from 
the  fact  that  the  organ  is  so  extremely  sensitive,  and  the  retracting 
power  so  strong  as  to  necessitate  casting  the  animal,  or  even  the 
administration  of  sufficient  chloroform  to  render  it  completely  insen- 
sible. The  removal,  however,  is  of  paramount  importance,  and  the 
after  treatment  depends  upon  the  extent  and  location  of  the  injury — 
cold  water  compress  over  the  injured  eye,  the  application  of  mild 
astringent  and  cooling  washes,  such  as  acetate  or  sulphate  of  zinc,  5 
grains  to  the  ounce  of  water.  When  there  is  extreme  suffering  from 
pain  a  5  per  cent  solution  of  atropia  or  morphia,  5  grains  to  the  ounce 
of  water,  may.be  dropped  into  the  eye,  alternating  with  the  cooling 
wash  several  times  a  day.  When  abscesses  form  within  the  orbit  a 
free  opening  must  be  maintained  for  the  discharge  of  pus.  In  deep 
penetrating  wounds  of  the  eye  there  is  a  great  tendency  to  the  forma- 
tion of  a  fungus  growth,  which  often  necessitates  the  enucleation  of 
the  whole  eyeball. 

ORBITAL  AND   PERIORBITAL   ABSCESS. 

Orbital  abscess  may  form  outside  of  the  globe  and  within  the  orbital 
sheath,  as  the  result  of  a  previous  wound  of  the  parts,  or  from  frac- 
ture of  the  bony  orbit,  etc.  Periorbital  abscess  commences  outside  of 
the  ocular  sheath,  beneath  the  periosteal  membrane  covering  the  bone, 
and  is  usually  the  result  of  a  diseased  or  fractured  bone  which  enters 
into  the  formation  of  the  orbital  cavity. 

Symptoms. — Orbital  abscess  is  manifested  by  a  pushing  forward  of 
the  eyeball  (exophthalmos),  a  swelling  of  the  conjunctiva  and  eyelids. 
The  bulging  out  of  the  eye  is  in  proportion  to  the  size  of  the  abscess; 
the  movement  of  the  eye  is  fixed,  due  to  the  painf  ulness  of  any  volun- 
tary movement  of  the  eyeball.  Periorbital  abscess  generally  pushes 
the  eye  to  one  side;  otherwise  the  symptoms  are  similar  to  the  forego- 
ing. The  pain  generally  is  very  great;  paralysis  of  the  nerve  of  sight 
may  occur,  and  death  may  be  caused  by  the  abscess  extending  to  the 
brain. 

Treatment. — The  treatment  for  either  orbital  or  periorbital  abscess 
is  the  same  as  that  for  abscess  occurring  in  any  other  part  of  the 
body — a  free  opening  for  the  escape  of  imprisoned  pus.  This  should 
be  made  as  soon  as  the  true  nature  of  the  disease  is  recognized. 
Afterwards  antiseptic  injections  may  be  needed  to  stimulate  healthy 
granulation  and  to  prevent  septic  infection  of  the  ocular  membranes. 
For  this  purpose  a  saturated  solution  of  boracic  acid  may  be  used,  or 
listerine  1  part  to  10  of  water.  When  the  fever  runs  high,  Glauber's 
salts  (sulphate  of  soda)  may  be  given  in  4-ounce  doses  once  a  day. 
The  animal  should  be  kept  in  a  darkened  stable,  on  soft  or  green  feed. 


352  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

FRACTURE   OF   THE   ORBIT. 

This  accident  occasionally  occurs  among  belligerent  animals,  or  as 
the  result  of  blows  delivered  by  brutal  attendants.  The  orbital  process 
above  the  eye  may  be  entirely  crushed  in,  pressing  down  upon  the  eye- 
ball. In  such  an  event  the  depressed  bone  should  be  elevated  into  its 
proper  place,  and  if  it  fails  to  unite  it  may  have  to  be  removed  with  saw 
or  chisel.  The  margin  of  the  orbit  may  be  crushed  at  any  point  and 
cause  periorbital  abscess,  or  necrosis  may  result  from  the  presence  of  a 
splinter  of  bone  or  the  excessive  destruction  of  bone.  In  all  cases  of 
fracture  the  animal  should  be  taken  out  of  the  herd  and  kept  by  itself 
until  the  injured  part  heals. 

NECROSIS   OF  THE   BONY  ORBIT. 

As  the  result  of  fracture  of  the  margin  of  the  orbit  a  part  of  the 
injured  bone  may  become  necrosed  (dead),  and  periostitis  and  perior- 
bital abscess  will  follow  as  a  consequence.  The  discovery  of  this  dis- 
ease will  at  first  resemble  abscess,  but  on  making  an  examination  with 
a  probe  after  the  abscess  is  open  we  will  find  the  bone  rough  and 
brittle  at  the  point  of  disease.  The  discharge  will  have  a  peculiar 
fetid  odor,  and  is  often  mixed  with  blood. 

Treatment. — The  affected  bone  must  be  laid  bare  and  all  diseased  por- 
tions removed  by  scraping,  or  if  necessary  with  saw  or  chisel,  disre- 
garding the  extent  of  the  injury  or  the  size  of  the  wound  necessary  to 
be  inflicted.  A  large  portion  of  the  bony  orbit  maybe  removed*  with- 
out serious  danger  to  the  eye,  provided  the  eyeball  itself  has  not  been 
previously  affected  by  the  disease  or  involved  in  the  original  injury. 

TUMORS   OF   THE   ORBIT. 

A  fungous  tumor  of  the  eyeball  or  orbit  occasionally  appears,  which 
is  designated  fungus  hcematodes.  This  may  arise  without  any  appre- 
ciable cause,  or  as  the  result  of  a  wound.  It  frequently  commences 
within  the  eyeball  as  a  small,  red  mass,  eventually  bursts  through,  and 
pushes  its  way  outside  of  the  orbit  as  a  large,  dark-red  mass,  bleed- 
ing at  the  slightest  touch.  It  has  a  peculiar  fetid  odor,  and  early  in 
its  appearance  destroys  sight,  involving  all  the  contents  of  the  orbit, 
not  infrequently  the  bony  wall  itself. 

Unless  the  tumor  is  totally  removed  in  its  early  stage  of  growth, 
together  with  the  eyeball,  the  disease  will  eventually  cause  emaciation 
and  death  of  the  animal.  The  enucleation  of  the  eyeball  should  not  be 
undertaken  by  anyone  unacquainted  with  the  anatomical  structures 
involved  in  such  an  operation.  When  the  operation  is  performed 
early  enough  the  result  is  generally  satisfactory. 

Bony  tumors  of  the  orbit  are  occasional  ly  present  in  cattle,  the  result 
of  bruises,  fractures,  etc.  They  may  encroach  upon  the  contents  of 
the  orbit,  causing  paralysis  of  the  optic  nerve — the  condition  known 


DISEASES    OF   THE    EYE,   ETC.  353 

as  amaurosis — or  by  pressure  upon  the  posterior  surface  of  the  eyeball 
force  it  forward,  or  produce  atrophy  (shrinking).  They  may  displace 
the  eye  in  any  direction,  with  or  without  disturbing  vision. 

Fibrous  tumors  growing  within  the  orbit  will  produce  symptoms 
similar  to  those  of  bony  tumors. 

Treatment. — When  the  outlines  of  the  tumor,  whether  fungoid,  bony, 
or  fibrous,  can  be  detected,  an  operation  for  its  removal  should  be 
undertaken  as  soon  as  the  sight  of  the  eye  is  in  any  manner  disturbed. 

DISLOCATION   OF  THE   EYEBALL. 

The  eyeball  may  be  torn  out  of  its  socket  by  the  horns  of  another 
animal  in  a  fight,  or  it  may  be  crowded  out  with  the  blunt  end  of  a 
club,  cane,  or  probe  in  the  hands  of  a  brutal  attendant. 

Treatment. — When  the  optic  nerve  is  not  lacerated  and  the  retractor 
muscles  at  the  back  of  the  eye  are  intact,  an  attempt  at  reduction  is 
advisable.  This,  however,  must  follow  very  soon  after  the  injury — 
before  swelling  takes  place.  Divide  the  outer  corner  of  the  eyelid  to 
enlarge  the  orifice,  then  by  pressure  with  the  fingers  of  both  hands 
placed  upon  the  sides  of  the  eye  the  ball  may  be  put  back  into  its 
place.  Apply  a  firm  compress  over  the  injured  eye  and  keep  it  con- 
stantly wet  with  cold  water  containing  1  dram  of  sugar  of  lead  to  each 
quart. 

If  the  attempt  at  reduction  proves  unsuccessful  the  artery  at  the 
back  of  the  eye  should  be  ligated,  and  then  the  whole  mass  cut  off  as 
deep  within  the  orbit  as  possible.  The  orbital  cavit}^  should  be  packed 
daily  with  fresh  absorbent  cotton  after  washing  it  out  with  a  3  per 
cent  solution  of  carbolic  acid  or  10  per  cent  dilution  of  creolin. 

INFLAMMATION   AND    ENLARGEMENT   OF   THE    HAW. 

The  haw,  or  membrana  nictitans,  is  subject  to  inflammation  and 
swelling  from  the  extension  of  conjunctivitis,  or  direct  injury  by  for- 
eign substances.  It  presents  a  red,  swollen  appearance,  accompanied 
by  considerable  pain  and  a  profuse  flow  of  tears.  A  slight  scarifica- 
tion with  a  sharp  knife  and  the  application  of  a  cooling  lotion,  such 
as  recommended  for  conjunctivitis,  will  soon  reduce  the  swelling  and 
restore  it  to  its  normal  function. 

There  is,  however,  a  tendency  for  an  inflammation  of  this  membrane 
to  take  on  a  chronic  character,  which  may  eventually  result  in  a  per- 
manent enlargement,  resembling  a  tumor.  When  it  attains  sufficient 
size  to  protrude  itself  permanently  over  the  eye,  or  project  between 
the  lids  so  as  to  obstruct  the  si^ht,  its  removal  may  become  necessary. 
A  threaded  needle  is  passed  through  the  body  of  the  enlarged  mass,  by 
which  the  membrane  is  drawn  out  as  far  as  possible,  then  with  a  blunt 
pair  of  scissors  it  may  be  dissected  away  from  its  attachments.  The 
eye  is  afterwards  treated  with  simple  cooling  lotions. 
61386—08 23 


DISEASES  OF  THE  EAR. 

By  M.  R.  Trumbower,  D.  V.  S. 

[Bevised  in  KOI  by  Leonard  Pearson,  B.  S.,  V.  M.  D.] 

Diseases  of  the  ears  of  cattle  are  not  very  common,  for  the  reasons, 
probably,  that  they  are  not  subjected  to  the  brutality  of  drivers  so 
much  as  horses  and  that  the  horns  to  a  great  extent  protect  them 
against  external  violence. 

OTITIS    (INFLAMMATION   OF   THE   INTERNAL   EAR). 

Inflammation  of  the  deep  part  of  the  ear  is  often  difficult  to  recog- 
nize in  cattle.  It  may  be  caused  by  disease  of  bone  in  that  region, 
from  blows  inflicted  by  drivers,  or  from  injury  by  other  cattle.  Occa- 
sionally the  ear  becomes  involved  in  actinomycosis,  or  the  inflamma- 
tion may  be  the  result  of  a  tuberculous  affection. 

Symptoms. — The  animal  will  hold  its  head  to  one  side,  or  shake  it, 
while  the  ear  itself  is  held  immovable.  The  movement  of  the  jaws  in 
eating  usually  gives  rise  to  a  manifestation  of  pain ;  the  base  of  the  ear 
may  be  feverish  and  swollen,  and  very  sensitive  to  the  touch.  If  the 
inflammation  has  advanced  to  a  suppurative  stage,  matter  will  flow  from 
the  ear,  which  generally  emits  a  very  offensive  odor. 

Treatment. — At  first  hot  fomentations  to  reduce  pain  and  fever,  fol- 
lowed by  a  sharp  blister  below  the  ear.  Laudanum,  1  part  to  10 
parts  of  sweet  oil,  may  be  injected  into  the  ear  to  relieve  pain  and  to 
soften  the  secretions.  If  there  is  a  discharge  from  the  ear,  it  should  be 
washed  thoroughly  out  by  injecting  warm  soapsuds  until  all  the  matter 
has  been  washed  away;  then  inject  the  following  mixture  twice  a  day: 
Sulphate  of  morphia,  20  grains;  water,  1  pint;  glycerin,  4  ounces. 

ABSCESS. 

Abscesses  sometimes  form  about  the  base  of  the  ear,  either  inside 
or  outside,  caused  by  contusions.  A  serous  cyst  is  found  occasionally 
between  the  cartilage  and  the  skin  on  the  base  of  the  ear,  which  may 
be  due  to  a  similar  cause. 

Treatment. — Make  a  free  incision  with  the  knife  into  the  most  promi- 
nent part  of  the  abscess  or  cyst,  then  wash  out  the  sac  with  carbolized 
water,  using  a  syringe  for  the  purpose.  If  the  abscess  recurs,  open  it 
again,  wash  it  out,  and  inject  tincture  of  iodin,  or  fill  it  with  iodoform. 

FUNGOID   GROWTHS. 

As  a  result  of  laceration  or  wound  of  any  kind,  fungous  growths 
may  develop  on  the  ear,  characterized  by  a  raw,  bleeding,  granulating 
surface,  with  a  tendency  to  become  pendulous. 
354 


DISEASES    OF   THE    EAR.  355 

Treatment. — The  whole  tumor  or  diseased  structure  should  be  cut 
away,  and  the  wound  treated  daily  with  a  dressing  of  carbolized  cos- 
moline  or  turpentine  and  sweet  oil,  1  part  of  the  former  to  4  of  the 
latter. 

FOREIGN   BODIES  IN  THE   EAR. 

Bugs  have  been  known  to  gain  entrance  into  the  ear  of  an  animal. 
I  once  removed  an  acorn  from  the  ear  of  a  cow  that  had  been  roaming 
in  the  woods.  Accidentally,  pieces  of  wood  from  a  stanchion  may 
become  lodged  in  the  ear. 

Symptoms. — A  continuous  uneasiness  or  frequent  shaking  of  the 
head,  occasionally  the  manifestations  of  exceeding  great  pain*.  The 
animal  may  rub  the  head  and  ear  against  trees  or  other  objects  in  an 
endeavor  to  dislodge  the  offending  body. 

Treatment. — A  careful  examination  will  reveal  the  offending  cause, 
which  may  be  removed  with  a  pair  of  forceps  or  scraped  out  with  a 
hairpin  or  piece  of  wire  bent  atone  end.  If  much  inflammation  exists, 
the  ear  may  be  swollen  so  that  the  foreign  substance  will  be  hidden 
from  sight;  then  a  probe  maybe  inserted  to  feel  for  the  object,  which, 
when  located,  should  be  removed,  even  if  it  becomes  necessary  to 
split  the  ear  at  the  base  to  do  so.  Afterwards  treat  the  ear  with  fre- 
quent warm  water  fomentations  and  the  injection  of  soapy  water  or 
oil  and  water. 

SCURFY  EARS. 

Cattle  are  subject  to  scurfy  ears,  which  may  be  due  to  a  general 
morbid  condition  of  the  skin,  or  may  be  confined  to  the  ears  alone. 
The  affected  animal  shows  an  inclination  to  rub  the  ear;  thick  scales 
of  scurf  collect  on  it,  which  sometimes  have  the  appearance  of  hard, 
dry,  horny  scales.  This  condition  is  chiefly  due  to  a  faulty  secretion 
of  the  sebaceous  glands  of  the  ear.  Thoroughly  clean  the  ear  with  a 
stiff  brush,  then  anoint  it,  so  far  as  affected,  with  vaseline  4  parts  to 
1  part  of  white  precipitate  ointment.  If  the  scurfy  ears  are  only  a 
part  of  a  general  scurfiness  of  the  skin,  the  condition  of  the  animal 
needs  attention.     (See  "Pityriasis,"  p.  329.) 

FROSTBITE. 

It  is  not  uncommon  among  young  cattle  which  are  poorly  nourished 
and  exposed  outdoors  to  storms  and  extreme  cold  to  suffer  frostbite 
of  the  ear,  which  may  constitute  actual  freezing  of  the  part. 

Symptoms. — Frostbite  presents  naturally  every  degree  of  severity 
from  the  mere  chillinar  of  the  tip  of  the  ear  to  positive  freezing  and 
death  of  a  portion.  In  a  day  or  two  after  the  freezing  has  occurred  the 
ear  will  become  swollen  and  very  painful;  the  dead  part  will  remain 
cold  and  begin  to  shrivel;  a  line  of  separation  then  forms  between  the 
inflamed  and  the  dead  or  dying  portion,  and  finally  the  piece  destroyed 


356  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

drops  off,  leaving  a  raw  healing  surface.  When  the  ear  is  only 
slightly  affected  by  the  cold,  an  excoriation  or  peeling  off  of  super- 
ficial skin  takes  place,  accompanied  by  some  pain  and  itching. 

Treatment. — A  good  liniment  for  frozen  ears  will  be  found  in  a 
mixture  of  turpentine,  ammonia,  and  chloroform,  of  each  1  part, 
added  to  6  parts  of  sweet  oil.  Rub  this  on  the  ear  several  times  a 
day.  It  will  relieve  pain  and  stimulate  the  circulation,  thus  favoring 
a  recovery  of  the  injured  structures. 

LACERATIONS   OF   THE   EAR. 

Aggressive  dogs  are  the  most  frequent  cause  of  lacerated  ear,  gen- 
erally leaving  a  torn,  ragged  edge  and  bruised  cartilage. 

Treatment. — If  the  wound  is  extensive  a  trimming  of  the  ragged 
edges  becomes  necessary;  then  fasten  the  edges  together  with  silver 
wire,  catgut,  or  strong,  thick,  linen  thread,  taking  a  deep  hold.  Apply 
pine  tar. 

DISEASE    OF   THE    CARTILAGE   AND   NECROSIS. 

Occasionally  the  cartilages  of  the  ear  become  affected,  usually  the 
result  of  a  deep  bruise;  pus  forms,  which  burrows  under  the  skin,  and 
may  find  a  discharge  from  any  part  of  the  ear  more  or  less  distant  from 
the  seat  of  the  disease.  When  the  cartilage  has  been  extensively 
injured,  pieces  of  it  may  become  dead  (necrosed)  and  dissolve,  to  be 
carried  away  with  the  pus,  or  it  may  lead  to  extensive  sloughing  and 
the  formation  of  numerous  running  sores.  In  the  disease  of  the  car- 
tilage there  is  seldom  much  swelling  or  great  pain.  The  discharge  is 
usually  very  offensive,  and  occasionally  streaked  with  blood.  When- 
ever there  is  a  long-continued,  persistent  discharge  from  one  or  more 
openings  in  the  ear,  disease  of  the  cartilage  may  be  suspected. 

Treatment. — The  sinus  formed  by  the  passage  of  matter  should  be 
probed  and  searched  to  the  bottom  for  the  presence  of  a  foreign  sub- 
stance or  the  evidence  of  decaying  cartilage.  When  the  probe  touches 
necrosed  cartilage  it  will  feel  like  the  presence  of  a  piece  of  dry  leather 
or  partially  softened  wood.  A  counter  opening  must  then  be  made 
at  this  place,  and  all  diseased  cartilage  cut  away  with  the  knife.  The 
subsequent  treatment  consists  in  keeping  the  artificial  wound  open 
for  the  discharge  of  pus,  and  the  injection  of  chloride  of  zinc,  5  grains 
to  the  ounce  of  water,  once  or  twice  a  day,  until  the  wound  is  healed. 

ENCHONDROMA   OF   THE   EAR. 

This  is  an  excessive  growth  of  cartilage,  found  at  the  base  of  the 
ear  in  the  form  of  a  hard,  painless  tumor,  firmly  attached  to  the  mov- 
able ear.  The  only  recourse  for  its  removal  is  the  knife  in  the  hands 
of  one  acquainted  with  the  anatomy  of  the  part  involved  in  the 
operation. 


INFECTIOUS  DISEASES  OF  CATTLE. 

By  Drs.  D.  E.  Salmon  and  Theobald  Smith. 

[Revised  in  1908  by  John  R.  Mohler,  A.  M.,  V.  M.  D.] 
GENERAL    INTRODUCTION. 

The  importance  to  the  farmer  and  stock  raiser  of  a  general  knowl- 
edge of  the  nature  of  infectious  diseases  need  not  be  insisted  on,  as  it 
must  be  evident  to  all  who  have  charge  of  farm  animals.  The  grow- 
ing facilities  for  intercourse  between  one  section  of  a  country  and 
another,  and  between  different  countries,  cause  a  wide  distribution  of 
the  infectious  diseases  once  restricted  to  a  definite  locality.  Not  only 
the  animals  themselves,  but  the  cars,  vessels,  or  other  conveyances 
in  which  they  are  carried  may  become  agents  for  the  dissemination  of 
disease.  The  growing  tendency  of  specialization  in  agriculture,  which 
leads  to  the  maintenance  of  large  herds  of  cattle,  sheep,  and  hogs, 
makes  infectious  diseases  more  common  and  more  dangerous.  Fresh 
animals  are  being  continually  introduced  which  may  be  the  carriers 
of  disease  from  other  herds,  and  when  disease  is  once  brought  into  a 
large  herd  the  losses  become  very  high,  because  it  is  difficult,  if  not 
impossible,  to  check  it  after  it  has  once  obtained  a  foothold. 

These  considerations  make  it  plain  that  only  by  the  most  careful 
supervision  by  intelligent  men  who  understand  the  nature  of  infectious 
diseases  and  their  causes  in  a  general  way  can  these  be  kept  away. 
We  must  likewise  consider  how  incomplete  our  knowledge  concerning 
many  diseases  is,  and  probably  will  be  for  some  time  to  come.  The 
suggestions  and  recommendations  offered  by  investigators  may,  there- 
fore, not  always  be  correct,  and  may  require  frequent  modification  as 
our  information  grows  more  comprehensive  and  exact. 

An  infectious  disease  may  be  defined  as  any  malady  caused  by  the 
introduction  into  the  body  of  minute  organisms  of  a  vegetable  or 
animal  nature  which  have  the  power  of  indefinite  multiplication  and 
of  setting  free  certain  peculiar  poisons  which  are  chiefly  responsible 
for  the  morbid  changes. 

This  definition  might  include  diseases  due  to  certain  animal  para- 
sites, such  as  trichinse,  for  example,  which  multiply  in  the  digestive 
tract,  but  whose  progeny  is  limited  to  a  single  generation.  By  com- 
mon consent  the  term  "infectious"  is  restricted  to  those  diseases 
caused  by  the  invasion  and  multiplication  of  certain  very  minute  uni- 
cellular organisms  included  under  the  general  classes  of  bacteria  and 

357 


358  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

protozoa.  Nearly  all  the  diseases  of  cattle  for  which  a  definite  cause 
has  been  traced  are  due  to  bacteria.  Among  these  are  tuberculo- 
sis, anthrax,  blackleg,  and  tetanus  (or  lockjaw).  Some  diseases,  such 
as  Texas  fever  and  nagana,  are  traceable  to  protozoa,  while  others, 
like  actinomycosis  and  aspergillosis,  are  caused  by  fungi.  Those  dis- 
eases of  which  the  cause  is  unknown  or  imperfectly  worked  out  are 
pleuro-pneumonia,  rinderpest,  foot-and-mouth  disease,  rabies,  cow- 
pox,  malignant  catarrh,  and  dysentery. 

Bacteria  may  be  defined  as  very  minute,  unicellular  organisms  o!  a 
plant-like  character.  Their  form  is  very  simple,  as  may  be  seen  from 
an  inspection  of  the  various  species  depicted  on  Plate  XXIX.  The 
description  of  these  figures  will  be  found  at  the  end  of  this  article. 
The  magnification  there  given  will  furnish  the  reader  some  idea  of 
their  very  minute  size.  They  multiply  in  two  ways.  The  bacterium 
elongates  and  then  divides  in  the  middle  to  form  2  daughter  cells. 
These  go  through  the  same  process  at  once,  and  thus  4  cells  are  pro- 
duced. The  division  of  these  leads  to  8,  the  division  of  8  to  16,  and  so 
on  indefinitely.  The  rapidity  with  which  this  multiplication  takes 
place  depends  upon  the  nature  of  the  bacterium.  The  bacillus  of 
tuberculosis  multiplies  very  slowly,  while  that  of  anthrax  multiplies 
with  great  rapidity,  provided  both  are  in  the  most  favorable  condition. 
Another  mode  of  reproduction,  limited  to  certain  classes  of  bacteria, 
consists  in  the  formation  of  a  spore  within  the  body  of  the  bacterium. 
Spore  formation  usually  takes  place  when  the  conditions  pertaining  to 
the  growth  of  the  bacteria  become  unfavorable.  The  spores  are  much 
more  resistant  to  destructive  agents  than  the  bacteria  which  produced 
them.  The  anthrax  spore  may  live  several  years  in  a  dried  state,  but 
the  anthrax  bacillus  perishes  in  a  few  days  under  like  conditions. 
This  matter  will  be  referred  to  again  when  we  come  to  discuss  the  sub- 
ject of  disinfection. 

Of  the  protozoa  which  cause  disease  very  little  is  at  present  known. 
The  one  which  produces  Texas  fever  is  pictured  on  Plate  XL VII,  in 
figs.  4  and  5.  These  parasites  have  a  more  complex  life  history  than 
bacteria;  and  as  they  can  not  be  grown  in  artificial  media,  their 
thorough  investigation  is  at  present  hampered  with  great  difficulties. 

The  differences  in  the  symptoms  and  lesions  of  the  various  infectious 
diseases  are  due  to  differences  in  the  respective  organisms  causing 
them.  Similarly  the  great  differences  observed  in  the  sources  from 
which  animals  become  infected  and  the  mannerin  which  infection  takes 
place  are  due  to  differences  in  the  life  history  of  these  minute  organ- 
isms. Much  discussion  has  taken  place  of  late  years  concerning  the 
preeise  meaning  of  the  words  "infection  "  and  "  contagion."  But  these 
words  are  now  wholly  inadequate  to  express  the  complex  processes  of 
infection,  and  it  may  be  said  that  each  species  of  bacterium  or  proto- 
zoon  has  its  own  peculiar  way  of  invading  the  animal  body,  differing 
more  or  less  from  all  the  rest.     There  are,  however,  a  few  broad  dis- 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  359 

tinctions  which  may  be  expressed  with  the  help  of  these  old  terms. 
Infection,  as  laid  down  above,  refers  at  present  in  a  comprehensive 
way  to  all  microorganisms  capable  of  setting  up  disease  in  the  bod}7. 
Some  microorganisms  are  transmitted  directly  from  one  animal  to 
another,  and  the  diseases  produced  may  be  called  contagious.  Among 
these  are  included  pleuro-pneumonia,  rinderpest,  foot-and-mouth  dis- 
ease, rabies,  cowpox,  and  tuberculosis.  Again,  certain  organisms  are 
perhaps  never  transmitted  from  one  animal  to  another,  but  maj'  come 
from  the  soil.  Among  these  are  tetanus,  blackleg,  anthrax  to  a  large 
extent,  and  perhaps  actinomycosis  in  part.  These  diseases,  accord- 
ing to  some  authorities,  may  be  called  miasmatic.  There  is  a  third  class 
of  infectious  diseases  of  which  the  specific  bacteria  are  transmitted 
from  one  animal  to  another,  as  with  the  contagious  diseases,  but  the 
bacteria  may,  under  certain  favorable  conditions,  find  enough  food  in 
the  soil  and  the  surroundings  of  animals  to  multiply  to  some  extent 
after  they  have  left  the  sick  and  before  they  gain  entrance  into  a 
healthy  animal. 

This  general  classification  is  subject  to  change  if  we  take  into  con- 
sideration other  characteristics.  Thus  tuberculosis  would  not  by 
many  be  considered  contagious  in  the  sense  that  foot-and-mouth 
disease  is,  because  of  the  insidious  beginning  and  slow  course  of  the 
disease.  Yet  the  bacillus  must  come  from  preexisting  disease  in 
either  case.  The  disease  of  rabies,  or  hydrophobia,  is  not  contagious 
in  the  sense  that  rinderpest  is,  because  the  virus  of  rabies  must  be 
inoculated  into  a  wound  before  it  can  take  effect.  Yet  in  both  cases 
the  virus  passes  without  modification  from  one  animal  to  another, 
though  in  different  ways. 

Again,  all  the  diseases  under  the  second  group,  which  seem  to  come 
from  the  soil  and  from  pastures,  are  in  one  sense  contagious  in  that 
the  virus  may  be  taken  from  a  sick  animal  and  inoculated  directly 
into  a  healthy  animal  with  positive  result.  Other  illustrations  may 
be  cited  which  show  that  these  old  terms  are  not  in  themselves  satis- 
factory. There  are  so  many  conditions  which  enter  into  the  process 
of  infection  that  no  single  classification  will  give  a  sufficient^  correct 
or  comprehensive  idea  of  it.  These  statements  will  be  easily  under- 
stood if  the  different  infectious  diseases  in  the  following  pages  be 
studied  with  reference  to  the  way  or  ways  in  which  each  disease  may 
be  contracted.  Enough  has  been  said,  therefore,  to  show  that,  if  we 
wish  to  make  ourselves  acquainted  with  the  dangers  of  any  given 
disease,  we  must  study  that  disease  and  not  rely  upon  any  single  word 
to  tell  the  whole  slory. 

Infectious  diseases  have,  as  a  general  rule,  a  period  of  incubation, 
which  comprises  the  time  elapsing  between  the  exposure  to  the  infec- 
tion and  the  actual  appearance  of  the  disease.  This  period  varies 
with  the  malady.  The  most  common  symptom  of  this  class  of  diseases 
is  fever.     The  severity  of  the  fever  is  measured  by  the  temperature 


360  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

of  the  animal,  and  this  is  readily  and  accurately  ascertainable  by 
the  clinical  thermometer.  (See  PI.  Ill,  fig.  1.)  The  other  symptoms 
are  variable  and  depend  upon  the  particular  organ  or  organs  most 
implicated.  Loss  of  appetite,  cessation  of  rumination  and  milk  secre- 
tion, and  general  dullness  are  symptoms  quite  invariably  present  in 
most  infectious  diseases. 

During  the  course  of  infectious  diseases  secondary  diseases  or  com- 
plications may  arise  which  are  largely  due  to  bacteria  other  than  those 
producing  the  original  malady.  These  complications  are  often  so 
severe  as  to  become  fatal.  In  general  it  may  be  stated  that  they  are 
due  to  filthy  surroundings,  and  hence  cleanliness  may  become  an 
important  aid  to  recovery. 

The  treatment  of  infectious  diseases  is  given  under  each  malady  so 
far  as  this  is  allowable  or  advisable.  These  diseases  are  not,  as  a  rule, 
amenable  to  treatment.  When  the  symptoms  have  once  appeared  the 
disease  is  apt  to  run  its  course  in  spite  of  treatment,  and,  if  it  is  one 
from  which  animals  usually  recover,  all  that  can  be  done  is  to  put 
them  into  the  most  favorable  surroundings.  Many  infectious  diseases 
lead  sooner  or  later  to  death,  and  treatment  is  useless  so  far  as  the 
sick  are  concerned,  and  it  may  be  worse  than  useless  for  those  not 
yet  infected.  All  animals  suffering  with  infectious  diseases  are  a 
menace  to  all  others  more  or  less  directly.  They  represent  for  the  time 
being  manufactories  of  disease  germs,  and  thej'  are  giving  them  off 
more  or  less  abundantly  during  the  period  of  disease.  They  may 
infect  others  directly  or  they  may  scatter  the  virus  about,  and  the 
surroundings  may  become  a  future  source  of  infection  for  healthy 
animals.  This  leads  us  to  the  subject  of  prevention  as  the  most 
important  of  all  which  claim  our  attention.  In  this  place. only  a  few 
general  remarks  will  suffice  to  bring  the  subject  before  the  reader. 

The  most  important  thing  is  to  keep  disease  awa}T  from  a  herd  or 
farm.  To  do  this  all  sick  or  suspicious  animals  should  be  avoided. 
A  grave  form  of  disease  may  be  introduced  by  apparently  mild  or 
trivial  cases  brought  in  from  without.  It  is  generally  conceded  that 
continual  change  and  movement  of  animals  are  the  most  potent  means 
by  which  infectious  diseases  are  disseminated. 

With  some  cattle  diseases,  such  as  anthrax,  rinderpest,  and  pleuro- 
pneumonia, preventive  inoculation  is  resorted  to  in  some  countries. 
This  may  be  desirable  when  certain  diseases  have  become  stationary 
in  any  locality,  so  that  eradication  is  impossible.  It  should  not  be 
practiced  in  territories  where  a  given  disease  may  still  be  extirpated 
by  ordinary  precautions.  Preventive  inoculation  is  applicable  to  only 
a  few  maladies,  and  therefore  its  aid  in  the  control  of  diseases  is  a 
limited  one. 

When  an  infectious  disease  has  gained  foothold  in  a  herd  the  course 
to  be  pursued  In  getting  rid  of  it  will  depend  upon  the  nature  of  the 
malady.     A  good  rule  is  to  kill  diseased  animals,  especially  when  the 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  361 

disease  is  likely  to  run  a  chronic  course,  as  in  tuberculosis.  The  next 
important  step  is  to  separate  the  well  from  the  sick  by  placing  the 
former  on  fresh  ground.  This  is  rarely  possible;  hence  the  destruc- 
tion or  removal  of  the  sick,  with  thorough  disinfection  of  the  infected 
locality,  is  the  next  thing  to  be  done.  As  to  the  disinfectants  to  be 
used,  special  directions  are  given  under  the  various  diseases,  to  which 
the  reader  is  referred.  Here  we  will  simply  call  attention  briefly  to 
the  general  subject. 

Disinfection  consists  in  the  use  of  certain  substances  which  possess 
the  power  to  destroy  bacteria  or  their  spores,  or  both.  Those  which 
are  cheapest  and  most  available  for  animal  diseases  are  ordinary 
freshly  slaked  lime  or  unslaked  in  powder,  chlorid  of  lime,  crude  car- 
bolic acid,  corrosive  sublimate,  formaldehyde  gas,  formalin,  creolin, 
and  lysol. 

(1)  Slaked  lime  is  perhaps  the  most  easily  procured,  but  its  disin- 
fecting power  is  limited.  While  it  is  capable  of  destroying  all  bac- 
teria in  their  vegetative  state,  it  is  unable  to  destroy  spores  such 
as  those  of  anthrax  and  blackleg.  It  is  probable,  however,  that  in 
incrusting  spores  it  may  destroy  their  vitality  sooner  or  later.  It  is 
regarded  as  safe  practice  to  use  only  spore-destroying  substances  for 
the  virus  of  those  diseases  of  which  we  have  no  definite  knowledge. 
Nevertheless,  in  the  absence  of  other  disinfectants,  lime  is  very  useful. 
It  may  be  employed  as  a  whitewash  on  wood  and  stone  and  sprinkled 
as  a  dilute  wash  or  in  powder  over  yards,  manure  heaps,  and  over 
carcasses  before  they  are  buried  and  over  the  ground  on  which  they 
have  lain,  to  prevent  other  animals  from  carrying  the  infection  away. 

(2)  Chlorid  of  lime  is  more  efficient  than  simple  slaked  or  unslaked 
lime,  since  it  destroys  spores.  It  is  the  ordinary  bleaching  powder 
of  commerce,  and  is  quite  unstable;  hence  old  preparations,  unless 
sealed,  are  of  little  value.  A  5  per  cent  solution  is  sufficiently  strong 
for  all  spore-bearing  bacteria  (3  ounces  in  2  quarts  of  water).  It  may 
be  efficiently  applied  to  the  walls  and  floor  of  an  infected  stable  by 
mixing  with  limewash  in  the  proportion  of  6  ounces  of  the  chlorid  of 
lime  to  each  gallon  of  limewash.  The  ceilings  and  those  portions  of 
the  walls  which  can  not  be  reached  should  be  disinfected  by  means 
of  chlorin  gas  liberated  from  the  chlorid  of  lime  by  crude  carbolic 
acid.  This  is  accomplished  by  making  a  cone  of  5  or  6  pounds  of 
chlorid  of  lime,  in  the  top  of  which  a  deep  crater  is  made  for  the 
placement  of  from  1  to  2  pints  of  crude  carbolic  acid.  The  edge  of 
the  crater  is  thereupon  pushed  into  the  fluid,  when  a  lively  reac- 
tion follows.  Owing  to  the  heat  generated,  it  is  advisable  to  place 
the  chlorid  of  lime  into  an  iron  crucible  and  to  have  nothing  inflam- 
mable within  a  radius  of  two  feet.  The  number  and  location  of 
these  cones  of  chlorid  of  lime  depend  on  the  size  and  structure  of 
the  building  to  be  disinfected.  As  a  rule  it  may  be  stated  that  chlorin 
gas  liberated  from  the  above-sized  cone  will  be  sufficient  for  disin- 


362  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

fecting  5,200  cubic  feet  of  air  space.  The  fumes  of  chlorine  are 
strongly  irritating  to  the  respiratory  tract,  and  therefore  all  live  stock 
should  be  removed  before  the  work  is  started. 

(3)  Crude  carbolic  acid.  The  ordinary  purified  carbolic  acid  is  too 
expensive  to  be  used  on  a  large  scale,  and  the  crude  product  is  a  very 
good  substitute.  This  is  made  more  powerful  by  mixing  with  it  an 
equal  volume  of  commercial  sulphuric  acid.  While  the  sulphuric  acid 
is  being  added  to  the  crude  carbolic  acid  much  heat  is  evolved,  and  if 
the  glass  jar  in  which  the  two  are  mixed  together  is  placed  in  cold 
water,  the  resulting  product  is  said  to  have  a  higher  disinfecting  power. 
The  mixture  is  added  to  enough  water  to  make  a  5  per  cent  solution 
(about  7  ounces  to  4  quarts  of  water).  This  is  strong  enough  for  all 
purposes.  It  may  be  kept  in  wood  or  glass,  but  not  in  metal,  owing  to 
the  corroding  action  of  the  acid.  It  should  be  used  freely  on  wood- 
work and  on  infected  floors,  and  a  force  pump  of  the  kind  used  by 
orchardists  will  be  found  very  convenient  as  a  means  of  applying  this 
disinfectant.  If  the  solution  is  warm  when  applied,  it  will  penetrate 
the  woodwork  better  than  when  it  is  cold,  especially  if  the  spraying 
is  done  during  cold  weather.  The  addition  of  air-slaked  lime  in  any 
quantity  that  will  dissolve  in  water  to  the  above  solution  (say  Im- 
pounds of  lime  to  7  ounces  of  crude  carbolic  acid  to  each  gallon  of 
water)  is  preferred  by  many,  as  it  makes  any  neglected  places  at  once 
visible  and  leaves  a  cleaner  and  purer  atmosphere  within  the  build- 
ings. In  most  cases  where  its  application  becomes  desirable — and 
this  rule  should  apply  to  all  disinfections — the  disinfected  stables, 
stalls,  etc.,  should  remain  vacant  as  long  as  possible  before  cattle  are 
again  stabled  therein. 

(4)  Mercuric  chlorid,  or  corrosive  sublimate,  is  a  powerful  disin- 
fectant, but  it  is  likewise  very  poisonous;  hence  its  uses  are  limited. 
Cattle  are  especially  susceptible  to  the  action  of  mercuric  chlorid 
and  caution  must  be  used  in  its  application.  A  solution  of  one-tenth 
of  1  per  cent  is  usually  sufficient  (1  ounce  to  8  gallons  water).  Mer- 
curic chlorid  should  not  be  placed  in  wooden  pails,  as  we  have  the 
tannate  of  mercury  formed,  which  is  a  weak  antiseptic;  nor  should 
expensive  metal  pails  be  used,  owing  to  its  corrosive  action.  Agate 
vessels  or  tin  pails  are  to  be  preferred.  All  solutions  should  be 
labeled  "poison,"  and  to  avoid  accidents  none  should  be  kept  on 
hand. 

(5)  Formalin  and  formaldehyde  gas  have  been  found  very  effica- 
cious as  sanitary  agents.  Formalin  is  the  commercial  name  for  the 
40  per  cent  solution  of  formaldehyde  gas  in  water,  and  is  one  of  the 
most  powerful  antiseptics  and  disinfectants  that  we  possess.  Solu- 
tions of  this  strength  are  manufactured  by  different  commercial 
houses,  and  sold  by  the  drug  trade  under  the  name  of  "formalose" 
and  "formal."  In  this  connection  it  should  be  mentioned  that 
while  the  40  per  cent  solution  of  formaldehyde  gas  and  formalin  are 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  363 

exactly  the  same  thing,  the  former  can  be  purchased  at  33£  to  64  per 
cent  less  than  the  latter.  Formalin  may  be  applied,  diluted  with 
water  in  the  proportion  of  1  part  of  formalin  to  30  parts  of  water, 
or  4  ounces  of  formalin  to  each  gallon  of  water,  and  it  may  thus  be 
used  as  a  wash  or  as  a  spray  on  all  paints,  metals,  and  woodwork,  as 
well  as  on  clothing  and  other  fabrics,  without  exerting  any  injurious 
influence  on  the  objects  treated.  It  may  also  be  applied  to  floors, 
walls,  and  woodwork  in  whitewash  by  mixing  1  part  of  formalin  to  30 
parts  of  lime  wash,  or  4  ounces  of  formalin  to  each  gallon  of  lime  wash. 
Formalin  has  the  appearance  of  water  and  in  the  strong  solution  is 
poisonous,  but  when  diluted  as  recommended  above  it  is  not  danger- 
ous. The  fumes  given  off  by  it,  however,  are  very  disagreeable  and 
irritating  to  the  eyes  and  nasal  mucous  membranes.  One  and  one- 
half  ounces  of  formalin  added  to  1  gallon  of  water  is  a  valuable  agent 
for  the  disinfection  of  the  skin  or  septic  wounds,  but  is  somewhat 
painful  and  irritating  to  raw  surfaces. 

Formaldehyde  is  a  gas  which  is  soluble  in  24  parts  of  water  (40 
parts  of  formaldehyde  gas  to  100  parts  of  water),  and  this  solution 
constitutes  the  formalin  of  commerce.  The  use  of  formaldehyde  gas 
is  in  most  cases  impracticable  for  stable  disinfection.  In  case  the 
stable  is  not  too  large  and  can  be  made  almost  air-tight  the  generation 
of  formaldehyde  gas,  after  removing  all  the  animals,  will  be  found 
very  serviceable.  It  penetrates  all  parts  of  the  stable — the  walls, 
crevices,  floors,  ceiling — and  is  probably  the  best  fumigating  disinfect- 
ant that  we  have.  This  gas  may  be  generated  by  a  specially  con- 
structed apparatus  devised  for  this  purpose,  but  this  method  of  dis- 
infection, while  practicable  in  the  house,  is  rather  inapplicable  for 
stables  and  should  only  be  used  by  experienced  persons. 

(6)  Some  coal-tar  products-,  such  as  creolin  and  lysol,  are  cheap, 
effective,  and  easily  applied  disinfectants,  their  action  being  due  to 
the  carbolic  acid  and  creosote  in  their  composition.  They  may  be 
used  in  3  to  5  per  cent  solution.  Creolin  forms  a  milky  solution  in 
water,  while  the  aqueous  solution  of  lysol  is  clear  and  oil}7. 

When  it  is  desired  to  apply  any  of  these  above-mentioned  agents  to 
the  stable  or  barnyard,  a  preliminary  cleaning  up  of  all  debris  and 
litter  is  advisable,  together  with  the  scraping  of  the  floor,  mangers, 
and  walls  of  the  stable  with  hoes  and  the  removal  of  all  dust  and 
filth.  This  should  be  followed  by  the  burning  of  all  such  accumula- 
tions, inasmuch  as  this  material  likewise  contains  the  infectious  prin- 
ciple and  is  best  destroyed  by  heat.  Heat  may  be  applied  to  the 
surface  of  the  affected  pen,  byre,  or  barnyard  by  means  of  a  cyclone 
burner,  which  consists  of  a  tank,  pump,  hose,  and  cyclone  nozzle  for 
spraying  with  paraffin  (gas  oil).  The  latter  is  ejected  in  the  form  of 
spray,  which  when  ignited  gives  a  very  hot  and  effective  flame  to  be 
applied  to  the  infected  ground.  Where  such  burning  is  impracticable 
the  surface  soil  of  the  yard  and  surroundings  should  be  removed  to  a 


364  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

depth  of  5  or  6  inches  and  then  placed  in  a  heap  and  thoroughly 
mixed  with  air-slaked  lime.  The  fresh  surface  of  the  soil  thus  exposed 
may  then  be  sprinkled  with  any  of  the  above-mentioned  disinfectants. 
In  addition  to  these  artificial  substances  there  are  several  natural 
sanitary  agents  of  great  importance  as  destroyers  of  virus.  These  are 
cleanliness,  ventilation,  drying,  and  sunshine.  All  virus,  excepting 
such  as  may  live  in  the  soil,  is  killed  sooner  or  later  by  drying  and 
sunshine,  and  the  importance  of  these  factors  in  the  daily  life  of  ani- 
mals need  not  be  insisted  on  here.  Finally,  all  sanitary  measures 
which  contribute  to  the  healthfulness  of  animal  surroundings  are 
directly  or  indirectly  inimical  to  disease  germs,  and  all  carelessness 
in  the  keeping  of  animals  may  be  regarded  as  an  ally  of  these  destruc- 
tive organisms. 

CONTAGIOUS   PLEURO-PNEUMONIA. 

Definition  and  history. — This  disease  has  been  eradicated  from  the 
United  States,  and  it  is  not  probable  that  it  will  ever  be  seen  in  this 
country  again.  As,  however,  much  interest  was  manifested  in  regard 
to  it  for  a  number  of  years,  and  as  our  cattle  are  still  prohibited  from 
some  foreign  markets  on  account  of  its  previous  existence  here,  the 
subject  is  treated  at  greater  length  than  would  otherwise  be  necessary. 

The  contagious  pleuro-pneumonia  of  cattle  is  a  specific  epizootic 

VARIOUS   BACTERIA   WHICH   PRODUCE   BACTERIA   IN   CATTLE. 

[Description  of  PI.  XXIX.] 

The  bacteria  on  this  plate  are  partly  from  tissues,  partly  from  cultures,  and 
stained  artificially  with  aniline  colors  (fuchsin  or  methylene  blue).  Figs.  6  and  7 
are  copied  from  Friinkel  and  Pfeiffer's  atlas.  All  but  fig.  7  are  magnified  1,000 
times;  fig.  7,  500  times. 

Fig.  1.  Bacteria  from  pneumonia  in  cattle.  These  are  also  the  cause  of  hemor- 
rhagic septicemia  and  are  closely  related  to  swine-plague  bacteria.  These  bacteria 
were  drawn  from  a  piece  of  spleen  pulp  (rabbit). 

Fig.  2.  Micrococci  (streptococcus)  which  produce  inflammation  of  the  lining 
membranes  of  the  abdomen,  thorax,  heart,  brain,  and  joints.  Frequently  associ- 
ated with  the  preceding  bacteria  in  abscesses. 

Fig.  3.  Micrococci  (staphylococcus)  which  produce  inflammation  and  suppura- 
tion, also  pyemia. 

Fig.  4.  Bacilli  of  blackleg.  The  pale  oval  bodies  as  well  as  the  light  spots  in 
one  end  of  the  bacilli  represent  spores. 

Fig.  5.  Bacilli  which  produce  tetanus,  or  lockjaw.  The  light  spot  in  the  enlarged 
end  of  each  rod  represents  a  spore. 

Fig.  6.  Bacilli  of  tuberculosis.  Microscopic  sections  of  a  pearly  nodule  from 
the  lining  membrane  of  the  chest  cavity.  The  bacilli  are  stai:  ed  red  and  appear 
as  small  straight  rods  within  the  cells  of  the  nodule,  or  tubercle. 

Fig.  7.  Bacilli  of  anthrax.  Bacilli  from  the  spleen  of  a  mouse  inoculated  with 
a  culture.'  The  bacilli  were  obtained  from  the  blood  of  a  cow  which  died  of 
anthrax  in  Mississippi.  The  bacilli  appear  as  rods  stained  blue.  The  round  bodies 
are  blood  corpuscles,  also  stained  artificially. 


Diseases  of  Cattle 


Plate  xxix 


Fi£.2 


Fi&  4 


Fig.  5 


Fig.  6 


Fi£. 


JULIUS  BIEN  &   CO.N 


Various  Bacteria  which  produce  disease  in  Cattle. 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  365 

disease  which  affects  bovine  animals,  and  from  which  other  species  are 
exempt.  It  is  characterized,  when  the  disease  results  from  exposure 
in  the  usual  manner,  by  an  inflammation  of  the  lungs  and  pleura?, 
which  is  generally  extensive,  and  which  has  a  tendency  to  invade  por- 
tions of  these  organs  not  primarily  affected  and  to  cause  death  of  the 
diseased  portion  of  the  lung.  This  disease  is  frequently  called  the 
lung  plague,  which  corresponds  with  its  German  name  of  Lungen- 
seuehe.     In  French  it  is  spoken  of  as  the  peripneumonie  contagieuse. 

The  history  of  the  contagious  pleuro-pneumonia  of  cattle  can  not  be 
traced  with  any  certainty  to  a  period  earlier  than  the  beginning  of  the 
eighteenth  century.  No  doubt  it  existed  and  ravaged  the  herds  of 
Europe  for  many  years  and  perhaps  centuries  before  that  time,  but 
veterinary  knowledge  was  so  limited  that  the  descriptions  of  the 
symptoms  and  postmortem  appearances  are  too  vague  and  too  limited 
to  admit  of  the  identification  of  the  maladies  to  which  they  refer.  It 
has  been  supposed  by  some  writers  that  certain  passages  in  the  writ- 
ings of  Aristotle,  Livy,  and  Virgil  show  the  existence  of  pleuro-pneu- 
monia at  the  time  that  their  works  were  composed,  but  their  references 
are  too  indefinite  to  be  seriously  accepted  as  indicating  this  rather 
than  some  other  disease. 

As  early  as  1713  and  1714  it  seems  quite  plain  that  pleuro-pneumonia 
existed  in  Suabia  and  several  Cantons  of  Switzerland.  Even  clearer 
accounts  are  in  existence  of  its  prevalence  in  Switzerland  in  1732,  1743, 
and  1765.  In  1769  a  disease  of  cattle  was  investigated  in  Franche- 
Comte  by  Bourgelat  which  was  called  murie,  but  which  undoubtedly 
was  identical  with  the  pleuro-pneumonia  of  to-day.  From  that  period 
we  have  frequent  and  well-authenticated  accounts  of  its  existence  in 
various  parts  of  Europe.  During  the  period  from  1790  to  1812  it  was 
spread  throughout  a  large  portion  of  the  continent  of  Europe  by  the 
cattle  driven  for  the  subsistence  of  the  armies,  which  marched  and 
countermarched  in  all  directions.  It  was  generally  prevalent  in  Italy 
in  1800.  It  appears  to  have  been  unknown,  however,  in  the  Depart- 
ment of  the  Nord,  France,  until  1826,  but  during  the  years  from  1820 
to  1840  it  penetrated  into  most  parts  of  that  country.  During  the 
same  period  it  was  introduced  into  and  allowed  to  spread  over  Bel- 
gium and  Holland. 

This  contagion  is  said  to  have  been  carried  to  Ireland  from  Holland 
in  1839,  and  is  reported  as  existing  in  England  in  1842.  The  disease 
was  brought  to  the  United  States  at  several  different  times.  Prob- 
ably the  first  introduction  of  the  contagion  was  with  a  diseased  cow 
sold  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  in  1843.  It  came  to  New  Jersey  by  import- 
ing affected  animals  in  1847.  Massachusetts  was  infected  in  the  same 
way  in  1859. 

South  Africa  was  infected  by  a  bull  brought  from  Holland  in  1854, 
and  Australia  likewise  received  the  contagion  with  an  English  cow  in 
1858.     It  is  also  reported  as  existing  in  various  parts  of  the  continent 


366  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

of  Asia,  but  the  time  of  its  first  appearance  and  the  extent  of  its  dis- 
tribution are  verj'  uncertain. 

Some  countries,  which  had  only  been  infected  for  a  short  time,  such 
as  Norway,  Sweden,  and  Denmark,  have  succeeded  in  eradicating  the 
disease  without  much  difficulty  by  slaughtering  all  affected  and  exposed 
animals.  Other  countries  long  infected  and  in  which  the  contagion 
was  thoroughly  established,  like  Australia,  South  Africa,  Itaty,  France, 
Belgium,  and  parts  of  Germany,  have  labored  long,  in  some  cases 
making  no  progress  and  in  others  being  only  partially  successful. 
Holland  was  one  of  the  first  of  the  thoroughly  infected  countries  to 
free  itself  from  the  contagion. 

In  the  United  States,  Massachusetts  eradicated  pleuro-pneumonia 
during  the  period  from  1860  to  1866.  New  York  and  New  Jersey  made 
an  attempt  to  eradicate  it  in  1879,  but  were  not  successful.  Late  in 
1883  the  contagion  was  carried  to  Ohio,  probably  by  Jersey  cattle 
purchased  in  the  vicinity  of  Baltimore,  Md.,  to  which  place  it  had 
extended  previous  to  1868.  From  the  herd  then  infected  it  was  spread 
by  the  sale  of  cattle  during  1884  to  a  limited  number  of  herds  in  Illi- 
nois, to  one  herd  in  Missouri,  and  to  two  herds  in  Kentucky.  The 
alarm  caused  among  the  stock  owners  of  the  United  States  by  this 
widespread  dissemination  of  a  disease  so  much  dreaded  led  to  the 
adoption  of  active  measures  for  its  control  and  eradication.  By  coop- 
eration between  the  United  States  Department  of  Agriculture  and  the 
authorities  of  the  affected  States  it  was  found  possible  to  prevent  the 
further  spread  of  the  contagion  and  to  eradicate  it  after  a  few  months' 
delay. 

In  1886  pleuro-pneumonia  was  discovered  in  some  of  the  large  dis- 
tillery stables  of  Chicago  and  among  cows  on  neighboring  lots.  This 
led  to  renewed  efforts  to  secure  the  complete  extirpation  of  this  dis- 
ease from  the  country.  Congress  in  1887  enlarged  the  appropriation 
available  for  this  purpose,  and  gave  more  extended  authority.  Dur- 
ing the  same  year  the  disease  was  stamped  out  of  Chicago,  and  has 
not  since  appeared  in  any  district  west  of  the  Allegheny  Mountains. 

The  work  of  eradication  was  at  the  same  time  commenced  in  all  of 
the  infected  States.  Before  the  end  of  the  year  1889  Pennsylvania, 
Delaware,  Maryland,  the  District  of  Columbia,  and  Virginia  had  been 
freed  from  the  disease.  More  difficulties,  however,  were  encountered 
in  the  States  of  New  York  and  New  Jersey,  on  account  of  the  larger 
territory  infected  and  the  density  of  the  population.  The  long  strug- 
gle was  crowned  with  success,  however,  and  the  last  animal  in  which 
the  disease  appeared  in  the  State  of  New  York  was  slaughtered  early 
in  1891,  and  the  last  one  affected  in  New  Jersey  met  the  same  fate 
early  in  the  spring  of  1892. 

During  these  same  years  a  supreme  effort  had  been  made  to  stamp 
out  this  lung  plague  from  Great  Britain.  From  the  official  reports  it 
appears  that  the  number  of  infected  districts  and  of  diseased  animals 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  367 

had  rapidly  diminished,  but  it  was  not  until  1898  that  the  infection 
was  finally  eradicated. 

The  other  infected  European  countries,  though  they  maintain  a 
veterinary  sanitary  service,  are  not  making  satisfactory  progress  in 
eradicating  the  disease.  This  is  due  partly  to  dehays  in  carrying  out 
the  provisions  of  the  laws  and  partly  to  mistaken  ideas  as  to  the 
measures  which  are  necessary  to  accomplish  the  object.  The  United 
States  was  the  last  of  the  countries,  having  old  infected  districts, 
which  undertook  to  stamp  out  this  contagion,  and,  excepting  Hol- 
land, it  was  the  first  to  reach  success. 

Tlie  cause  (etiology)  of  pleuro-pneumonia. — This  is  a  contagious  dis- 
ease, and  only  arises  by  contagion  from  a  previously  affected  animal ; 
consequent!}7  it  can  never  be  seen  here  except  as  the  result  of  import- 
ing affected  animals  from  the  Old  World.  When  thoroughly  stamped 
out  it  does  not  reappear,  and  if  imported  animals  continue  to  be 
properly  inspected  and  quarantined  we  have  every  reason  to  belieA^e 
that  pleuro-pneumonia  will  never  again  be  seen  affecting  the  cattle 
of  this  country. 

The  exact  nature  of  the  virus  or  contagion  of  lung  plague  has  never 
been  determined.  Various  investigators  have  from  time  to  time 
claimed  the  discovery  of  the  specific  germs  of  the  disease,  but  it  was 
not  until  1898  that  Nocard  and  Roux,  by  an  ingenious  method  of  culti- 
vation, succeeded  in  obtaining  a  very  feeble  growth  of  an  exceedingly 
minute  microorganism.  With  these  cultures  the  disease  was  pro- 
duced in  cattle. 

Some  investigators  and  writers  are  of  the  opinion  that  the  disease 
can  only  be  contracted  by  an  animal  coming  near  enough  to  a  living 
diseased  animal  to  receive  the  contagion  directly  from  it.  They  hold 
that  the  contagion  is  expired  with  the  air  from  the  affected  lungs, 
and  that  it  must  be  almost  immediately  inspired  by  another  animal  in 
order  to  produce  the  disease.  Some  experimental  attempts  to  infect 
animals  by  placing  them  in  stables  where  diseased  animals  have  been, 
and  by  placing  the  diseased  lungs  of  slaughtered  animals  in  their 
feeding  troughs  have  failed,  and,  consequently,  apparently  confirm 
this  view. 

On  the  other  hand,  it  is  known  that  the  serum  from  affected  lungs 
retains  its  virulence  and  may  be  used  successfully  for  inoculation 
weeks  or  months  after  the  death  of  the  animal  from  which  it  was 
taken.  This  is  particularly  the  case  when  this  liquid  is  hermetically 
sealed  in  glass  tubes.  Other  investigators  state  that  they  have  suc- 
cessfully infected  cattle  by  placing  in  the  nostrils  sponges  or  pledgets 
of  cotton  saturated  with  such  serum.  Cattle  have  also,  according  to 
the  best  evidence  obtainable,  been  infected  from  the  clothing  of 
attendants,  from  horns  used  in  drenching,  and  from  smelling  about 
wagons  which  have  been  used  to  transport  carcasses  of  animals 
affected  with  this  disease.     In  the  work  of  eradicating  pleuro-pneu- 


368  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

monia  from  the  United  States,  many  stables  were  found  in  which  the 
disease  would  appear  and  reappear  after  the  slaughter  of  affected 
herds,  and  in  spite  of  any  precautions  which  could  be  adopted.  These 
were  always  old  stables,  with  woodwork  in  a  decaying  condition  and 
with  floors  underlaid  with  filth  which  could  not  be  thoroughly 
removed  or  disinfected.  In  every  one  of  these  cases  the  destruction 
of  the  stable,  the  burning  of  the  lumber  of  which  it  was  constructed, 
the  removal  of  the  accumulations  beneath  the  floors,  and  the  thorough 
disinfection  prevented  the  recurrence  of  the  plague  in  new  stables 
built  upon  the  same  premises.  This  experience  conclusively  shows 
that  under  certain  conditions,  at  least,  stables  may  retain  the  infec- 
tion for  a  considerable  time,  and  that  when  restocked  the  disease  may 
break  out  again  from  such  infection. 

As  a  rule,  however,  the  disease  is  acquired  by  a  healthy  animal 
being  near  to  an  affected  one  and  receiving  the  contagion  direct. 
Affected  animals  may  give  off  the  contagion  in  the  early  stages  of  the 
disease  before  the  symptoms  are  apparent  to  the  observer,  and  they 
may  retain  this  infectious  character,  if  they  survive  the  attack,  for 
six  months  and  probably  for  a  year  after  all  symptoms  of  the  disease 
have  disappeared. 

Incubation. — The  time  which  elapses  between  exposure  to  the  con- 
tagion of  pleuro- pneumonia  and  the  first  appearance  of  the  symptoms 
of  this  disease  varies  greatly  with  different  individuals  and  with  dif- 
ferent outbreaks  of  the  disease.  Ordinarily  the  symptoms  of  disease 
make  their  appearance  within  three  to  six  weeks  after  exposure; 
but  they  may  be  observed  within  two  weeks  or  they  may  not  become 
apparent  until  nearly  or  quite  three  months.  It  is  this  long  period  of 
incubation,  and  the  great  length  of  time  that  an  animal  may  dissemi- 
nate the  contagion  after  apparent  recovery,  which  give  the  plague 
that  insidious  character  so  often  spoken  of,  and  which  greatly 
increases  the  difficulties  of  eradication. 

Symptoms. — The  symptoms  are  such  as  would  be  expected  with 
inflammation  of  the  lungs  and  pleura?,  but  they  vary  considerably 
according  to  the  type  which  the  disease  manifests.  If  the  attack  is 
an  acute  one,  as  is  frequently  seen  in  hot  weather,  the  symptoms 
appear  suddenly ;  the  breathing  becomes  rapid  and  difficult,  the  animal 
grunts  or  moans  with  each  expiration,  the  shoulders  stand  out  from 
the  chest,  the  head  is  extended  on  the  neck,  the  back  is  arched,  the 
temperature  is  104°  to  107°  F.,  the  milk  secretion  is  suspended,  there 
is  no  appetite,  rumination  is  stopped,  the  animal  may  bloat  and  later 
be  affected  with  a  severe  diarrhea.  Such  cases  are  generally  fatal  in 
seven  to  twenty  days. 

Very  often  the  attack  comes  on  slowly  and  the  symptoms  are  much 
less  clear.  In  the  mildest  cases  there  is  a  cough  for  a  week  or  two, 
but  no  appreciable  loss  of  appetite  or  elevation  of  temperature.  The 
lungs  are  but  slightly  affected  and  recovery  soon  follows.      Such 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  369 

animals  may  disseminate  the  contagion  for  a  long  time  without  being 
suspected,  and  for  that  reason  are  the  most  dangerous  of  all. 

A  more  severe  type  of  the  plague  is  the  most  frequently  seen.  In 
these  cases  the  cough  is  frequent,  more  or  less  painful,  the  back 
somewhat  arched,  and  the  milk  secretion  diminished.  The  promi- 
nence of  these  symptoms  increases,  the  appetite  is  affected,  the  animal 
loses  flesh,  the  breathing  becomes  more  rapid,  the  cough  more  painful, 
pressure  of  the  fingers  between  the  ribs  shows  tenderness,  the  hair 
loses  its  gloss  and  stands  erect,  the  skin  becomes  adherent,  little  if 
any  milk  is  secreted,  and  the  temperature  rises,  varying  in  different 
animals  from  103°  to  107°  F.  Animals  thus  affected  may  continue  to 
grow  worse  and  die  in  from  three  to  eight  weeks,  or  they  may  after  a 
time  begin  to  improve  and  make  an  apparent  recovery.  The  inflam- 
mation of  the  lung  does  not,  as  a  rule,  subside  and  the  organ  return 
to  its  normal  condition  as  is  the  case  in  ordinary  pneumonia,  but  with 
this  disease  the  life  of  the  affected  portion  of  the  lung  is  destroyed, 
the  tissue  dies  and  a  fibrous  wall  is  formed  around  it  to  shut  it  away 
from  the  living  parts  of  the  body.  The  tissue,  thus  encysted,  gradu- 
ally softens,  becomes  disintegrated  and  breaks  down  into  pus.  The 
recovery,  therefore,  is  not  complete;  it  is  only  apparent  and  partial. 

To  those  accustomed  to  examining  the  lungs  of  cattle,  other  and 
extremely  important  symptoms  may  be  apparent  during  the  course  of 
the  disease.  By  applying  the  ear  over  the  walls  of  the  chest  an  area 
of  a  certain  extent  may  be  found  where  the  natural  breathing  sound 
is  diminished  or  entirely  lost.  This  represents  the  diseased  portion 
of  the  lungs.  In  other  cases  a  loud  blowing  sound  may  be  heard, 
quite  different  from  any  sound  produced  when  the  lung  is  in  a  healthy 
condition.  In  some  cases  crepitation  is  heard  near  the  border  line  of 
the  diseased  area,  and  friction  sounds  produced  by  the  roughened 
pleura;  but  these  can  only  be  appreciated  by  those  whose  ears  have 
been  trained  to  distinguish  between  the  different  sounds  which  reach 
the  ear  when  applied  to  the  chest  wall.  By  percussion — that  is,  by 
pressing  the  fingers  of  the  left  hand  firmly  against  the  wall  of  the 
chest  and  tapping  upon  the  middle  finger  with  the  ends  of  the  fingers 
of  the  right  hand — an  area  of  dullness  may  be  discovered  correspond- 
ing to  the  portion  where  the  respiratory  murmur  has  disappeared. 
This  loss  of  respiration  detected  by  auscultation,  and  the  dullness 
brought  out  by  percussion,  are  the  most  important  evidences  of  an 
inflamed  or  consolidated  lung. 

Seriously  affected  animals  remain  standing  if  they  have  sufficient 
strength,  but  those  which  lie  down  always  lie  on  the  affected  side. 

The  proportion  of  animals  which  become  affected  after  being 
exposed  varies  according  to  the  virulence  of  the  outbreak,  the  sus- 
ceptibility of  the  animals,  and  the  length  of  time  during  which  expos- 
ure is  continued.     Sometimes  not  over  15,  20,  or  30  per  cent  will 

61386—08 24 


370  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

contract  the  disease  when  a  large  herd  is  exposed ;  but,  on  the  other 
hand,  80  or  90  per  cent  may  be  affected.  The  proportion  of  cases  in 
which  the  disease  proves  fatal  also  varies  greatly — it  may  not  exceed 
1 0  per  cent  and  it  may  reach  50  per  cent.  In  general,  it  may  be  said 
that  about  40  per  cent  of  the  exposed  animals  will  contract  the  dis- 
ease and  about  one-half  of  these  cases  will  prove  fatal. 

Post-mortem  appearances. — Owing  to  the  complexity  of  the  struc- 
ture of  the  lung  tissue,  its  ramifications  of  bronchial  tubes  and  blood 
vessels  and  its  abundant  supply  of  lymphatics,  the  pathological 
changes  in  pleuro-pneumonia  are  interpreted  with  great  difficulty. 
Furthermore  there  are  certain  kinds  of  pneumonia  which  present 
some  resemblances  to  pleuro-pneumonia  and  which  may  therefore  be 
confused  with  it  in  some  of  its  phases. 

If  we  kill  an  animal  affected  with  acute  pleuro-pneumonia  and 
examine  the  cavity  of  the  chest  and  lungs,  the  following  appearances 
will  be  noted : 

The  thorax  may  contain  more  or  less  serum,  which  may  be  clear  or 
clouded.  There  may  be  firm  adhesions  of  different  parts  of  the  lungs 
to  the  chest  wall,  the  extent  of  which  depends  on  the  stage  and 
severity  of  the  disease.  The  diseased  lobes  are  unusually  large  and 
exceedingly  firm  to  the  touch.  The  weight  of  a  single  large  lobe  may 
reach  40  pounds.  Usually  only  one  side  is  affected,  often  but  a  single 
lobe,  and  this  most  commonly  the  large  or  principal  lobe.  The  pleura 
may  be  covered  with  one  or  more  layers  of  a  firm,  elastic,  grayish 
membrane,  which  varies  in  thickness  and  which  sometimes  may  be 
pulled  away  entirely.  Sometimes  it  is  absent.  The  pleura,  however, 
is  opaque  and  apparently  very  much  thickened.  This  is  due  to  the 
diseased  condition  of  the  connective  tissue  beneath  the  pleura,  as 
will  be  explained  later.  When  an  affected  lobe  is  cut  through  at 
right  angles  to  its  long  diameter,  the  cut  surface  will  present  a  variety 
of  interesting  changes.  In  the  first  place  the  spaces  between  the 
small  subdivisions  of  the  lung  (the  lobules),  which  in  the  healthy 
lung  are  barely  visible,  are  distended  with  a  yellowish  white,  usually 
quite  firm,  substance,  which  is  coagulated  fibrin.  The  cut  surface 
thus  appears  divided  up  into  small  fields  by  yellowish  white  bands  of 
varying  thickness  running  in  various  directions  through  the  lung  tis- 
sue and  beneath  the  pleura.  (PL  XXXII.)  These  bands  may  appear 
honeycombed  and  the  spaces  filled  with  yellowish  fluid  (serum)  or  they 
ma}*  be  uniformly  solid.  It  will  also  be  noticed  that  the  space  immedi- 
ately outside  of  and  around  the  artery,  vein,  and  air  tube  is  similarly 
broadened  by  fibrinous  deposits.  Some  authorities  look  upon  these 
bands  as  constituting  the  so-called  "marbling"  of  pleuro-pneumonia. 

In  addition  to  these  changes  which  have  taken  place  in  the  connec- 
tive tissue  between  the  lobules,  the  lung  tissue  itself  may  be  mark- 
edly altered.  Certain  areas  of  the  cut  surface  may  be  very  firm  in 
texture  and  brownish  red  in  color.     The  cut  surface  is  granular  or 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  371 

roughened,  not  smooth  to  the  eye.  Other  areas  equally  firm  may  be 
more  grayish  yellow  in  color  and  still  others  may  be  blackish.  (PI. 
XXXIII.)  Besides  these  areas  which  represent  solidified  (hepatized) 
lung  tissue  there  may  be  others  which  approach  the  normal  lung  tis- 
sue in  color  and  which  are  soft  and  float  in  water.  From  these  a 
milky  purulent  fluid  may  often  be  expressed.  These  different  shades 
are  represented  in  Plate  XXXII,  fig.  2,  within  a  small  compass.  Some 
authorities  are  inclined  to  consider  these  variations  in  color  on  the 
same  cut  surface  as  the  so-called  marbling  of  pleuro-pneumonia.  It 
matters  not  whether  we  regard  the  bands  between  the  lobules  or  the 
varying  shades  of  the  lobules  themselves  as  the  marbling,  provided 
either  or  both  are  peculiar  to  contagious  pleuro-pneumonia.  If  we 
examine  the  blood  vessels  appearing  on  such  cut  surface  they  will 
usually  be  found  plugged  within  the  firmly  hepatized  regions.  The 
artery  contains  a  dark,  soft,  removable  clot,  the  vein  a  grayish  pink, 
granular,  fragile  plug  (thrombus),  which  adheres  firmly  to  the  wall  of 
the  vein,  and  if  this  be  slit  open  indications  of  a  diseased  condition 
of  the  inner  coat  will  be  readily  detected.  When  large  regions  of  the 
lung  tissue  are  hepatized  the  main  air  tube  and  its  branches  are 
usually  filled  with  grayish,  cylindrical  branched  masses  of  fibrin  easily 
removed,  as  they  do  not  adhere  to  the  mucous  membrane. 

The  views  of  pathologists  differ  as  to  the  nature  of  the  earliest 
changes  in  pleuro-pneumonia,  and  it  is  not  within  the  scope  of  this 
work  to  present  imperfectly  developed  or  controverted  theories.  In 
the  foregoing  description  we  have  taken  as  a  type  the  acute  pleuro- 
pneumonia in  its  fully  developed  phase,  which  can  scarcely  be 
mistaken  for  any  other  disease.  We  have  seen  that  there  is  an  inflam- 
matory condition  of  the  connective  tissue  between  the  lobules,  result- 
ing in  the  exudation  of  coagulable  lymph.  This  inflammation  is 
equally  marked  around  the  blood  vessels  and  air  tubes.  It  leads  to 
inflammatory  changes  in  the  inner  wall  of  the  veins,  and  these  cause 
the  deposition  of  thrombi  or  plugs  in  the  vessels,  which  prevent  the 
return  of  the  blood.  The  blood  pumped  into  the  lung  tissue  through 
the  artery,  but  unable  to  get  out  by  wa}r  of  the  vein,  leaves  the  mesh- 
work  of  capillaries  around  the  air  vesicles,  enters  the  latter,  and  pro- 
duces the  firm  hepatized  condition  so  characteristic  of  this  disease. 
It  will  be  easily  understood  how  the  different  shades  of  color  from 
dark  red  to  grayish  or  yellowish  red  are  produced  if  we  bear  in  mind 
that  the  veins  in  different  parts  of  the  lung  tissue  are  plugged  at  dif- 
ferent times,  and  that  therefore  the  affected  regions  are  in  different 
stages  of  disease. 

The  complete  plugging  of  the  veins  may  lead  to  the  death  of  cir- 
cumscribed masses  of  lung  tissue.  A  line  of  separation  forms  between 
the  living  and  the  dead  tissue  and  a  thick  cyst  wall  of  fibrous  tissue 
forms  around  the  latter.  The  dead  tissue  for  a  time  preserves  the 
appearance  of  lung  tissue,  then  undergoes  disintegration  and  lique- 


372  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

faction.  The  softened  mass  is  finally  absorbed  and  the  walls  of  the 
cyst,  or  capsule  around  it,  gradually  collapse  and  form  a  cicatrix. 
This  favorable  termination  takes  place  only  when  the  dead  mass  is  not 
too  large.  It  may,  however,  involve  over  a  half  of  one  of  the  large 
lobes.  Under  such  circumstances  recovery  is  improbable.  A  more 
favorable  termination  is  the  abundant  growth  of  fibrous  tissue  around 
and  into  the  hepatized  masses.  The  formation  of  fibrous  tissue  may 
extend  to  the  pleura,  or  lung  covering,  and  cause  firm  adhesion  of  the 
lungs  to  the  chest  wall  and  to  the  pericardium,  or  heart  case. 

The  same  peculiar  inflammatory  changes  which  take  place  between 
the  lobules  of  the  lung  and  around  the  bronchi  and  vessels  may  invade 
the  pleural  cavity,  cause  extensive  membranous  and  spongy  deposits 
on  the  pleura  and  firm  deposits  around  the  heart  and  large  arteries, 
the  gullet,  and  windpipe. 

These  are  the  main  features  of  the  lung  disease  caused  by  contagious 
pleuro-pneumonia.  In  the  typical  acute  cases  there  are  a  sufficient 
number  of  peculiarities  to  enable  us  to  make  a  positive  diagnosis. 
There  are,  however,  many  cases  in  which  the  disease  is  restricted  to 
small  areas,  or  to  the  interlobular  tissue,  or  in  which  the  changes  are 
as  yet  imperfectly  developed,  or  else  so  far  advanced  that  doubts  may 
arise  as  to  the  true  nature  of  the  affection.  In  such  cases  all  obtain- 
able facts,  includingthe  histoiy  of  the  case,  the  symptoms  during  life, 
and  the  pathological  changes  observed  on  postmortem  examination 
must  be  taken  into  consideration.  Only  one  who  has  made  a  careful 
study  of  the  disease  is  fitted  to  decide  in  such  cases. 

Other  kinds  of  lung  disease  may  be  confounded  with  pleuro-pneu- 
monia because  of  certain  features  common  to  most  lung  diseases  of 
cattle.  The  inflammation  of  the  connective  tissue  between  the  lobules 
is  not  infrequently  observed  in  so-called  interstitial  pneumonia  and 
may  lead  to  the  formation  of  whitish  bands  intersecting  the  lung  tissue 
in  various  directions.  On  the  cut  surface  these  bands  maj^  give  rise 
to  a  decidedly  marbled  appearance.  Again,  in  traumatic  pneumonia, 
due,  as  its  name  implies,  to  the  entrance  of  foreign  bodies  into 
the  lung  tissue,  generally  from  the  paunch,  the  connective  tissue 
around  the  place  of  disease  becomes  inflamed  and  thickened  and  the 
disease  itself  may  simulate  pleuro-pneumonia  in  its  retrogressive 
stages  when  it  is  confined  to  a  small  portion  of  lung  tissue.  The  fill- 
ing up  of  the  interlobular  spaces  with  fibrin  and  connective  tissue  of 
inflammatory  origin  is  not  thus  limited  to  pleuro-pneumonia,  but  may 
appear  in  a  marked  degree  in  other  lung  diseases.  It  must  not  be 
inferred  from  this  statement  that  these  interlobular  changes  are  nec- 
essarily the  same  as  those  in  pleuro-pneumonia,  although  they  may 
appear  the  same  to  the  naked  eye.  We  simply  note  their  presence 
without  discussing  their  nature. 

In  general  the  distinction  between  pleuro-pneumonia  and  broncho- 
pneumonia isrnot  difficult  to  make.     In  the  latter  disease  the  pnmnno- 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  373 

nia  generally  invades  certain  lobes  as  indicated  by  the  dotted  line  on 
PI.  XXX.  The  disease  attacks  the  smaller  lobes  in  their  lowest  por- 
tions first  and  gradually  extends  upward,  i.  e.,  toward  the  root  of  the 
lung  or  the  back  of  the  animal  and  backward  into  the  large  principal 
lobes.  Again  both  lungs,  in  advanced  cases,  are  often  symmetrically 
affected,  as  shown  by  the  dotted  line  on  both  lungs  in  the  plate  referred 
to.  In  contagious  pleuro-pneumonia  the  lav-ge  principal  lobe  of  one 
side  is  most  frequently  affected,  and  a  symmetrical  disease  of  both 
lungs  is  very  rare,  if,  in  fact,  it  has  ever  been  observed.  The  lung 
tissue  in  broncho-pneumonia  is  not  enlarged,  but  rather  more  con- 
tracted than  the  normal  tissue  around  it.  This  is  well  illustrated  in 
Plate  XXXI.  Normal  air-containing  lobules  may  be  scattered  among 
and  around  the  hepatized  portion  in  an  irregular  manner.  In  pleuro- 
pneumonia the  diseased  and  health y  portions  are  either  sharply  divided 
off,  one  from  the  other,  or  else  they  shade  into  each  other  by  interme- 
diate stages. 

The  hepatized  lung  tissue  in  broncho-pneumonia  when  the  cut  sur- 
face is  examined  is  usually  of  a  more  or  less  dark  flesh  color  with  paler 
grayish  yellow  dots  regularly  interspersed,  giving  it  a  peculiar  mottled 
appearance.  In  the  more  advanced  stages  it  becomes  more  firm,  and 
may  contain  nodular  and  firmer  masses  disseminated  through  it.  The 
air  tubes  usually  contain  more  or  less  soft  creamy  or  cheesy  pus  or  a 
turbid  fluid  quite  different  from  the  loose  fibrinous  casts  of  acute 
pleuro-pneumonia.  The  interlobular  tissue  may  or  may  not  be 
affected.  It  sometimes  contains  loose  fibrinous  plugs,  or  it  may  be 
greatly  distended  with  air,  especially  in  the  still  normal  portions  of 
the  lung.  The  pleura  is  seldom  seriously  diseased.  If  we  contrast 
with  these  features  the  firm  dark-red  hepatizations,  the  plugging  of 
the  veins,  the  extensive  interlobular  deposits,  and  the  well-marked 
pleuritis  in  pleuro-pneumonia,  there  is  little  chance  for  confusion 
between  well-developed  cases  of  these  two  lung  diseases. 

It  should  not  be  forgotten,  however,  that  the  lesions  of  the  disease 
known  as  contagious  pleuro-pneumonia  may  be  confined  to  the  serous 
membranes  of  the  thorax,  or  they  may  be  confined  to  the  parenchyma 
of  the  lungs;  they  may  affect  a  whole  lobe,  or  only  a  small  portion  of 
the  lobe ;  they  may  or  may  not  cause  the  so-called  marbled  appear- 
ance. In  the  same  way  broncho-pneumonia  may  vary  as  to  the  parts 
of  the  lung  affected,  the  extent  of  the  lesions,  the  degree  and  kind  of 
pathological  changes  in  the  interlobular  tissue,  the  color  of  the  lung 
on  cross  section  and  the  amount  of  hepatization.  In  individual  cases, 
therefore,  it  is  often  necessary  to  take  into  account  the  history  of  the 
animal,  the  course  of  the  disease,  and  the  communicability  of  the 
affection  before  a  diagnosis  can  be  made  between  the  two  diseases. 

Prevention  and  treatment. — The  prevention  of  pleuro-pneumonia,  as 
of  other  contagious  diseases,  consists  in  keeping  animals  so  that  they 
will  not  be  exposed  to  the  contagion.     As  the  disease  only  arises  by 


374  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

contagion,  there  is  no  possibility  of  an  animal  becoming  affected  with 
it  unless  it  has  been  exposed.  If,  therefore,  pleuro-pneumonia  exists 
in  a  locality  the  owner  of  healthy  cattle  should  make  every  effort  to 
keep  his  animals  from  coming  near  those  which  are  affected  or  near 
any  which  have  been  exposed.  He  should  be  equally  particular  not 
to  allow  any  person  who  has  been  on  the  infected  premises  to  visit 
his  own  pastures,  stables,  or  cattle. 

If  pleuro-pneumonia  breaks  out  in  a  herd  every  animal  in  that  herd 
should  be  slaughtered,  the  stables  should  be  thoroughly  cleaned  and 
disinfected,  and  no  other  cattle  should  be  allowed  on  the  premises 
until  a  period  of  ninety  days  has  elapsed. 

Medical  treatment  of  affected  animals  is  unavailing  and  should  not 
be  attempted.  No  matter  how  valuable  the  diseased  animals  may  have 
been  before  they  contracted  the  disease,  they  should  at  once  be 
destroyed  and  the  contagion  eradicated.  This  is  the  best  policy  for 
the  individual  as  well  as  for  the  community. 

The  eradication  of  this  disease  by  local  or  national  governments  can 
only  be  successful  when  the  same  principles  are  adopted  and  carried 
out  as  are  here  recommended  for  individual  stables.  It  is  then  a  diffi- 
cult undertaking,  simply  because  the  contagion  is  generally  widely  dis- 
seminated before  any  measures  are  adopted,  and  because  a  great 
majority  of  cattle  owners  will  never  report  the  existence  of  the  dis- 
ease. Regulations  must  therefore  be  enforced  which  will  insure  the 
prompt  discovery  of  every  herd  in  which  the  disease  appears,  as  well 
as  the  destruction  of  all  diseased  and  exposed  animals  and  the  thor- 
ough disinfection  of  the  premises. 

To  discover  pleuro-pneumonia  sufficiently  early  for  this  purpose,  the 
district  supposed  to  be  infected  should  be  clearly  defined  and  a  suffi- 
cient force  of  inspectors  should  be  constantly  employed  to  inspect 
every  herd  in  that  district  at  least  once  in  two  weeks,  or,  better,  once 
a  week.  No  bovine  animal  should  be  allowed  to  go  out  of  the  defined 
district  alive,  and  all  which  enter  it  should  be  carefully  inspected  to 
insure  their  freedom  from  disease.  As  an  assistance  to  the  discovery 
of  diseased  herds,  every  animal  which  dies  in  the  infected  district 
from  any  cause,  and  every  animal  which  is  slaughtered,  even  if  appar- 
ently in  good  health,  should  be  the  subject  of  a  careful  post-mortem 
examination.     Many  affected  herds  will  be  found  in  this  way. 

In  addition  to  these  measures  it  is  also  necessary  to  guard  against 
the  removal  of  animals  from  one  stable  to  another,  and  the  mixing  of 
herds  upon  common  pastures  or  in  the  public  highways.  The  object 
must  be  to  isolate  every  individual's  cattle  as  completely  as  possible, 
or  otherwise  a  single  affected  animal  may  infect  a  dozen  or  more  herds. 
To  prevent  surreptitious  sale  or  trading  of  cattle,  each  animal  must 
in  some  way  be  numbered  and  recorded  in  the  books  kept  by  the  offi- 
cial in  charge  of  the  district.  In  the  work  of  the  United  States 
Department  of  Agriculture  a  numbered  metal  tag  was  fastened  to 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  375 

each  animal's  ear,  and  index  books  were  so  arranged  that  with  a 
number  given  the  owner  could  be  at  once  ascertained,  or  from  the 
owner's  name  the  cattle  for  which  lie  was  responsible  could  be  at  once 
learned.  In  this  way  if  an  animal  was  missing  from  a  stable  the  fact 
became  apparent  at  once,  or  if  one  animal  too  many  was  found  in  a 
stable  the  number  in  its  ear  would  indicate  where  it  came  from. 

When  pleuro-pneumonia  is  discovered  by  these  means,  the  entire 
herd  should  be  slaughtered  as  soon  as  the  formalities  of  appraisement 
can  be  arranged.  In  country  districts  the  carcasses  should  be  buried, 
as  it  is  generally  impracticable  to  dispose  of  them  in  any  other  way.  In 
city  districts  the  animals  may  be  taken  to  a  slaughterhouse,  with  such 
precautions  as  are  possible  to  prevent  dissemination  of  the  contagion. 
The  animals  should  be  slaughtered  under  the  supervision  of  an  inspector. 
The  healthy  carcasses  may  be  utilized  for  food,  but  the  blood,  entrails, 
and  all  diseased  carcasses  should  be  heated  to  a  temperature  equal  to 
or  above  boiling  water,  and  then  used  for  the  manufacture  of  fertilizers. 

The  disinfection  of  premises  should  be  thorough  and  should  be  car- 
ried out  by  a  trained  corps  of  men  employed  for  that  purpose.  The 
floors  of  stables  should  be  removed,  the  accumulations  removed  from 
beneath  them,  the  contents  of  haylofts  should  be  destroyed,  and  the 
woodwork  and  soil  beneath  the  stables  should  be  thoroughly  drenched 
with  a  solution  of  bichlorid  of  mercury,  1  part  to  2,000  of  water. 
After  the  flooring  is  replaced  the  woodwork  should  be  coated  with 
limewash,  containing  one-fourth  pound  of  chlorid  of  lime  to  the  gallon 
of  mixture. 

Usually  in  these  cases  the  owners  are  dependent  upon  their  herd  of 
cows  for  a  living,  and  consequently  it  is  difficult  or  impossible  to 
hold  the  stables  vacant  for  any  considerable  period.  In  a  majority  of 
instances  cattle  may  be  admitted  at  once  to  stables  so  disinfected, 
without  the  reappearance  of  the  disease.  Occasionally,  however,  it 
will  reappear  without  apparent  cause.  For  this  reason  the  inspection 
and  other  measures  must  be  maintained  in  the  infected  district  for  six 
months  or  a  year  after  the  last  case  of  disease  has  been  disposed  of. 

Many  people  have  objected  to  the  slaughter  of  diseased  and  exposed 
animals  as  an  unscientific  and  expensive  method  of  eradicating  this 
disease.  To  these  it  may  be  answered  that  it  is  the  only  method  which 
has  ever  proved  successful,  and  that  in  the  end  it  is  much  more  eco- 
nomical than  temporizing  measures. 

Inoculation  has  been  adopted  in  many  countries,  and  has  undoubt- 
edly lessened  the  death  rate,  but  the  disease  is  kept  up  and  spreads 
where  this  practice  is  allowed.  For  this  reason  it  should  be  prohibited 
wherever  there  is  a  possibility  and  disposition  to  eradicate  the  con- 
tagion. 

RINDERPEST. 

Rinderpest,  also  known  as  cattle  plague,  is  an  acute,  infectious  dis- 
ease of  cattle,  in  which  the  digestive  organs  are  mainly  involved. 


376  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

Though  unknown  in  this  country,  the  importance  of  having  near  at 
hand  a  few  definite  facts  concerning  this  disease,  should  it  ever  reach 
our  shores,  will  be  at  once  appreciated.  A  knowledge  of  such  facts 
may  aid  in  an  early  recognition  of  the  disease.  It  must  not  be  for- 
gotten, ou  the  other  hand,  that  a  superficial  knowledge  of  diseases, 
such  as  the  layman  may  gain  through  reading,  not  infrequently  leads 
to  confounding  comparatively  harmless,  noninfectious  maladies  with 

PLEURO-PNEUMONIA. 

[Description  of  plates.] 

Plate  XXX.  The  dorsal,  or  upper,  surface  of  the  lungs  of  the  ox  reduced  to 
one-sixth  of  the  natural  size:  a,  a',  the  right  and  the  left  principal  lobes.  These 
are  the  largest  and  are  situated  posteriorly,  resting  upon  the  diaphragm;  b,  b' ,  the 
ventral  lobes,  situated  between  the  principal  lobes,  and  c,  c' ,  c" ,  the  most  anterior, 
or  cephalic,  lobes ;  c,c',c",  anterior,  or  cephalic,  lobes.  The  right  anterior  is  divided 
into  two  lobes  (c,  c'),  the  left  is  single  (c");  d,  trachea,  or  windpipe. 

Those  portions  of  the  lung  tissue  lying  outside  of  the  dotted  lines  are  the  ones 
most  commonly  affected  in  the  ordinary  types  of  pneumonia.  In  the  majority  of 
the  lungs  examined  in  the  laboratory  of  the  Bureau,  which  were  affected  with 
contagious  pleuro-pneumonia,  the  principal  lobes  (a,  a'  I  were  primarily  affected. 

Plate  XXXI.  The  ventral,  or  middle,  lobe  of  the  right  lung  affected  with  col- 
lapse and  beginning  broncho-pneumonia.  The  light  yellowish  portions  represent 
healthy  lung  tissue;  the  red  represents  the  disease.  It  will  be  noticed  that  the 
lines  between  the  lobules  are  quite  faint,  indicating  little  or  no  inflammation  of 
the  connective  tissue  between  the  lobules.  The  healthy  lung  tissue  is  seen  to  be 
raised  above  the  level  of  the  diseased  portion.  In  contagious  pleuro-pneumonia 
the  exact  reverse  is  the  case,  the  diseased  portions  being  very  much  larger  than 
the  healthy. 

Plate  XXXII.  Appearance  of  a  cow's  lung  affected  with  contagious  pleuro- 
pneumonia when  sections  or  slices  are  made  of  it  and  cut  surfaces  examined. 
Fig.  1 .  Transverse  section  through  the  right  principal  lobe  in  a  case  of  acute  pleuro- 
pneumonia. The  area  drawn  includes  the  air  tubes,  veins,  and  arteries,  and  illus- 
trates the  great  thickening  of  the  interlobular  connective  tissue  into  broad  whitish 
bands,  and  of  the  walls  of  the  air  tubes,  veins,  and  arteries:  a,  air  tube  cut 
obliquely;  a',  air  tube  cut  directly  across ;  b,  arteries  cut  across:  c,  large  vein  com- 
pletely occluded  by  a  thrombus,  or  plug,  formed  during  life.  The  great  thicken- 
ing of  the  walls  of  the  artery  and  vein  in  this  disease  is  especially  brought  out  by 
stating  that  in  the  healthy  lung  they  are  so  thin  as  to  be  easily  overlooked.  Fig.  2. 
Transverse  section  of  the  principal  lobe  in  a  case  of  acute  pleuro-pneumonia, 
illustrating  the  different  kinds  of  hepatization  or  consolidation  of  the  lung.  These 
are  indicated  by  the  different  colors  from  dark  red  to  reddish  yellow.  This  varia- 
tion of  color  is  regarded  by  some  as  the  real  marbling  characteristic  of  pleuro- 
pneumonia, while  the  whitish  bands  penetrating  the  lung  tissue  in  all  directions 
constitute  th"  true  marbling  according  to  other  observers. 

Plate  XXXIII  illustrates  what  are  called  infarctions  in  pleuro-pneumonia. 
The  right  half  of  the  figure  shows  nearly  normal  lung  tissue.  The  le't  represents 
a  blackish  mass  in  which  the  lung  tissue  is  filled  with  blood  and  solidified.  This 
is  caused  by  the  plugging  of  the  vein  carrying  away  the  blood  from  this  portion. 
The  heart  forces  the  blood  through  the  artery  into  the  tissue  at  considerable  pres- 
sure, but,  owing  to  the  fact  that  its  return  is  prevented,  the  minute  blood  vessels 
rupture  and  the  air  vesicles  become  distended  with  blood,  which  coagulates  and 
causes  the  firmness  of  the  tissue. 


Diseases  of  Cattle 


Plate  xxx 


b 


Upper, or  Dorsal,  surface  of  the  Lungs  ofthe  Ox 

('/i2   NATURAL  size. 


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Diseases  or  Cattle 


Plate  xxxi 


Haines  del 


>  UIEN  &  CO.! 


Broncho- Pneumonia 


Diseases  of  Cattle 


Plate  xxxi 


Contagious  Pleuro-pneumonia 


Diseases  of  Cattle 


Plate  xxxiii 


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INFECTIOUS    DISEASES    OF   CATTLE.  377 

such  as  are  truly  dangerous  (foot-and-mouth  disease,  rinderpest,  etc.), 
and  causes  temporary  panics  among  stock  owners. 

Rinderpest  has  its  home,  according  to  some  authorities,  in  the  terri- 
tory around  the  Black  Sea  and  the  Volga  River  in  Russia;  according  to 
others,  in  Central  Asia.  Thence  it  has  been  conveyed  it  various  times 
by  cattle  to  nearly  every  country  of  Europe  and  Asia,  where  it  has 
proved  a  veritable  bovine  scourge.  It  probably  visited  Europe  as 
early  as  the  beginning  of  the  Christian  era,  and  the  migrations  of 
people  from  the  far  East  have  since  then  introduced  the  disease  from 
time  to  time.  Especially  during  the  eighteenth  century  it  was  more 
or  less  prevalent  in  Europe,  owing  to  the  frequent  wars,  during  which 
herds  of  cattle  were  brought  from  eastern  Europe  and  Asia  to  supply 
the  demands  of  the  armies.  It  prevailed  in  Europe  during  the  Franco- 
Prussian  war.  At  present  it  exists  in  Russia,  South  Africa,  and  the 
Philippines. 

The  virus  is  convej^ed  from  one  country  to  another  chiefly  by  means 
of  infected  cattle,  although  infected  hides,  wool,  and  food  may  play 
an  important  part  in  its  dissemination.  The  railroad  facilities  of  the 
present,  which  furnish  the  means  of  such  rapid  communication,  are 
particularly  liable  to  aid  in  the  spread  of  the  disease. 

In  the  past  rinderpest  has  been  supposed  to  be  identical  with  various 
human  diseases,  among  them  smallpox  and  tj^phoid  fever.  These  sup- 
positions are  unfounded,  and  the  view  of  authorities  to-day  is  that  it 
is  a  disease  of  a  peculiar  kind,  not  identical  with  any  other  known 
infectious  disease. 

The  contagion  of  rinderpest. — The  cause  of  rinderpest  must  be 
looked  for  among  micro-organisms — most  likely  bacteria.  However, 
the  investigations  made  thus  far  for  this  causal  factor  have  been 
fruitless,  although  certain  recent  experiments  would  indicate  that 
the  unseen  microbe  is  of  such  dimensions  that  it  is  withheld  by  the 
dense  bacterial  filters,  but  passes  through  the  more  porous  ones.  It 
was  formerly  supposed  by  various  authorities  that  rinderpest  virus 
appeared  spontaneously  under  the  influence  of  deteriorated  food  and 
long  and  exhausting  drives,  also  during  unusual  meteorological  con- 
ditions. This  view,  however,  is  no  longer  maintained.  It  is  probable 
that  the  disease  in  its  home  in  Asia  is  perpetuated  by  continual  infec- 
tion of  fresh  animals,  and  some  authorities  even  go  so  far  as  to  believe 
that  the  disease  would  be  entirely  stamped  out,  even  in  its  native 
haunts,  by  a  destruction  of  all  sick  and  infected  herds.  However  this 
may  be,  the  success  of  such  an  undertaking  would  largely  depend  on 
the  nature  of  the  cause.  If  a  strictly  parasitic  organism,  like  the  con- 
tagion of  pleuro-pneumonia,  it  might  be  completely  extirpated  in  thif 
way.  If,  however,  the  germs  or  bacteria  may  live  and  multiply  out- 
side of  the  bovine  body,  in  the  soil,  water,  or  in  some  other  animal, 
extirpation  would  be  impossible. 

The  virus  may  be  transmitted  from  sick  to  healthy  animals  in  a 


378  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

varietjr  of  ways,  both  direct  and  indirect.  It  is  said  to  be  present  in 
the  various  excreta  of  the  diseased,  such  as  the  discharges  from  the 
nose,  and  the  saliva,  the  urine,  and  the  manure.  It  retains  its  vitality 
outside  of  the  body  in  a  moist  state  for  months,  and  the  disease  is 
reported  to  hav  N  developed  after  feeding  hay  a  year  after  it  has  lain 
in  an  infected  si  ible.  Hence  manure  and  the  fodder  and  bedding 
soiled  with  the  discharges  may  convey  the  disease.  Persons  may 
carry  the  virus  on  their  shoes,  clothing,  and  implements.  Even  small 
animals,  such  as  cats  and  rats,  which  frequent  barns  and  stables  have 
been  looked  upon  as  carriers  of  the  virus. 

Cattle  are  very  susceptible  to  the  disease,  and  in  its  virulent  type 
all  those  exposed  are  said  to  become  infected.  Buffaloes,  sheep,  and 
goats  are  likewise  susceptible,  but  in  a  less  degree. 

It  is  also  claimed  that  animals  after  having  passed  through  one 
attack  are  able  to  resist  successfully  future  attacks.  Inoculation  with 
virus  is  said  to  produce  immunity,  but  the  process  of  inoculation  itself 
is  followed  by  death  in  many  cases. 

Symptoms. — The  symptoms  of  rinderpest  are  not  very  characteristic, 
and  hence  the  diagnosis  of  a  suspected  case  in  the  beginning  of  an 
invasion  is  attended  with  difficulties.  Certain  appearances  which  are 
characteristic  of  one  epizootic  may  be  absent  in  another.  Different 
observers  are  not  quite  agreed  as  to  the  most  constant  and  important. 

The  period  of  incubation,  i.  e.,  the  time  elapsing  between  the  expo- 
sure to  infection  and  the  earliest  outward  symptoms,  varies  from  three 
to  nine  days.  Then  the  first  sign  is  a  very  high  fever  temperature,  which 
may  reach  107°  F.  The  heat  of  the  skin  varies  in  different  parts  of 
the  body,  and  may  be  felt  at  the  base  of  the  ears  and  horns.  Repeated 
chills  are  frequently  observed.  The  pulse  reaches  50  to  60  beats  per 
minute,  and  may  rise  to  90  or  100  in  very  severe  attacks. 

The  animal  manifests  great  debility.  The  head  droops  and  rests 
an  some  object  of  support.  One  or  both  ears  may  droop.  The  coat 
is  staring  and  the  muzzle  dry.  The  secretion  of  milk  diminishes  very 
rapidly.  Within  twelve  to  twenty  hours  the  usual  quantity  may  have 
become  reduced  one-half  or  two-thirds.  The  back  is  arched,  and  the 
four  limbs  are  brought  together  under  the  body. 

As  the  disease  progresses,  symptoms  with  reference  to  the  digestive 
and  respiratory  organs  become  prominent.  The  mucous  membrane 
of  the  mouth  and  the  nose,  as  well  as  that  of  the  rectum  and  vagina, 
becomes  reddened,  either  in  patches  or  diffusely,  and  assumes  a  scarlet 
hue.  The  discharges,  at  first  firm,  become  softer,  and  soon  diarrhea 
sets  in.  This  is  said  to  be  one  of  the  most  constant  symptoms.  The 
red  vim  may  become  everted  and  paralyzed,  and  the  bowels  move 
spontaneously.  Th«  discharges  become  fetid,  viscid,  and  streaked 
with  blood.  Coughing  is  a  common  symptom,  and  by  some  considered 
characteristic.  It  is  associated  with  discharges  from  the  nose  and 
vagina  and  dribbling  of  saliva  from  the  mouth.     The  eyes  also  are 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  379 

affected.     There  is  an  increased  formation  of  a  viscid  secretion  which 
flows  down  the  face. 

Another  series  of  changes  prominent  in  some  epizootics  and  mild  or 
absent  in  others  are  the  ulcers,  or  so-called  "erosions,"  in  the  mouth. 
These  begin  as  red  patches  and  streaks.  The  mucous  membrane  in 
such  localities  is  converted  into  a  grayish  white  slough,  which,  when 
shed,  leaves  a  small  erosion,  or  ulcer.  At  the  same  time  similar  changes 
may  go  on  in  the  skin  of  the  thighs,  the  udder,  or  the  scrotum,  and 
about  the  vagina,  which  lead  to  small  sloughs. 

In  severe  cases,  which  are  the  most  common  in  the  susceptible  cattle 
of  western  Europe,  death  ensues  four  to  seven  days  after  the  first 
appearance  of  the  disease,  and  is  preceded  by  great  emaciation  and 
debility,  fetid,  purulent  discharges  from  nose  and  mouth,  and  the 
relaxed  rectum  and  vagina. 

After  death,  if  the  animal  be  opened  and  the  organs  carefully  exam- 
ined, the  chief  changes  will  be  found  in  the  digestive  organs.  The 
lining  membrane  of  the  mouth  and  pharynx  is  covered  with  mucus, 
is  reddened  in  spots,  and  shows  superficial  yellowish  gray,  cheesy 
patches,  which  represent  dead  tissue  and  when  removed  expose  ulcer- 
ated depressions.  The  same  reddening  in  spots  and  the  yellowish 
gray,  cheesy  deposits  or  patches  are  found  in  the  fourth  stomach,  the 
small  intestines,  and  more  rarely  in  the  cecum,  while  the  third  stom- 
ach, or  manyplies,  is  mere  or  less  impacted  with  dry,  hard  food.  Simi- 
lar changes  may  be  found  on  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  nasal  cavity, 
larynx,  trachea,  the  uterus,  vagina,  and  rectum.  The  lungs  majr  be 
injected,  edematous,  or  pneumonic.  The  heart  muscle  is  pale  and 
flabby,  and  frequently  hemorrhages  are  observed  in  its  internal  mem- 
brane. The  liver  may  be  pale  or  injected  with  blood,  and  at  times 
shows  hemorrhages  beneath  its  capsule.  The  bile  is  thin  and  water}' 
in  consistence.  The  kidneys  may  be  inflamed  or  contain  small  hem- 
orrhages within  their  substance  or  under  the  capsule.  The  lymphatic 
glands  may  be  swollen  and  injected  or  even  hemorrhagic. 

Treatment. — On  account  of  the  danger  of  spreading  the  infection, 
neither  medicinal  treatment  nor  inoculation  is  permitted  in  European 
countries,  with  the  exception  of  Russia,  where  the  disease  is  more 
generally  diffused.  The  most  effective  method  of  exterminating  rin- 
derpest in  those  districts  in  which  the  disease  is  not  indigenous  has 
been  found  to  be  the  slaughter  of  all  affected  and  exposed  animals. 
Where  the  disease  is  general,  successful  efforts  adopted  for  its  con- 
trol have  followed  the  immunization  by  inoculation  of  the  exposed 
animals  and  a  strict  application  of  appropriate  sanitary  measures. 
This  protective  inoculation  has  been  practiced  with  very  gratifying 
results  in  Russia,  South  Africa,  and  in  the  Philippine  Islands.  An 
active  immunity  is  thus  induced  in  susceptible  animals  which  lasts 
until  the  danger  from  exposure  to  the  disease  is  over.  This  immu- 
nity may  be  attained  (1)  by  the  inoculation  of  pure  bile  from  an  animal 


380  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

which  recently  died  of  rinderpest,  (2)  by  the  inoculation  of  glycerinated 
bile,  followed  by  pure  bile  or  virulent  blood,  or  (3)  by  the  simultaneous 
inoculation  of  strong  standardized  serum  and  virulent  blood. 

The  latter  method  has  been  adopted  by  the  United  States  Govern- 
ment in  its  endeavor  to  exterminate  the  disease  in  the  Philippines 
and  to  protect  the  cattle  and  carabaos  against  rinderpest  after  their 
importation  into  those  islands.  Owing  to  the  existence  of  this  and 
other  infectious  diseases  in  the  Philippine  Islands,  an  order  has  been 
issued  by  the  Department  of  Agriculture  prohibiting  the  landing  of 
any  live  stock  or  animals  of  any  kind  from  the  Philippines  at  any  of 
the  ports  of  the  United  States  or  the  dependencies  thereof.  This  pro- 
hibition removes  the  greatest  source  of  danger  to  which  the  United 
States  is  exposed  as  the  result  of  its  intercourse  with  the  Philippine 
Islands.  The  introduction  of  rinderpest  from  those  countries  from 
which  we  import  animals  is  rendered  extremely  improbable,  especially 
in  live  animals,  owing  to  its  short  period  of  incubation  and  to  the 
sixty-day  quarantine  for  cattle  (counting  from  date  of  shipment)  and 
fifteen-day  (counting  from  date  of  landing)  quarantine  for  sheep  and 
other  ruminants  and  swine  which  are  at  present  enforced  in  the  United 
States  at  all  ports  of  entry. 

FOOT-AND-MOUTH    DISEASE. 

This  disease  is  also  known  as  epizootic  aphtha,  aphthous  fever,  infec- 
tious aphtha,  eczema  epizootica,  and  may  be  defined  as  an  acute, 
highly  contagious  fever  of  a  specific  nature,  characterized  by  the  erup- 
tion of  vesicles,  or  blisters,  in  the  mouth,  around  the  coronets  of  the 
feet,  and  between  the  toes. 

The  tremendous  ravages  of  the  disease  are  seen  in  the  number  and 
variety  of  species  attacked.  While  it  may  be  regarded  as  essentialby 
a  disease  of  cattle,  hogs  would  seem  to  be  as  easy  a  prey.  Almost  in 
the  same  grade  of  receptivity  come  sheep  and  goats.  Next  in  order  of 
liability  come  the  buffalo,  American  bison,  camel,  deer,  chamois, 
llama,  giraffe,  and  antelope.  Horses,  dogs,  cats,  and  even  poultry 
have  been  victims  of  the  infection,  the  last  three  classes  being  par- 
ticularly dangerous  as  carriers  of  the  contagion.  Man  himself  is  not 
immune,  and  the  frequency  of  his  infection  by  coming  in  contact  with 
the  diseased  animals  themselves  is  established  by  numerous  observa- 
tions. Children  suffer  as  a  result  of  drinking  the  unboiled  milk  from 
infected  cattle.  In  such  cases  the  symptoms  resemble  those  observed 
in  animals.  There  is  fever  and  difficulty  in  swallowing,  followed  by 
an  eruption  of  blisters  in  the  mouth  and  very  rarely  by  similar  ones 
on  the  fingers.  The  disease  is  very  seldom  fatal,  and  chiefly  restricted 
to  children  and  to  those  adults  who  handle  sick  animals  or  drink  large 
quantities  of  unboiled  milk.  Some  veterinarians  regard  the  human 
affection  as  by  no  means  uncommon  in  countries  where  foot-and-mouth 
disease  prevails,  but  that  the  disturbance  of  health  is  usually  too 
slight  to  come  to  the  notice  of  the  family  doctor. 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  381 

The  disease  prevails  in  European  countries  and  occasions  great 
losses.  Although  the  actual  mortality  is  quite  low,  serious  losses 
result  from  the  diminution  of  the  milk  secretion  and  consequent  inter- 
ference with  the  business  of  the  dairy.  There  is  likewise  more  or  less 
loss  of  flesh  in  animals. 

Every  appearance  of  foot-and-mouth  disease  upon  American  soil 
has  been  quickly  followed  by  the  total  suppression  of  the  disease,  and 
it  will  therefore  be  necessary  to  go  abroad  for  evidences  of  the  devas- 
tation which  always  follows  in  the  wake  of  an  outbreak  of  this  scourge 
and  for  estimates  of  the  loss  which  it  entails  upon  the  farmers  and 
stock  owners  in  affected  districts. 

According  to  the  very  accurate  statistics  collected  by  the  German 
Empire,  431,235  head  of  cattle,  230,868  sheep  and  goats,  and  153,808 
swine  were  affected  with  the  disease  in  that  country  in  1890.  The 
infection,  quite  insignificant  in  1886,  had  been  gradually  spreading 
until  it  reached  the  enormous  figures  given  above  in  1890.  During 
this  same  year  it  prevailed  in  France,  Italy,  Belgium,  Austria- 
Hungary,  Switzerland,  Roumania,  and  Bulgaria. 

The  losses  from  this  disease  in  England  in  the  year  1883  were  esti- 
mated at  $5,000,000.  An  English  practitioner  of  wide  experience  states 
that  it  is  none  too  high  to  place  the  loss  upon  each  animal  that  becomes 
infected  but  that  ultimately  recovers  at  $20,  when  milch  cows  or  feed- 
ing cattle  that  are  nearly  finished  are  under  consideration.  On  store 
cattle  and  calves  the  loss  is  proportionally  less. 

Estimating  the  losses  upon  the  surviving  animals  from  this  basis 
and  adding  the  value  of  those  that  die,  it  will  be  seen  that  an  outbreak 
of  this  disease  may  quickly  result  in  direct  losses  of  many  millions  of 
dollars.  In  addition  to  this,  a  considerable  spread  of  the  contagion 
in  this  country  would  entail  the  entire  loss  of  our  export  trade  in  live 
animals,  interruptions  of  domestic  commerce,  and  quarantines,  which 
would  surpass  the  loss  caused  by  the  ravages  of  the  disease. 

Unlike  most  other  infectious  diseases,  foot-and-mouth  disease  may 
attack  the  same  animals  repeatedly.  The  immunity  or  protection 
conferred  is  thus  only  of  limited  duration.  Hence  protective  inoc- 
ulation with  the  virus,  in  whatever  manner  it  may  be  practiced, 
is  not  only  of  no  use,  but  decidedly  dangerous,  as  it  will  introduce  the 
disease.  It  is,  however,  not  uncommon  in  European  countries  to 
practice  inoculation  after  the  disease  has  appeared  in  a  herd  in  order 
to  hasten  its  progress.  This  is  highly  recommended  by  some,  since 
it  not  only  hastens  the  infection,  but  the  disease  is  apt  to  be  milder 
and  limited  to  the  mouth.  It  consists  in  rubbing  with  the  finger  or  a 
piece  of  cloth  a  little  of  the  mucus  from  the  mouth  of  a  diseased  ani- 
mal upon  the  inner  surface  of  the  upper  lip  of  those  to  be  inoculated. 
From  50  to  75  per  cent  of  the  inoculated  animals  take  the  disease. 

Cause. — As  with  other  communicable  diseases,  the  source  and  ori- 
gin of  foot-and-mouth  disease  has  given  rise  to  much  speculation. 


382  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

The  disease  had  been  known  in  Europe  for  centuries,  but  it  was  not 
until  a  comparatively  recent  date  that  the  erroneous  conceptions  of 
its  spontaneous  origin  as  a  result  of  climatic  and  meteorological  condi- 
tions, exhausting  journeys,  etc.,  were  abandoned.  It  is  now  con- 
ceded that  foot-and-mouth  disease  is  propagated  by  a  specific  virus 
and  that  every  outbreak  starts  from  some  preexisting  outbreak. 

The  causative  agent  of  this  disease  has  not  been  isolated,  although 
numerous  attempts  have  been  made  to  cultivate  and  stain  it.  Experi- 
ments have  shown  that  the  virus  will  pass  through  standard  germ- 
proof  filters,  thus  indicating  its  minute  size  and  the  reason  it  has  not 
been  detected  by  the  staining  methods.  The  contagion  may  be  found 
in  the  serum  of  the  vesicles  on  the  mouth,  feet,  and  udder;  in  the 
saliva,  milk,  and  various  secretions  and  excretions;  also  in  the  blood 
during  the  rise  of  temperature. 

A  wide  distribution  of  the  virus  and  a  rapid  infection  of  a  herd  is 
the  result.  Animals  may  be  infected  directly,  as  by  licking,  and  in 
calves  by  sucking,  or  indirectly  by  fomites,  such  as  infected  manure, 
hay,  utensils,  drinking  troughs,  railway  cars,  animal  markets,  barn- 
yards, and  pastures.  Human  beings  may  carry  the  virus  on  their 
clothing  and  transmit  it  on  their  hands  when  milking,  since  the  udder 
is  occasionally  the  seat  of  the  eruption.  Milk  in  a  raw  state  may  also 
transmit  the  disease  to  animals  fed' with  it. 

The  observations  made  by  some  veterinarians  would  lead  us  to  sup- 
pose that  the  virus  is  quite  readily  destroyed.  It  is  claimed  that 
stables  thoroughly  cleaned  become  safe  after  drying  for  a  short  time. 
Hence  litter  of  all  kinds,  such  as  manure  or  soiled  hay  and  straw, 
may  remain  infective  for  a  longer  time  because  they  do  not  dry  out. 
Other  authorities  maintain  that  the  virus  is  quite  tenacious  and  may 
live  in  stables  even  so  long  as  a  year.  They  also  state  that  animals 
which  have  passed  through  the  disease  may  be  a  source  of  infection 
for  several  months  after  recovery. 

Symptoms. — In  three  to  six  days  after  the  exposure  of  the  ani- 
mal to  the  infection  the  disease  makes  its  appearance.  It  is  first 
indicated  by  the  animal  suffering  from  a  chill,  quickly  followed 
by  an  invasion  of  fever,  which  niay  cause  the  temperature  to  rise  as 
high  as  106°  F.  Following  this  in  one  or  two  days  it,  will  be  noticed 
that  small  vesicles  about  the  size  of  hemp  seeds  or  peas  are  making 
their  appearance  upon  the  mucous  membranes  of  the  mouth  at  the 
border  and  upper  surface  of  the  tongue  near  the  tip,  the  inside  of  the 
cheeks,  on  the  gums  and  the  inner  surface  of  the  lips,  or  on  the  mar- 
gin of  the  dental  pad.  These  little  blebs  contain  a  yellowish  watery 
fluid  and  gradually  become  more  extensive  as  the  disease  advances. 
Soon  after  the  eruptions  have  appeared  in  the  mouth  of  the  animal  it 
will  be  noticed  that  there  is  considerable  swelling,  redness,  and  ten- 
derness manifest  about  the  feet,  at  the  coronet  and  between  the  digits 
of  each  foot.     Eruptions  similar  to  those  within  the  mouth  make  their 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  383 

appearance  upon  these  swollen  regions  of  the  foot  a  day  or  two  later, 
and  at  this  stage  it  is  usual  to  find  that  like  lesions  have  made  their 
appearance  upon  the  perineum  of  the  victim.  In  the  case  of  milch 
cows  the  udder  and  more  particularly  the  teats  show  the  same  vesicu- 
lar eruption,  but  the  latter  as  the  result  of  milking  soon  become  cov- 
ered with  reddened  spots  deprived  of  the  superficial  layer  of  skin  and 
may  develop  deep,  obstinate  fissures. 

As  soon  as  the  disease  has  become  well  established  the  patient 
evinces  pain  when  attempting  to  eat ;  in  fact,  the  appetite  is  often  so 
seriously  affected  that  all  food  is  refused  and  the  animal  uneasily 
opens  and  shuts  its  mouth  with  a  characteristic  smacking  sound, 
while  strings  of  cohesive,  ropy  saliva  hang  suspended  from  the  lips. 
With  the  advance  of  the  disease  the  vesicles  have  widened  and 
extended  until  they  may  reach  a  diameter  ranging  from  that  of  a  dime 
to  that  of  a  silver  dollar.  These  rupture  soon  after  their  appearance, 
sometimes  on  the  first  day,  more  rarely  on  the  second  or  third  day. 
After  they  have  ruptured  the  grayish  white  membrane  forming  the 
blister  may  remain  attached  for  a  day  or  more  or  disappear  speedily 
and  leave  deeply  reddened  sensitive  spots  or  erosions  behind,  both 
within  the  mouth  and  upon  the  coronet  and  between  the  claws  of  the 
feet.  The  same  ulceration  may  be  noticed  in  cases  in  which  the  teats 
of  milch  cows  have  become  affected,  and  instances  are  reported  in 
which  sloughing  of  the  tegument  immediately  around  the  ulcer  upon 
the  udder  has  occurred.  Owing  to  the  tough,  fibrous  nature  of  the 
bovine  skin,  it  is  exceeding  rare  for  sloughing  to  occur  upon  any  part 
of  the  body  other  than  those  mentioned. 

The  attack  upon  the  feet  of  an  animal  is  frequently  manifested  in 
all  four  feet  at  once,  but  one  or  more  of  the  feet  may  entirely  escape 
and  remain  unaffected  throughout  the  course  of  the  disease.  As  the 
feet  become  sensitive  and  sore  the  animal  lies  down  persistently,  and 
it  has  been  found  that  bed  sores  develop  with  amazing  rapidity  in  all 
such  cases  and  wholly  baffle  all  attempts  at  treatment  until  after  the 
patient  has  regained  its  feet. 

The  disease  may  attack  some  of  the  internal  organs  before  it 
appears  upon  any  of  the  external  tissues.  These  cases  are  very  liable 
to  prove  quickly  fatal.  The  animal  dies  from  paralysis  of  the  heart 
due  to  the  formation  of  poisonous  principles  within  the  system,  or  it 
may  suffocate  by  reason  of  the  action  of  these  same  poisons  upon  the 
tissues  of  the  lungs,  or  it  may  choke  to  death  as  a  result  of  paralysis 
of  the  throat. 

In  cases  of  serious  affection  of  the  udder  the  erosions  will  often  be 
found  located  within  the  passages  of  the  teats,  resulting  in  a  "  caked" 
udder,  and  the  same  toxic  poisoning,  which  is  the  cause  of  death  in 
the  apoplectiform  types  just  mentioned,  may  arise  from  this  source. 
In  any  event  the  milk  from  such  cases  will  be  found  dangerous  for 
use,  causing  fatal  diarrhea  in  sucking  calves   or  young  pigs  and 


384  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

serious  illness  in  human  consumers.  The  milk  obtained  from  cows 
suffering  with  foot-and-mouth  disease  is  not  readily  converted  into 
either  butter  or  cheese,  but  remains  thick,  slimy,  and  inert  in  spite  of 
churning  and  attempts  at  curdling.  The  ulceration  of  the  interdigital 
tissue  may  extend  to  the  ligaments  of  the  fetlock  or  produce  disease 
of  the  joint  or  bone.  Pregnant  animals  may  abort.  In  pigs,  sheep, 
and  goats  the  lesions  in  the  foot  are  most  common,  but  both  forms 
may  be  observed  or  only  the  mouth  lesions. 

When  the  disease  has  become  fully  established  it  will  be  found  that 
the  duration  of  the  attack  will  vary  greatly  with  different  animals. 
From  ten  to  twenty  days  are  usually  required  for  the  recovery  of  the 
normal  appetite  and  spirits  in  mild  outbreaks,  while  the  return  to  a 
full  flow  of  milk,  in  the  case  of  milch  cows,  is  seldom  witnessed  before 
the  arrival  of  the  following  season. 

In  the  malignant  type  of  the  disease  it  requires  from  three  months 
to  a  year  for  an  animal  to  recover.  The  mortality  is  not  great,  gen- 
erally about  1  to  3  per  cent,  but  in  severe  outbreaks  it  may  reach  5 
per  cent.  It  is  more  fatal  in  young  animals  that  have  been  fed  on 
infected  milk,  and  produces  death  in  from  60  to  80  per  cent  of  these 
cases  as  a  result  of  gastro-enteritis. 

Diagnosis. — The  recognition  of  this  affection  should  not,  as  a  rule, 
be  difficult,  especially  when  the  disease  is  known  to  be  in  the  vicin- 
ity; in  fact,  the  group  of  symptoms  form  a  clinical  picture  too  decided 
to  be  doubted.  The  combination  of  high  fever,  vesicular  inflamma- 
tion of  the  mouth,  and  hot,  painful,  swollen  condition  of  the  feet, 
followed  in  twenty-four  to  forty-eight  hours  by  the  appearance  of 
numerous  small  vesicles  varying  ia  size  from  that  of  a  pea  to  that  of 
a  hazel  nut  on  the  udder  and  feet  and  in  the  mouth  should  prevent  any 
serious  or  long-continued  error  in  the  diagnosis.  However,  in  the  inoc- 
ulation of  calves  we  have  a  certain  and  final  test.  In  twenty-four  to 
seventy-two  hours  after  inoculation  the  calves  present  the  character- 
istic vesicles.  Such  inoculation  should  be  practiced,  however,  only  by 
officials  who  are  properly  authorized  to  deal  with  contagious  diseases. 

Differential  diagnosis. — It  can  be  asserted  positively  that  no  dis- 
ease of  cattle  closely  simulates  the  symptoms  of  the  eruption  of  aph- 
thous fever  on  the  lining  membrane  of  the  month.  Cowpox  or  horse- 
pox  may  be  accidentally  transmitted  by  inoculation.  But  the  eruption 
in  the  "pox"  goes  on  to  the  development  of  a  pustule,  while  in  foot- 
and-mouth  disease  the  eruption  is  never  more  than  a  vesicle,  even 
though  the  contained  fluid  may  become  turbid. 

The  inoculation  test  in  the  case  of  cowpox  does  not  respond  with 
fever  and  eruption  for  at  least  ten  days,  and  often  longer. 

In  mycotic  stomatitis  or  inflammation  of  the  lining  membrane  of 
the  mouth  the  entire  buccal  cavity  is  inflamed  and  in  a  few  days  the 
croupous  membrane  forms,  peels  off,  and  exposes  a  raw,  bleeding  sur- 
face, while  the  thin  skin  between  the  toes  may  also  be  inflamed.    The 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  385 

previous  history  of  the  case;  the  failure  of  the  vesicles,  if  any  appear, 
to  spread  extensively ;  the  absence  of  vesicular  eruptions  on  other 
portions  of  the  body,  notably  the  udder  and  teats,  and,  characteris- 
tically, the  hoof,  together  with  the  absence  of  infection  in  the  herd 
and  the  complete  negative  character  of  inoculation  of  calves,  distin- 
guish between  the  local  disease  named  and  foot-and-mouth  disease'. 

The  lesion  resulting  from  ergotism  inay  be  differentiated  from  those 
of  foot-and-mouth  disease  by  the  lack  of  eruptions  in  the  mouth  and 
by  the  location  of  the  disease  at  the  tips  of  the  ears,  end  of  the  tail, 
or  upon  the  lower  part  of  the  legs,  usually  below  the  knees  or  hocks. 
The  lesion  of  ergotism  does  not  take  the  form  of  pustules  or  blisters, 
but  manifests  itself  first  as  a  swelling  about  the  ankle,  which  later 
may  slough  and  circumscribe  the  limb,  forming  a  deep  crack  extend- 
ing entirely  around  the  limb  and  forming  a  distinct  line  of  demarca- 
tion between  the  healthy  skin  above  and  the  diseased  below.  The 
absence  of  ulcerous  sores  on  the  coronet  and  between  the  claws, 
together  with  a  healthy  condition  of  the  membranes  of  the  mouth 
and  the  knowledge  that  the  lesion  upon  the  limb  in  question  extends 
uninterruptedly  around  it,  should  point  conclusively  to  a  diagnosis 
of  ergotism  and  to  the  exclusion  of  all  fears  of  foot-and-mouth  disease. 

In  foul  foot  or  ground  itch  of  cattle  the  inflammation  of  the  skin 
and  toes  is  general  and  not  in  certain  spots  as  in  foot-and-mouth  dis- 
ease ;  the  mouth  remains  unaffected,  and  the  presence  of  the  disease 
may  be  traced  to  filth  and  poor  drainage. 

The  severer  forms  of  the  disease  might  be  confounded  with  certain 
general  diseases.  Where  gastro-intestinal  symptoms  predominate 
acute  gastric  catarrh  or  inflammation  of  the  intestines  might  be 
thought  of.  Involvement  of  the  lungs  might  lead  to  a  diagnose  of 
acute  congestion  of  the  lungs  or  pneumonia.  The  distinction  is 
apparent  in  these  diseases  by  the  lack  of  vesicular  eruption  on  the 
mucous  membrane  or  skin,  and  also  by  lack  of  evidences  of  infection 
in  the  herd  or  neighboring  animals. 

Prophylaxis. — The  measures  to  be  adopted  to  prevent«the  spread  of 
the  affection  must  take  into  consideration  the  highly  infectious  nature 
of  the  disease,  its  ease  of  dissemination,  and  the  liability  of  the  virus 
to  live  a  saprophytic  life  for  long  periods.  Great  care  should  there- 
fore be  observed  in  keeping  healthy  animals  unexposed  to  the  con- 
tagion. "When  an  outbreak  occurs  in  a  community  the  owner  should 
make  every  effort  to  keep  other  animals  from  coming  in  contact  with 
his  diseased  cattle.  This  especially  applies  to  dogs,  cats,  goats,  and 
poultry,  which  usually  have  access  to  the  stables  and  barnyards  and 
in  this  way  furnish  excellent  means  for  disseminating  the  infectious 
principle.  He  should  be  equally  particular  in  prohibiting  any  person 
from  coming  onto  his  premises,  especially  an  attendant  or  owner  or 
other  person  in  any  way  connected  with  cattle.  Such  a  herd  may 
61386—08 25 


386  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

be  placed  under  quarantine,  with  an  inspector  appointed  to  keep  the 
premises  under  constant  surveillance. 

This  method  of  quarantine  alone,  while  very  satisfactory  in  many 
instances,  is  rather  tardy  in  obtaining  the  desired  result.  For  this 
reason  when  the  disease  breaks  out  in  a  country  like  the  United 
States,  where  the  contagion  is  likely  to  spread  rapidly  by  means  of 
infected  cars,  manure,  hay,  and  other  feed,  and  where  the  loss  attend- 
ant upon  its  obtaining  a  firm  foothold  would  result  so  disastrously,  it 
seems  that  this  method  of  temporizing  is  rather  tedious,  and  more 
radical  steps  are  required  in  order  to  suppress  and  eradicate  completely 
the  infection  in  the  quickest  and  most  thorough  manner  possible. 

It  would  therefore  appear  better  to  concentrate  the  expense  incident 
to  the  extermination  of  foot-and-mouth  disease  by  purchasing  and 
slaughtering  all  affected  and  exposed  cattle  after  judicious  appraise- 
ment. The  carcasses  of  these  animals  should  be  totally  destroyed, 
preferably  by  cremation,  or  otherwise  by  burying  them  in  a  hole  six 
feet  deep  and  covering  them  with  air-slaked  lime.  The  infected  stable 
should  be  disinfected  by  thoroughly  cleaning  it,  scrubbing  the  floor 
with  hot  water,  brushing  down  all  loose  dust  from  the  walls,  and  tear- 
ing off  all  woodwork  which  is  partly  decayed.  Then  the  whole  interior 
of  the  stable  should  be  covered  with  a  good  coat  of  limewash  contain- 
ing 1  part  of  a  40  per  cent  solution  of  formaldehyde  (which  is  sold 
by  the  drug  trade  under  the  commercial  name  of  formalin)  to  30  parts 
of  the  limewash,  or  four  ounces  of  formalin  to  each  gallon  of  lime- 
wash.  Another  efficient  wash  for  this  purpose  may  be  prepared  by 
adding  6  ounces  of  chlorid  of  lime  to  each  gallon  of  limewash.  All 
stable  utensils  should  be  thoroughly  cleaned  and  disinfected  by  the 
application  of  a  solution  containing  4  ounces  of  formalin  to  a  gallon 
of  water,  or  6  ounces  of  crude  carbolic  acid  to  each  gallon  of  water. 
The  manure  should  be  burned  or  spread  over  ground  (other  than 
meadow  land)  that  is  to  be  turned  under.  No  other  cattle  should  be 
purchased  for  at  least  thirty  days  after  the  complete  disinfection  of  the 
premises. 

The  method  of  eradicating  the  outbreak  of  foot-and-mouth  disease 
in  New  England  in  1902-3  consisted  in  the  rigid  quarantine  of  all 
infected  premises  and  of  the  animals  upon  them,  in  slaughtering  the 
diseased  and  exposed  animals  at  the  earliest  practicable  moment,  and 
in  thoroughby  disinfecting  the  stables  and  the  contents  of  the  build- 
ings in  which  they  had  been  sheltered.  The  progress  of  this  work, 
the  confinement  of  the  disease  to  four  of  the  New  England  States,  and 
its  complete  eradication  in  a  comparatively  short  time  demonstrate 
in  a  striking  manner  the  efficacy  of  slaughtering  and  the  futility  of 
relying  upon  quarantine  alone  in  stamping  out  the  disease. 

Inoculation  has  been  adopted  in  some  countries  in  order  to  have 
the  disease  spread  quickly  through  the  herds,  and  while  this  practice 
has  undoubted  value  where  the  disease  is  indigenous,  it  is  not  desirable 
in  this  country  and  should  not  be  adopted. 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  387 

Medicinal  treatment. — In  some  mild  attacks  of  foot-and-mouth 
disease  great  benefit  may  be  derived  from  a  judicious  attempt  to 
relieve  the  symptoms  and  thus  assist  nature  in  overcoming  the  dis- 
ease, but  the  great  danger  attached  to  the  presence  of  an  infectious 
disease  in  any  noninfected  locality  for  twelve  to  twenty  days,  while 
the  disease  is  running  its  course,  must  appeal  to  the  sanitarian  and 
prevent  indiscriminate  medicinal  treatment. 

However,  beneficial  results  have  been  obtained  by  the  local  applica- 
tion of  disinfecting  and  astringent  lotions.  A  teaspoonful  of  alum, 
chlorate  of  potash,  boracic  acid,  or  one-half  teaspoonful  of  the  tinc- 
ture of  aloes  and  myrrh  placed  in  the  mouth  has  proved  efficacious. 
The  infected  animals  may  be  made  to  stand  from  five  to  ten  minutes 
in  a  shallow  trough  containing  medicinal  agents  such  as  a  l-to-1,000 
solution  of  bichlorid  of  mercury  or  a  3  per  cent  carbolic  acid  or  creo- 
liu  solution.  Where  the  teats  and  udder  are  affected  the  application 
of  carbolized  vaseline,  camphor  ointment,  or  borated  glycerin  has 
given  excellent  results.  If  the  S3Tmptoms  of  heart  weakness  are 
manifest,  give  digitalis,  camphor,  or  alcohol,  while  excessive  fever 
may  be  reduced  with  j)henacetin. 

The  complications  that  may  follow  the  disease  are  usually  the  result 
of  contaminating  bacteria,  and  it  is  therefore  desirable  to  have  the 
animals  and  their  surroundings  kept  in  as  cleanly  a  condition  as  pos- 
sible. The  cattle  should  be  fed  on  soft  meal  or  grain  and  given  a 
plentiful  supply  of  clean  water. 

SEPTICEMIA   AND    PYEMIA. 

These  two  names  are  applied  to  diseased  conditions  which  are  so 
nearly  alike  in  their  symptoms  that  it  is  sometimes  difficult  to  distin- 
guish the  one  from  the  other.  Indeed,  the  name  pyosepticemia,  or 
septicopyemia,  is  often  applied  where  it  is  impossible  to  make  a  dis- 
tinction between  septicemia  and  pyemia  or  where  each  is  equally 
responsible  for  the  diseased  condition.  The  name  septicemia  is 
<1<  rived  from  two  Greek  words  meaning  "poison"  and  "blood,"'  and 
signifies  that  the  germ  lives  in  the  blood,  hence  the  use  of  the  term 
"blood  poisoning"  for  this  disease.  Pyemia  is  likewise  derived  from 
two  Greek  words,  meaning  "pus"  and  "blood,"  and  is  that  form  of 
septicemia  caused  by  pus-producing  organisms  and  characterized  by 
secondary  abscesses. 

Causes. — Neither  of  these  diseases  is  brought  about,  strictly  speak- 
ing, by  any  specific  organism,  hence  neither  can  be  looked  upon  as  a 
specific  disease.  The  organisms  most  frequently  found  in  cases  of 
septicemia  are,  on  the  whole,  the  same  as  those  of  pyemia,  and  may 
be  either  pus  cocci,  the  bacillus  coli,  or  other  pus-producing  organ- 
isms. These  organisms  are  often  found  as  secondary  invaders  in 
other  diseases,  such  as  advanced  cases  of  tuberculosis,  in  which 
cases  they  are  responsible  for  the  formation  of  pus. 

Aside  from  the  causative  organism,  or,  in  other  words,  the  active 


388  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

cause,  there  are  many  secondary  causes.  The  most  important  of 
these  in  pyemia  is  a  break  in  continuity  of  the  protective  covering,  as 
a  wound,  which  affords  an  entrance  into  the  tissues  for  the  organisms. 
Among  the  different  varieties  of  wounds  may  be  mentioned  cuts, 
bruises,  punctures,  burns,  chemical  or  frozen  wounds,  and  compound 
fractures  of  bones.  Injuries  received  during  parturition,  stoppage 
of  the  milk  ducts,  and  infection  of  the  umbilicus  in  the  newly  born 
are  also  frequent  causes  of  pyemia.  Septicemia  usually  follows  sur- 
gical wounds,  local  suppuration,  enteritis,  bronchitis — in  fact,  wherever 
there  is  a  local  lesion  of  any  kind  permitting  germs  to  enter  the  blood. 
Septicemia  was  formerly  applied  to  designate  the  condition  in  which 
the  organisms  were  localized,  but  in  which  their  toxins  were  diffused 
in  the  blood.  Pyemia  was  made  to  represent  that  condition  where  the 
organisms  were  localized,  but  in  which  the  pus  was  transported  by 
the  blood.  These  terms  now  are  applied  to  conditions  in  which  both 
the  organisms  and  their  toxins,  or  the  pus,  are  present  in  the  blood. 
The  term  septicemia  is  indicated  where  intoxication  is  the  more  pro- 
nounced symptom  and  pyemia  where  pus  formation  and  metastatic 
or  secondary  abscess  formation  are  observed. 

Symptoms. — The  symptoms  of  both  diseases  include  primarily  a 
high  fever  (104°  to  107°  F.).  Coupled  with  this  there  is  disinclination 
to  move,  the  animal  is  depressed  and  not  cognizant  of  its  surround- 
ings. The  pulse  is  rapid,  small,  and  feeble,  respiration  increased, 
mucous  membrane  injected,  swollen,  and  of  a  yellowish  tinge.  Appe- 
tite is  lost  and  death  follows  in  the  case  of  septicemia  in  from  two  to 
four  days.  In  pyemia  the  symptoms  come  on  more  slowly  and  are  not 
so  intense  as  in  septicemia,  while  the  course  of  the  disease  is  longer, 
lasting  from  six  days  to  four  weeks.  The  mortality  is  not  so  great  as 
in  septicemia,  but  the  period  of  convalescence  is  always  long. 

Lesions. — Septicemia  is  characterized  by  the  destructive  changes  in 
the  blood,  which  is  chocolate  color,  noncoagulable,  and  swarms  with 
bacteria.  The  lining  membranes  of  the  heart  are  studded  with  red 
spots,  often  running  together  to  form  a  large  hemorrhagic  area.  The 
lungs,  liver,  and  kidneys  may  also  show  these  hemorrhages.  The 
spleen  is  enlarged  and  full  of  black  blood.  The  cadaver  decomposes 
very  rapidly  and  in  some  cases  forms  great  quantities  of  fetid  gas. 
In  pyemia,  in  addition  to  these  lesions,  there  are  abscesses  formed  in 
the  various  organs  throughout  the  body.  If  the  disease  develops 
slowly  a  postmortem  shows  these  abscesses  to  be  the  chief  altera- 
tions. The  pus  content  is  usually  greenish,  stained  with  blood,  and 
contains  strings  of  fibrous  tissue  and  necrosed  matter. 

Treatment. — Treatment  is  almost  futile  in  advanced  cases  of  either 
disease.  Septicemia  is  usually  fatal  and  pyemia  frequently  so.  Pre- 
vention, and  the  immediate  treatment  of  local  infections,  are  the 
surest  means  of  combating  these  diseases.  For  local  treatment  of 
wounds  the  usual  antiseptics  are  indicated,  such  as  5  per  cent  creolin, 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES    OF   CATTLE.  389 

or  carbolic  acid,  or  one  one-thousandth  bichloride  of  mercury  solu- 
tion. For  pyemia,  where  the  abscesses  are  near  the  skin,  open  them 
and  treat  antiseptically  by  injecting  any  of  the  previous  mentioned 
germicides.  General  and  heart  stimulants  are  indicated,  such  as  a 
drench  containing  digitalis  2  drams  and  alcohol  2  ounces.  Quinine 
and  calomel  in  repeated  small  doses  of  one-half  dram  each  three  times 
a  day  are  sometimes  beneficial.  Camphor  in  the  form  of  oil  of  cam- 
phor (camphor  dissolved  in  10  parts  of  sweet  oil)  is  a  good  stimulant 
and  lias  some  antiseptic  properties,  which  makes  it  a  valuable  drug  in 
combating  these  diseases  when  given  in  doses  of  2  drams  three  times 
daily. 

HEMORRHAGIC    SEPTICEMIA. 

Hemorrhagic  septicemia  is  a  name  applied  to  a  highly  fatal,  infec- 
tious disease  existing  in  various  species  of  domestic  and  wild  animals, 
due  to  a  micro-organism  having  definite  biological  characters  and  pos- 
sessing the  properties  of  producing  clearly  defined  and  characteristic 
lesions. 

This  causal  agent,  Bacterium  bovisepticum,  belongs  to  the  same 
group  of  cocco-bacilli  as  those  causing  chicken  cholera,  swine  plague, 
and  rabbit  septicemia,  and  may  be  described  as  an  ovoid,  nonmotile, 
polar  staining  bacterium  with  rounded  ends,  38ooo  of  an  inch  wide  by 
-gmy  o  o"  of  an  inch  long,  sometimes  seen  in  pairs  and  sometimes  in  chains. 

Various  names  have  been  applied  to  this  disease,  and  though  the 
causative  agent  and  the  distinctive  lesions  are  well  known  it  is  more 
than  likely  that  the  affection  is  seldom  recognized.  It  was  described 
by  Bollinger  in  1878,  and  named  Wild  und  Rinderseuche,  from  its 
having  affected  deer,  wild  boars,  cattle,  and  horses  in  an  epizootic 
which  swept  over  Germany  at  that  time.  However,  before  this  sev- 
eral epizootics  of  what  was  evidently  the  same  disease  had  been  well 
described,  notably  that  which  occurred  in  England  in  1854.  Since 
then  it  has  occurred  in  epizootic  and  enzootic  forms  in  many  sections 
of  Europe,  Asia,  Africa,  and  America.  In  this  country  the  disease 
has  been  observed  in  Texas,  Tennessee,  New  York,  Minnesota,  Penn- 
sylvania, District  of  Columbia,  South  Dakota,  and  Wisconsin.  Other 
names  given  to  it  are  game  and  cattle  disease,  buffalo  disease,  bar- 
bone,  pasteurellosis  bovina,  ghotwa,  and  infectious  pneumoenteritis. 

In  earlier  times  it  was  evidently  confounded  with  gloss  anthrax,  and 
even  now  it  is  probably  mistaken  in  a  great  many  instances  for  anthrax, 
blackleg,  cornstalk  disease,  and  cerebro-spinal  meningitis. 

The  disease  is  essentially  a  septicemia,  or  blood  poisoning,  and  the 
microbic  invasion  occurs  from  inoculation  probably  either  through 
abrasions  of  the  skin  or  by  injury  to  the  mucous  membranes  from 
coarse  fodder,  etc.  Moore  and  Smith  have  found  bacteria  belonging 
to  this  group  in  the  mouths  and  nasal  cavities  of  healthy  animals, 
including  cattle ;  but  these  organisms  proved  to  be  nonpathogenic. 


390  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

As  is  well  known,  however,  many  pathogenic  germs  at  times  exist  in 
a  saprophytic  state,  and  it  is  not  hard  to  conceive  how  a  microbe  may 
cease  such  existence  and  assume  parasitic  or  pathogenic  properties 
when  the  surroundings  are  eminently  favorable.  This  may  be  a  con- 
necting link  in  the  etiology  of  sporadic  outbreaks  of  the  disease  where 
every  other  hypothesis  as  to  its  genesis  seems  untenable.  The  disease 
seems  to  occur  most  frequently  in  swampy  or  mucky  localities  or  in  pas- 
tures receiving  the  overflow  from  infected  fields.  It  is  said  to  occur 
usually  in  the  spring  of  the  year,  when  the  melting  snows  and  rains 
bring  to  the  surface  the  subterranean  waters  from  rich  soils  contain- 
ing nitrogenous  materials  in  which  the  bacteria  have  been  existing. 
In  a  great  many  instances  there  does  hot  seem  to  be  any  plausible 
explanation  for  an  outbreak  of  the  disease  and  one  can  only  surmise 
as  to  its  origin. 

Symptoms. — Three  forms  of  the  disease  are  recognized,  based  upon 
the  distribution  of  the  lesions — the  superficial,  or  cutaneous,  the  pec- 
toral, or  thoracic,  and  the  intestinal  form.  The  latter  is  a  usual 
accompaniment  of  the  other  two,  and  may  be  mild  or  severe.  Natu- 
rally, the  symptoms  vary  according  to  the  violence  of  the  attack* and 
to  the  particular  form  of  disease  with  which  the  animal  is  affected. 
In  the  superficial,  or  cutaneous,  form  the  presence  of  a  swollen  tongue, 
throat,  and  dewlap,  or  even  of  the  lower  portion  of  the  legs,  gives  us  a 
clew  to  the  trouble.  An  entire  loss  of  appetite  occurs,  and  in  milch 
cows  there  is  a  diminution  of  the  milk  secretion.  The  temperature 
may  be  only  slightly  elevated,  but  it  is  usually  very  high.  Salivation 
is  set  up  due  to  the  inflammation  of  the  mouth  and  pharynx.  Unsuc- 
cessful efforts  at  eating  and  swallowing  are  made.  There  may  be 
difficulty  in  breathing,  depending  on  the  amount  of  involvement  of 
the  larynx,  trachea,  bronchi,  or  lungs.  There  may  be  a  blood-stained 
discharge  from  the  nostrils,  and  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  same 
will  often  show  punctiform  hemorrhages.  The  pulmonary  form 
shows  the  same  symptoms  as  croupous  pneumonia  with  a  frequent 
suffocative  cough  and  oppressed  breathing,  or  dyspnea.  When  the 
intestines  are  involved  the  patient  strains  to  defecate,  and  passes 
shreds  of  intestinal  mucus  along  with  blood-stained  feces.  The  urine 
may  also  be  tinged  with  blood.  Finally  a  severe  diarrhea  takes  place, 
the  animal  becomes  correspondingly  weak,  and  death  takes  place  in 
twenty-four  to  thirty-six  hours.  Cases  majr  die  in  as  short  a  period 
as  six  to  eight  hours,  while  in  the  pectoral  form  of  the  disease  the 
animal  may  linger  six  or  eight  days.  Cases  have  been  reported  which 
became  chronic  and  in  which  deatli  did  not  take  place  for  a  month 
or  more.  In  some  of  the  cases  running  an  acute  course,  symptoms 
of  toxemia  are  present;  there  is  a  lack  of  sensation  of  ihe  skin,  stag- 
gering gait,  trembling,  eyes  fixed,  neck  at  times  bent  to  one  side,  and 
the  eyes  showing  a  wild  expression.  At  times  the  animals  appear  as 
if  in  pain  and  look  around  at  the  flanks.     In  the  pectoral  form  they 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  391 

may  stand  with  the  fore  legs  wide  apart  in  evident  effort  to  breathe 
more  freely.  Sometimes  there  is  a  champing  of  the  jaws  and  a  very 
free  flow  of  glairy  saliva  dropping  from  the  mouth. 

The  prognosis  is  decidedly  unfavorable  and  80  to  90  per  cent  of 
the  cases  result  fatally. 

Lesions. — The  characteristic  lesions  of  hemorrhagic  septicemia 
consist  of  hemorrhagic  areas  in  the  subcutaneous,  subserous,  and 
muscular  tissues,  the  lymph  glands,  and  the  viscera;  in  fact,  they  are 
distributed  more  or  less  widely  throughout  the  body  and  vary  in  size 
from  a  mere  speck  to  the  diameter  of  a  half  dollar  or  even  larger. 
The  superficial  form  presents  itself  first  as  a  doughy  tumefaction  of 
the  skin  about  the  region  of  the  throat,  neck,  dewlap,  or  legs,  and 
which  pits  on  pressure.  This  tumefaction  cousists  essentialhy  of  a 
sero-gelatinous  exudate  into  the  subcutaneous  and  intermuscular 
tissues. 

Bloody  extravasations  may  take  place  in  subcutaneous  tissues  in 
various  localities,  but  they  are  usually  seen  about  the  lower  portion 
of  the  neck.  The  mucous  membranes  and  submucous  tissues  of  the 
mouth,  tongue,  pharynx,  and  larynx  become  involved  in  the  process 
and  are  greatly  thickened,  inflamed,  and  infiltrated  with  serum.  The 
mucous  membrane  becomes  reddish  purple,  and  that  of  the  nostrils 
may  in  addition  show  hemorrhagic  spots  on  its  surface.  The  Em- 
phatic glands  in  this  region  are  also  swollen  and  infiltrated  with  bloody 
serum.  The  salivary  glands  are  pale  and  dry.  The  pectoral  type, 
though  at  times  existing  alone,  may  coexist  with  the  cutaneous  form. 
The  inflammatory  edema  of  the  mouth  extends  to  the  mucous  mem- 
brane of  the  trachea  and  bronchi,  producing  an  extensive  thickening 
and  a  yellowish  infiltration.  The  lung  shows  interstitial  thickening, 
due  to  the  outpouring  of  serum  into  its  meshes.  It  may  become 
pneumonic. 

The  diaphragm,  heart  sac,  and  heart  walls  show  numerous  hemor- 
rhagic points  and  larger  bloody  extravasations.  Sometimes  there  is 
a  serous  pleurisy,  with  more  or  less  fibrinous  exudate.  In  the  intes- 
tinal form  the  submucous  and  subperitoneal  tissues  show  alterations 
from  a  few  hemorrhagic  spots  to  large  bloody  suffusions,  or  even 
gelatinous  infiltrations.  This  latter  is  seen  about  the  region  of  the 
pancreas  and  in  the  folds  of  the  mesenteiy.  There  is  a  severe  hemor- 
rhagic inflammation  of  the  intestines  and  a  staining  of  the  intestinal 
contents  with  blood.  The  muscular  system  throughout  shows  hemor- 
rhagic areas.  The  abdominal  viscera,  liver,  spleen,  and  kidneys  often 
present  hemorrhagic  lesions. 

Differential  diagnosis. — Anthrax,  which  presents  superficial  swell- 
ings, like  hemorrhagic  septicemia,  may  be  distinguished  from  that 
affection  on  postmortem  examination  by  the  enlargement  and  engorge- 
ment of  the  spleen,  the  contents  of  which  are  soft  and  tarry.  The 
blood  of  anthrax  animals  is  very  dark,  and  does  not  become  light  red 


392  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

on  exposure  to  air,  nor  does  it  coagulate,  while  in  hemorrhagic  septi- 
cemia the  blood  is  normal  in  appearance  and  coagulates.  The  detec- 
tion of  the  anthrax  bacillus  in  the  blood  would  be  final. 

In  blackleg  the  animals  affected  are  usually  under  2  years  of  age. 
The  swellings  are  quite  evident,  and  usually  occur  on  the  legs,  above 
the  knees  or  hocks,  and  are  distended  with  gas,  which  crackles,  or 
crepitates,  when  pressed  upon.  If  one  of  these  tumors  be  opened, 
a  bloody  serum  will  -exude,  and  the  contained  gas  gives  off  the 
odor  of  rancid  butter.  The  internal  hemorrhages  are  not  general, 
although  they  may  occur.  A  microscopic  examination  of  the  juices 
from  the  tumefaction  will  show  the  blackleg  bacillus. 

In  cerebro-sx>inal  meningitis  the  causative  agent  is  unknown,  but 
probably  exists  in  the  food.  It  may  occur  in  any  locality  and  at  any 
season  of  the  year.  There  are  no  local  swellings,  and  cattle  are  not 
frequently  affected. 

Cornstalk  disease  may  be  differentiated  from  this  affection  from 
the  fact  that  it  always  occurs  after  the  cattle  are  turned  into  a  corn- 
stalk field,  by  its  sudden  onset,  the  absence  of  any  characteristic 
symptoms  or  postmortem  lesions,  and  the  failure  to  find  the  causative 
agent  in  the  blood. 

In  making  a  postmortem  examination  of  animals  affected  with 
hemorrhagic  septicemia,  it  would  be  well  to  examine  the  articular 
surfaces  of  the  long  bones,  as  it  has  been  reported  that  they  are  fre- 
quently ulcerated.  This  should  apply  especially  to  those  cases  that 
have  shown  lameness. 

Treatment. — Treatment  is  absolutely  useless,  so  far  as  we  know  at 
present,  and  for  all  practical  purposes  prophylaxis  alone  should  be 
relied  upon.  The  same  sanitary  precautions,  such  as  isolation,  dis- 
infection, and  burial  or  burning  of  all  dead  carcasses,  should  be 
observed  as  for  anthrax  and  other  highly  infectious  diseases.  Sepa- 
rate the  apparently  well  animals  from  the  sick  by  placing  them  in  a 
separate,  noninfected  lot.  Leave  them  here  for  a  few  days,  and  if 
any  new  cases  develop  change  the  well  ones  again.  Thoroughly  dis- 
infect all  the  premises,  barns,  stalls,  litter,  and  stable  utensils. 

VESICULAR  ERUPTION   OF   THE    GENITAL   ORGANS. 

This  contagious  disease  is  called  coital  exanthema  or  vesicular 
exanthema,  and  is  more  or  less  prevalent  on  the  Continent.  It  has 
also  been  observed  in  the  breeding  districts  of  the  United  States.  It 
is  the  subject  of  legislation  in  Germany,  and  governmental  statistics 
are  published  annually  concerning  its  distribution  in  the  Empire. 
According  to  the  reports  from  Hungary,  492  head  of  cattle  were 
attacked  during  1898,  587  in  1899,  and  207  in  1900. 

A  similar  or  perhaps  identical  disease  of  horses  has  the  same  dis- 
tribution and  is  transmissible  from  horses  to  cattle  and  vice  versa. 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES   OF   CATTLE.  393 

The  disease  may  be  defined  as  a  highly  contagious  eruption  situated 
upon  the  external  genital  organs  of  both  sexes  and  accompanied  with 
little  or  no  general  disturbance  of  health.  The  contagion,  the  nature  of 
which  remains  still  unknown,  is  transmitted  mainly  during  copulation. 
The  bull  may  have  the  disease  and  convey  it  to  all  the  cows  with 
which  he  comes  in  contact;  or  he  may  become  infected  by  one  cow, 
and,  although  not  showing  the  disease,  he  may  transmit  it  for  several 
days  after  to  all  other  cows  during  copulation.  Simple  contact 
between  one  cow  and  another  may  convey  the  disease,  or  the  sponges 
used  in  cleaning  the  diseased  may  carry  the  virus  to  the  healthy.  It 
has  also  been  conveyed  to  healthy  cows  by  these  animals  lying  with 
their  hind  quarters  against  infected  wooden  troughs. 

Symptoms. — The  period  elapsing  between  the  infection  and  the 
appearance  of  symptoms  is  somewhat  variable.  It  is  usually  given  as 
three  to  six  days.  It  may  be  briefer  or  much  longer.  In  cows  the 
mucous  membrane  of  the  vagina  and  the  vulva  become  swollen, 
inflamed,  very  tender,  and  covered  with  dark- red  spots.  The  secre- 
tion is  very  abundant  and  consists  at  first  largely  of  serum  and  mucus 
resembling  the  white  of  an  egg.  Small  vesicles  then  appear,  which 
rapidly  burst  and  are  converted  into  excoriations  or  deeper  ulcera- 
tions. The  secretion  becomes  more  purulent  and  is  apt  to  dry  in 
crusts  about  the  root  of  the  tail.  The  eruption  is  accompanied  with 
much  itching  and  difficulty  in  urinating.  The  walk  may  be  stiff  and 
awkward.  In  bulls  the  eruption  is  situated  on  the  prepuce  and  the  end 
of  the  penis,  and  consists  of  pimples,  vesicles,  and  ulcers,  as  in  cows. 
It  is  accompanied  by  a  little,  purulent  discharge  from  the  prepuce, 
itching,  and  difficulty  in  urinating.  In  severe  cases  the  inflammation 
and  swelling  may  extend  backward  to  the  scrotum  and  forward  upon 
the  abdomen. 

The  disease  lasts  from  one  to  four  weeks  and  always  terminates 
in  recovery.  The  acute  stage  lasts  only  four  or  five  days,  while 
the  complete  healing  of  the  inflammation  is  slow.  The  eruption  is 
usually  accompanied  by  very  little  general  disturbance.  If  the  pain 
and  irritation  are  severe,  there  may  be  some  slight  loss  of  appetite 
and  diminished  milk  secretion  in  cows.  The  disease  rarely  causes 
abortion.  Chronic  catarrh  of  the  vagina  and  permanent  sterility  fre- 
quently follow  as  sequeke. 

Treatment  need  not  be  resorted  to  excepting  in  severe  cases.  The 
secretion  and  exudation  should  be  washed  off  and  a  mild  antiseptic 
applied,  such  as  a  1  per  cent  solution  of  carbolic  acid  (1  ounce  to  3  quarts 
of  water)  or  2  per  cent  solution  of  lysol  or  creolin  in  water.  Care 
must  be  taken  not  to  carry  the  disease  from  the  sick  to  the  well  by 
sponges,  etc. ,  which  have  come  in  contact  with  the  affected  organs. 
These  should  be  destroyed.  To  prevent  the  spread  of  the  disease  the 
infected  animals  should  be  kept  isolated  until  they  have  recovered. 


394  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

RABIES    OF   CATTLE. 

Rabies  is  a  disease  preeminently  affecting  the  canine  race,  although 
all  warm-blooded  animals,  including  man,  are  susceptible  to  the  mal- 
ady, which  is  always  communicated  through  bites  from  a  preceding 
case.  It  has  required  many  years  of  patient  scientific  research  to  lead 
the  ablest  investigators  to  a  clear  comprehension  of  the  cause,  nature, 
and  characteristics  of  this  affection.  It  was  known  and  described  sev- 
eral centuries  prior  to  the  beginning  of  the  Christian  era,  and  from 
the  earliest  dawn  of  history  the  disease  has  been  feared  and  dreaded. 
Its  terrible  manifestations  have  always  been  surrounded  with  an 
atmosphere  of  awe  and  mystery,  and  it  is  not  surprising  that  myths, 
fallacies,  and  misconceptions  in  regard  to  it  have  been  common  and 
widely  accepted.  As  the  investigations  by  which  we  have  come  to  a 
tolerably  clear  understanding  of  the  facts  concerning  rabies  have 
been  comparatively  recent  and  have  appeared  for  the  most  part  in 
scientific  periodicals,  fallacies  in  regard  to  the  disease  continue  to 
have  a  strong  hold  upon  the  public  mind.  For  instance,  it  is  still  a 
widely  prevalent  belief  that  if  persons  or  animals  are  bitten  by  a  dog 
they  are  liable  to  become  rabid  if  the  dog  should  contract  the  disease 
at  any  future  time.  There  is  no  foundation  for  this  impression,  and 
it  would  be  a  great  comfort  to  many  people  who  are  now  and  then 
bitten  by  animals  if  the  fallacy  of  this  idea  were  appreciated.  All 
experience,  both  scientific  and  practical,  goes  to  show  that  rabies  is 
transmitted  only  by  animals  that  are  actually  diseased  at  the  time 
the  bite  is  inflicted.  Rabies  is  an  infectious  disease  involving  the 
nervous  system  and  characterized  by  extreme  excitability  and  other 
nervous  disorders  and  always  terminating  in  death.  The  contagion  of 
this  disease  has  never  been  isolated,  but  the  fact  that  it  is  caused  by 
a  specific  organism  principally  found  in  the  nervous  system  is  indis- 
putable. For  instance,  if  an  emulsion  of  the  brain  of  a  rabid  animal 
is  filtered  through  a  germ-proof  filter,  the  filtrate  will  be  harmless. 
This  fact  indicates  that  the  infectious  principle  is  not  in  solution,  but 
is  an  organism  withheld  from  the  filtrate  by  the  filter.  This  conta- 
gion can  only  be  propagated  in  the  body  of  an  animal.  It  is  trans- 
mitted naturally  from  one  animal  to  another  solely  by  bites,  and  the 
old  idea  of  spontaneous  appearance  of  the  disease  is  absolutely  falla- 
cious. It  may  be  produced  artificially  by  inoculating  susceptible 
animals  with  an  emulsion  of  the  brain  or  spinal  cord,  as  well  as  the 
saliva,  milk,  and  other  secretions  of  the  affected  animal.  The  blood, 
on  the  contrary,  seems  to  be  free  from  the  infectious  principle.  The 
saliva  contains  the  virus,  which,  under  natural  conditions,  is  intro- 
duced into  or  under  the  skin  on  the  tooth  of  the  rabid  animal.  The 
disease  is  widespread,  being  found  in  many  countries  of  Europe, 
Asia,  and  Africa  and  in  certain  sections  of  the  United  States. 

Owing  to   the  rigid  quarantine  regulations  enforced  against  dogs 
imported  into  Australia,  that  country  remains  absolutely  free  from  the 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  395 

disease.  Following  the  canine  race,  cattle  seem  to  be  the  most  fre- 
quently affected,  probably  because  rabid  dogs,  next  to  their  morbid 
desire  to  attack  other  members  of  their  own  race,  have  a  better  oppor- 
tunity to  bite  grazing  cattle  than  any  other  species  of  animal.  The 
relative  frequency  of  rabies  in  these  two  species  of  animals  is  indi- 
cated by  the  caref  ulty  compiled  statistics  of  the  German  Empire,  which 
show  that  904  dogs  and  223  cows  died  of  rabies  in  1898,  while  in  1899 
there  were  911  cases  in  dogs  and  171  in  cattle.  The  latter  receive 
bites  most  frequently  on  the  hind  legs  and  in  the  hips  and  about  the 
lower  jaw.  These  places  are  most  accessible  to  dogs,  owing  to  the 
habit  of  cattle  to  drive  their  tormentors  away  b}r  lowering  their  heads 
and  using  their  horns.  Every  animal  bitten  does  not  necessarily 
develop  the  disease,  but  the  percentage  of  fatalities  has  been  vari- 
ously estimated  and  averages  from  25  to  30  per  cent  of  the  bitten  cat- 
tle. This,  however,  depends  on  the  location  and  size  of  the  wound,  as 
well  as  the  amount  of  hemorrhage  produced,  and  various  other  condi- 
tions. In  general,  the  nearer  the  bite  is  located  to  the  central  nervous 
system  and  the  deeper  the  wound  inflicted,  the  greater  the  danger  of 
a  fatal  result.  In  cases  where  the  hemorrhage  resulting  from  the 
bite  is  profuse,  there  is  a  possibility  that  the  virus  will  be  washed  out 
of  the  wound  and  thus  obviate  the  danger  of  subsequent  appearance 
of  the  disease. 

The  virus  after  being  deposited  in  the  wound  remains  latent  for  an 
extremely  variable  period  of  time,  which  also  depends  on  the  size  and 
depth  of  the  wound  as  well  as  its  location  and  the  amount  of  the 
virulent  saliva  introduced.  Experiments  have  proved  that  the  virus 
follows  the  course  of  the  nerves  to  the  spinal  cord  and  along  the  lat- 
ter to  the  brain  before  the  symptoms  appear.  Gerlach  having  col- 
lected the  statistics  from  133  cases  has  found  this  time,  known  as  the 
period  of  incubation,  to  vary  from  fourteen  to  two  hundred  and  eighty- 
five  days.  The  great  majority  of  cases,  however,  contract  the  dis- 
ease in  one  to  three  months  after  the  bite  has  been  inflicted. 

Symptoms. — As  in  dogs,  both  furious  and  dumb  rabies  are  met 
with,  the  former  being  more  common  in  cattle.  However,  a  sharp 
line  of  distinction  can  not  be  drawn  between  these  two  forms  of  the 
disease,  as  the  furious  form  usually  merges  into  the  dumb,  due  to  the 
paralysis  which  always  appears  prior  to  death.  The  typical  cases  of 
dumb  rabies  are  those  where  the  paralysis  appears  at  the  beginning  of 
the  attack  and  remains  until  the  death  of  the  animal.  The  disease 
first  manifests  itself  by  a  loss  of  appetite  and  rumination  and  stop- 
ping of  the  secretion  of  milk,  great  restlessness,  anxiety,  manifesta- 
tion of  fear,  and  change  in  the  disposition  of  the  animal.  This 
preliminary  stage  is  followed  in  a  day  or  two  by  the  stage  of  excita- 
tion, or  madness,  which  is  indicated  by  increasing  restlessness,  loud 
roaring  at  times  with  a  peculiar  change  in  the  sound  of  the  voice, 
violent   butting  with   the   horns    and   pawing  the   ground  with  the 


396  DISEASES    OF   CATTLE. 

feet,  with  an  insane  tendency  to  attack  other  animals,  although  the 
desire  to  bite  is  not  so  marked  in  cattle  as  in  the  canine  race .  A  con- 
stant symptom  is  the  increased  secretion  of  saliva  with  a  conse'quent 
frothing  at  the  mouth,  or  the  secretion  may  hang  from  the  lips  in  long 
strings.  Constipation  is  marked,  and  there  is  manifested  a  continual, 
although  unsuccessful,  desire  to  defecate.  Spasms  of  the  muscles  in 
different  parts  of  the  body  are  also  seen  at  intervals.  About  the 
fourth  day  the  animal  usually  becomes  quieter  and  the  walk  is  stiff, 
unsteadj7,  and  swaying,  showing  that  the  final  paralysis  is  coming 
on.  This  is  called  the  paralytic  stage.  The  loss  of  flesh  is  extremely 
rapid,  and  even  during  the  short  course  of  the  disease  the  animal 
becomes  exceedingly  emaciated.  The  temperature  is  never  elevated, 
it  usually  remaining  about  normal  or  even  subnormal.  Finally,  there 
is  complete  paralysis  of  the  hind  quarters,  the  animal  being  unable 
to  rise,  and  but  for  irregular  convulsive  movements  lies  in  a  comatose 
condition,  and  dies  usually  from  the  fourth  to  the  sixth  day  after  the 
appearance  of  the  first  symptom. 

Anatomy. — If  animals  which  have  succumbed  to  rabies  be  exam- 
ined postmortem,  very  slight  evidence  of  disease  will  be  found  in  any 
of  the  organs,  and,  indeed,  the  absence  of  any  specific  lesions  may  be 
considered  as  characteristic.  The  blood  is  dark  and  imperfectly 
coagulated.  The  throat  is  frequently  reddened,  and  there  may  be 
small  spots  of  extravasated  blood  in  the  intestines.  The  stomachs 
are  usually  empty.  In  the  spleen  there  may  be  hemorrhagic  enlarge- 
ments (infarcts).     The  cadavers  rapidly  undergo  decomposition. 

Differential  diagnosis. — It  is  not  an  easy  matter  to  decide  definitely 
that  a  given  animal  has  rabies,  since  the  symptoms  given  above  belong 
in  part  to  a  variety  of  other  diseases,  among  which  may  be  mentioned 
the  excitement  seen  in  young  animals  following  close  confinement, 
certain  vegetable  and  mineral  poisons,  acute  enteritis,  and  alterations 
of  the  central  nervous  system  in  cattle,  the  most  common  of  which  is 
tuberculosis  of  the  brain  and  its  covering  membranes.  However,  the 
postmortem  lesions  should  assist  in  making  a  correct  diagnosis. 
Tetanus  may  readily  be  differentiated  from  rabies  by  the  persistence 
of  muscular  cramps,  especially  of  the  face  and  abdomen,  which  cause 
these  muscles  to  become  set  and  as  hard  as  wood.  In  tetanus  there 
is  also  an  absence  of  a  depraved  appetite  or  of  a  wilful  propensity  to 
hurt  other  animals  or  to  damage  the  surroundings.  The  cow  remains 
quiet  and  the  general  muscular  contraction  gives  the  animal  a  rigid 
appearance.  There  is  an  absence  of  paralysis  which  marks  the 
advanced  stage  of  rabies.  The  dumb  form  of  rabies  in  dogs  is  char- 
acterized by  the  paralysis  and  pendency  of  the  lower  jaw,  while  in 
tetanus  the  jaws  are  locked.  This  locking  of  the  jaws  in  cattle  ren- 
ders the  animal  incapable  of  bellowing  as  in  rabies.  Finally,  tetanus 
may  be  distinguished  from  rabies  by  the  fact  that  the  central  nervous 
system  does  not  contain  the  infectious  principle,  while  in  rabies  the 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  397 

inoculation  of  test  rabbits  with  the  brain  or  cord  of  a  rabid  animal 
will  produce  the  disease  with  characteristic  symptoms  after  an  inter- 
val of  fifteen  to  twent}7  days.  This  period  of  incubation  is  much  longer 
than  in  tetanus,  since  the  inoculation  of  rabbits  with  tetanus  cultures 
invariably  results  in  death  after  a  short  period  and  usually  within 
three  days.  The  positive  evidence  that  a  rabid  dog  has  been  near 
cattle  would  greatlj-  assist  in  making  a  decision  in  doubtful  cases. 
The  disease  in  dogs  is  pretty  well  recognized  by  most  people,  but  in 
case  a  suspected  dog  is  killed  it  is  desirable  to  open  the  animal  and 
examine  the  contents  of  the  stomach.  While  food  is  absent,  a  variety 
of  odd  things  may  be  present  which  the  abnormally  changed  appetite 
of  the  rabid  dog  has  induced  it  to  swallow.  Among  such  things  may 
be  straws,  sticks,  glass,  rags,  earth,  pieces  of  leather,  and  whatever 
the  animal  may  have  encountered  small  enough  to  be  swallowed. 
This  miscellaneous  collection  in  the  stomach  of  dogs,  together  with 
absence  of  food,  is  regarded  by  authorities  'as  a  very  valuable  sign, 
and  may  be  made  use  of  by  laymen  in  case  of  doubt.  In  important 
cases,  however,  the  head  of  the  dog,  cow,  or  other  suspected  animal 
should  be  removed  aud  sent  to  the  nearest  biological  laboratory,  where 
a  positive  diagnosis  can  be  made  within  thirty-six  hours  by  the  histo- 
logical examination  of  the  plexiform  nerve  ganglia,  and  within  two 
or  three  weeks  by  the  intracerebral  inoculation  of  rabbits  with  an 
emulsion  of  the  brain  of  the  suspected  animal. 

Treatment. — This  is  useless  after  the  first  appearance  of  symptoms. 
When,  however,  a  wound  inflicted  by  a  rabid  animal  can  be  discov- 
ered, it  should  be  immediately  cauterized  or  even  completely  extir- 
pated, care  being  taken  to  cut  entirely  around  the  wound  in  the 
healthy  tissues.  For  cauterizing  the  wound,  fuming  nitric  acid,  the 
hot  iron,  and  10  per  cent  solution  of  zinc  chloride  are  the  most  effica- 
cious. To  afford  an  absolute  protection,  this  should  be  done  within  a 
few  moments  after  the  bite  has  been  inflicted,  although  even  as  late 
as  a  few  hours  it  has  been  known  to  thwart  the  development  of  the 
disease. 

Pasteur  has  originated  and  perfected  a  system  of  preventive  inocu- 
lation against  this  disease  which  has  greatly  reduced  the  mortality  in 
human  subjects.  Its  application  to  animals,  however,  is  more  diffi- 
cult, requiring  considerable  time  and  expense,  and  is  therefore  only 
economically  applicable  in  cases  where  very  valuable  animals  are  bit- 
ten by  dogs  known  to  be  mad.  Sanitary  regulations  which  seek  to 
control  effectively  the  disease  by  exterminating  it  among  dogs  are  most 
likely  to  prove  successful.  The  measures  which  are  adopted  to  this 
end  can  not  be  discussed  in  this  place,  but  it  is  a  striking  fact  that 
where  the  muzzling  of  all  dogs  has  been  rigidly  enforced,  as  in  Eng- 
land and  in  certain  German  districts,  the  disease  has  been  practically 
stamped  out. 


398  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

TUBERCULOSIS. 

(Plates  XXIX,  fig.  6;  XXXIV  to  XL,  inclusive.) 

Tuberculosis  is  an  infectious  and  communicable  disease  charac- 
terized by  the  formation  in  various  organs  of  the  body  of  minute 
nodules,  or  tubercles,  which  contain  the  Bacillus  tuberculosis,  the 
cause  of  the  disease. 

The  disease,  in  its  various  manifestations,  has  been  known  for  many 
centuries,  and  legislative  enactments  having  reference  to  the  destruc- 
tion of  affected  animals  and  forbidding  the  use  of  the  flesh  date  far  back 
into  the  middle  ages.  The  opinions  entertained  regarding  the  nature 
and  the  cause  of  the  malady  varied  much  in  different  periods,  and  very 
markedly  influenced  the  laws  and  regulations  in  vogue.  Thus,  in  the 
sixteenth  century,  the  disease  was  considered  identical  with  syphilis  in 
man.  In  consequence  of  this  belief  very  stringent  laws  were  enacted, 
which  made  the  destruction  of  tuberculous  cattle  compulsory.  In  the 
eighteenth  century  this  erroneous  conception  of  the  nature  of  the  dis- 
ease was  abandoned  and  all  restrictions  against  the  use  of  meat  were 
removed.  Since  that  time,  however,  the  communicable  nature  of  this 
disease  has  been  established  by  many  investigators,  and  the  tide  of 
opinion  has  again  turned  in  favor  of  repressing  the  disease  and  pro- 
hibiting the  sale  of  contaminated  products. 

Occurrence. — The  statistics  concerning  tuberculosis  show  that  it  is  a 
disease  prevalent  in  all  civilized  countries.  In  some  countries,  such 
as  the  northern  part  of  Norway  and  Sweden,  on  the  steppes  of  eastern 
Europe  and  Russia,  in  Sicily  and  Iceland,  and  in  Algiers,  it  is  said  to 
be  quite  rare. 

The  returns  from  testing  British  cattle  with  tuberculin,  supplied  by 
the  Royal  Veterinary  College,  as  stated  in  March,  1900,  showed  that 
among  15,392  animals  tested  4,105,  or  26  per  cent,  reacted. 

During  the  slaughter  of  cattle  for  pleuro-pneumonia  careful  exami- 
nations of  the  carcasses  were  made  for  tuberculosis.  Of  300  head 
killed  near  Edinburgh  120,  or  40  per  cent,  were  tuberculous.  Of 
4,100  killed  in  England  20  per  cent  were  tuberculous.  Of  one  of 
these  lots  of  cattle  (451  animals),  the  president  of  the  Lancashire 
Farmers'  Association  testified  that  they  were  fairly  representative 
cattle — cows,  heifers,  and  growing  stock — a  thoroughly  mixed  lot; 
20  per  cent  of  these  animals  had  tuberculosis. 

Of  398  bovine  animals  taken  haphazard  in  the  city  of  Manchester, 
120,  or  30  per  cent,  were  tuberculous.  Among  these  animals  were  1 68 
cows,  69,  or  41  per  cent,  being  tuberculous,  and  2  having  diseased 
udders. 

The  result  of  testing  the  Queen's  herd  at  Windsor  was  that  36  out 
40,  or  90  per  cent,  were  found  tuberculous. 

The  investigations  made  by  the  British  Dairy  Farmers'  Association 
deserve  particular  attention,  coming  as  they  do  directly  from  a  cattle 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  399 

owners'  organization.  The  council  of  this  association  "resolved  to 
submit  the  general  consideration  of  the  question  to  a  committee,  with  a 
view  to  some  more  definite  understanding  as  to  the  possible  extent 
to  which  tuberculosis  exists  in  dairy  cattle."  The  secretary  was 
instructed  to  write  to  a  number  of  dairy  farmers,  being  members  of 
the  association,  asking  their  cooperation  and  the  use  of  their  herds 
for  the  application  of  the  tests.  Of  the  herds  offered,  9  were  selected, 
containing  461  cows  and  12  bulls,  and  188  of  these  animals  reacted, 
being  40.8  per  cent.  There  were  among  these  cattle  335  Shorthorns, 
of  which  119,  or  35  per  cent,  reacted;  67  crossbreds,  of  which  28,  or 

42  per  cent,  reacted;  47  Ayrshires,  of  which  37,  or  80  per  cent,  reacted. 
Another   experiment   of    much   interest   is   that   of   the   Cheshire 

County  council.  The  technical  instruction  committee  set  aside  £250 
to  be  used  by  a  joint  committee  from  the  agricultural  and  horticultural 
schools  and  Worleson  Dairy  Institute  for  applying  the  tuberculin  test 
to  their  herds.  The  tests  were  made  February  15,  1899.  The  results 
were:  Worleson  herd  of  54  animals,  16  diseased,  or  29.6  per  cent; 
agricultural  school  herd  of  17  animals,  4  diseased,  or  23.5  per  cent. 
The  Worleson  herd  consisted  of  Shorthorn  cows.  In  each  herd  the 
purebred  Shorthorn  bull  was  tuberculous.  The  results  of  the  tuber- 
culin test  were  confirmed  by  the  slaughter  of  the  animals  and  exami- 
nation of  the  carcasses. 

Sir  T.  D.  G.  Carmichael,  member  of  Parliament  for  Midlothian,  gave 
evidence  before  the  royal  commission  that  his  Polled  Angus  herd  was 
tested  in  the  spring  of  1895.  "The  results  of  the  test  were  fearfully 
unexpected  and  alarming."     Of  30  tested  13  showed  decided  reaction — 

43  per  cent.  Again,  he  speaks  of  having  41  animals  tested  the  same 
spring  and  16  reacted — 39.5  -per  cent. 

Of  80  Shorthorn  cattle,  intended  for  export,  which  were  tested,  34 
reacted,  or  42  per  cent. 

Of  a  herd  of  25  British  Shorthorns  recently  tested  in  quarantine,  40 
per  cent  were  found  tuberculous. 

The  addition  of  these  animals  above  referred  to  gives  20,930  head 
examined  and  5,441,  or  26  per  cent,  pronounced  tuberculous.  And 
these  herds  were  not  selected  because  they  were  supposed  to  be  tuber- 
culous, but  represent  the  general  cattle  stock  of  the  country.  These 
animals  included  at  least  470  head  of  Shorthorns,  of  which  170,  or  34 
per  cent,  were  tuberculous. 

To  these  facts  may  be  added  the  evidence  of  Professor  Bang  that 
tuberculosis  was  brought  to  Denmark  in  the  first  half  of  the  nineteenth 
century  by  cattle  from  Switzerland,  Schleswig,  and  England,  and  that 
the  same  thing  is  now  going  on  in  Sweden  and  Norway,  particularly 
through  English  cattle.  Also  the  evidence  of  M.  Sivori,  chief  of  sec- 
tion at  the  ministry  of  agriculture,  Argentina,  who  has  investigated 
tuberculosis  in  that  country,  and  who  says  that  "thirty  or  forty  years 
ago  tuberculosis  was  unknown  in  Argentine  cattle,  and  it  is  still 


400  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

unknown  among  the  native  (criollo)  cattle.  Its  appearance  dates  from 
the  introduction  of  pure  breeding  animals.  Statistics  prove  that 
tubei'culosis  is  observed  among  the  grades — above  all  among  those  of 
the  Durham  and  less  among  the  Hereford." 

Moreover,  the  reports  of  the  royal  commission  of  Victoria,  Australia, 
and  of  the  New  Zealand  department  of  agriculture,  show  a  large  pro- 
portion of  tuberculous  cattle  in  those  colonies,  where  the  disease  was 
almost  certainly  carried  by  British  cattle. 

In  the  same  manner  that  tuberculosis  has  been  carried  from  Great 
Britain  to  Denmark,  Sweden,  Norway,  Argentina,  and  Australia,  it 
has  also  been  taken  to  Canada.  In  one  herd  of  imported  cattle 
slaughtered  in  the  Canadian  quarantine  station,  13  of  the  14  animals 
were  found  tuberculous.  One  of  the  largest  Shorthorn  herds  in 
Canada  was  some  time  ago  tested  because  an  animal  from  it  was 
condemned  when  offered  for  shipment  to  the  United  States.  This 
herd  was  found  to  be  very  badty  affected,  and  an  effort  is  being  made 
to  eradicate  the  disease  by  the  Bang  method.  A  Canadian  official 
publication  says  of  another  Shorthorn  herd,  which  at  one  time  had  a 
very  high  reputation,  that  when  an  investigation  in  regard  to  tuber- 
culosis wa"  recently  made  the  disease  was  found  among  ordinary  cattle 
wherever  animals  from  this  herd  had  been  introduced,  and  that  this 
herd,  which  had  been  looked  upon  as  one  of  the  greatest  benefits  to 
the  farming  community,  was  really  a  danger,  because  it  disseminated 
tuberculosis  among  the  farmers'  herds.  Still  another  well-known 
herd  recently  attracted  attention  because  four  animals  from  it  offered 
for  export  to  the  United  States  were  all  tuberculous. 

From  December  23,  1900,  to  February  19,  1901,  the  period  that  the 
Department  inspector  tested  all  Canadian  cattle  intended  for  shipment 
to  the  United  States,  140  purebred  Shorthorns  and  3  Shorthorn  grades 
were  tested,  and  of  the  total  number  of  26,  or  18  per  cent,  reacted. 
During  the  first  month  that  this  inspection  was  enforced,  and  when  it 
may  be  assumed  that  the  condition  of  the  cattle  most  nearly  repre- 
sented what  it  had  previously  been,  74  cattle  were  offered  for  importa- 
lion,  and  18,  or  24.3  per  cent,  were  found  tuberculous. 

In  justice  to  Shorthorn  cattle  it  should  be  said  in  this  connection 
that  they  are  probably  no  more  susceptible  to  tuberculosis  than  are 
other  breeds,  but  the  disease  has  been  allowed  to  spread  in  certain 
nerds  and  families  to  such  an  extent  as  to  give  a  wrong  impression 
concerning  the  breed  as  a  whole. 

The  slaughterhouse  statistics  of  Prussia  show  14.6  per  cent  of  the 
cattle  and  2.14  per  cent  of  the  hogs  to  be  tuberculous.  In  Saxony 
the  percentage  is  29.13  with  cattle  and  3.10  with  hogs.  In  the  city 
of  Leipzig  the  figures  are  36.4  for  cattle  and  2.17  for  hogs.  (Siedam- 
grotzky.)  Of  20,850  animals  in  Belgium  tested  with  tuberculin  in 
1896,  48.88  per  cent  reacted.  (Stubbe.)  Of  25,439  tested  in  Denmark 
from  1893  to  1895,  49.3  per  cent  reacted;  and  of  67,263  tested  from 
1896  to  1898,  32.8  per  cent  reacted.     (Bang.) 


INFECTIOUS   DISEASES   OF   CATTLE. 


401 


Figures  available  in  the  United  States  do  not  cover  a  sufficient  area 
of  our  territory  to  allow  us  to  make  a  reliable  estimate  of  the  extent 
of  tuberculosis  with  milch  cows.  There  is  little  doubt,  however,  but 
that  the  disease  has  been  increasing  both  with  dairy  cattle  and  hogs. 
From  a  review  by  Russell  and  Hastings,  of  the  Wisconsin  Agricultural 
Experiment  Station,  of  tests  of  cattle  for  tuberculosis  which  have 
been  made  in  the  United  States,  the  following  summary  is  presented : 

Statistics  of  tests  for  tuberculosis  in  the  United  States. 


State. 


Vermont 

Massachusetts 

Massachusetts,  entire  herds 

Connecticut 

New  York,  1894 

New  York,  1897-98 

Pennsylvania 

New  Jersey 

Illinois,  1897-98 

Illinois,  1899 

Michigan 

Minnesota 

Iowa 


Wisconsin : 

Experiment  Station  tests- 
Suspected  herds 

Nonsuspected  herds 

State  veterinarian's  tests- 
Suspected  herds 

Tests  of  local  veterinarians  under  State  veterinarian,  cat- 
tle intended  for  shipment  to  States  requiring  tuberculin 
certificate 


Number 
tested. 


60,000 
24,685 

4,093 

6,300 
947 

1,200 
34,000 

2,500 
929 

3,655 


3,430 
873 


323 
935 


588 


3,421 


Number 
tubercu- 
lar. 


2,390 
12,443 
1,080 


66 

163 
4,800 


560 


122 


115 
84 


191 


76 


Per  cent 
tubercu- 
lar. 


3.9 
50.0 
26.4 
14.2 

6.9 
18.4 
14.1 
21.4 
12.0 
15.32 
13.0 
11.1 
13.8 


35.6 
9.0 


32.5 


2.2 


The  State  veterinarian  of  Pennsylvania,  Dr.  Pearson,  thinks  that 
not  over  2  per  cent  of  the  cattle  of  that  State  are  tuberculous,  and 
probably  if  a  general  test  of  all  the  cattle  of  the  other  States  men- 
tioned were  made  we  should  find  a  very  much  smaller  proportion 
tuberculous  than  is  indicated  by  this  tabular  statement. 

Reports  of  tuberculin  tests  made  on  400,000  cattle  in  the  United 
States  during  the  years  1893  to  1908  by  federal,  state,  and  other 
officers  with  tuberculin  prepared  by  the  Bureau  of  Animal  Industry 
show  37,008  reactions,  or  9.25  per  cent.  These  were  mostly  dairy 
cattle,  and  in  some  cases  herds  were  suspected  of  being  diseased. 

The  beef  cattle  of  the  United  States  show  a  much  smaller  propor- 
tion of  the  disease  than  dairy  cattle,  though  the  percentage  of  cattle 
found  tuberculous  in  the  government  meat-inspection  service  has 
increased  considerably  in  recent  years.  This  increase  is  due  partly, 
6138G— 08 26 


402  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

but  not  wholly,  to  more  stringent  inspection.  Of  7,116,275  adult 
cattle  slaughtered  under  federal  inspection  during  the  fiscal  year  end- 
ing June  30, 1908,  68,395  were  found  tuberculous,  a  percentage  of  0.96. 

It  has  been  observed  that  tuberculosis  increases  in  frequency  with 
the  age  of  the  animals.  If  we  take  the  number  of  cases  of  animals 
of  a  year  and  under  affected  with  tuberculosis  as  the  unit  of  com- 
parison, animals  from  1  to  3  years  old  furnish  10  times,  those  3  to  6 
years  old  30  times,  and  those  over  6  years  40  times  the  number  of 
cases. 

From  the  statistics  above  referred  to  and  other  data,  it  appears 
that  in  the  more  densely  populated  areas  of  Europe  and  America 
from  5  to  50  per  cent  of  the  dairy  cattle  are  more  or  less  affected  with 
tuberculosis,  while  the  proportion  of  beef  cattle  affected  is  distinctly 
less,  ranging  from  0.14  to  30  per  cent.  This  difference  is  due  to  a 
number  of  causes.  Beef  cattle  average  younger  when  slaughtered. 
They  are  not  so  frequently  stabled,  and  are  for  that  reason  less  liable 
to  infection,  and,  as  the  males  constitute  a  large  proportion  of  this 
class  of  animals,  the  effect  of  milk  secretion  in  lowering  the  vital 
forces  is  not  so  apparent. 

Cause  and  nature  of  the  disease. — The  cause  of  tuberculosis  is  the 
tubercle  bacillus,  which  gains  entrance  to  the  body,  lodges  somewhere 
in  the  tissues,  and  begins  to  grow  and  multiply  at  that  point.  As  this 
bacillus  vegetates  and  increases  in  numbers  it  excretes  substances 
which  act,  as  irritants  and  poisons  and  which  lead  to  the  formation  of 
a  small  nodule,  called  a  tubercle,  at  the  point  of  irritation.  As  the 
bacilli  are  disseminated  through  the  animal  body  they  affect  many 
points  and  cause  the  formation  of  an  enormous  number  of  tubercles. 
By  the  union  of  such  tubercles  masses  of  tubercular  material  are 
formed,  which  in  some  cases  are  of  great  size.  The  disease  is  called 
tuberculosis  because  it  is  characterized  by  the  formation  of  these 
peculiar  nodules,  and  the  bacillus  which  causes  the  disease  is  for  the 
same  reason  known  technically  as  the  Bacillus  tuberculosis. 

There  are  undoubtedly  predisposing  conditions  v/hich  contribute 
toward  the  development  of  the  disease;  some  of  these  are  found  in 
the  animal  body  and  others  in  the  environment.  An  enfeebled 
condition  due  to  insufficient  food,  exposure  to  great  extremes  of 
atmospheric  temperature  and  insanitary  surroundings,  or  the  drain 
occasioned  by  heavy  production  of  milk  appears  to  aid  the  develop- 
ment of  the  bacillus,  and  there  is  also  a  special  individual  suscepti- 
bility in  some  cases  which  may  be  otherwise  described  as  an  inability 
of  the  animal  tissues  to  resist  and  destroy  the  bacilli  when  they  have 
penetrated  to  the  inner  recesses  of  the  body. 

Among  the  conditions  of  environment  which  aid  the  development 
of  tuberculosis  may  be  mentioned  stabling  with  lack  of  ventilation, 
damp  buildings,  the  keeping  of  many  animals  together,  drafts  of  air 
which  cause  colds  and  catarrhs,  and,  in  general,  everything  which 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  403 

prevents  the  animals  from  developing  and  maintaining  the  highest 
condition  of  health.  None  of  these  conditions  of  body  or  environ- 
ment are  sufficient  to  cause  the  disease,  however,  unless  the  animals 
are  exposed  to  the  Bacillus  tuberculosis  and  this  bacillus  penetrates 
the  tissues  of  their  bodies. 

The  ways  in  which  the  tubercle  bacilli  find  their  way  into  the  body, 
in  the  order  of  their  importance,  may  be  considered  under  four  heads: 
(1)  By  inhalation  into  the  lungs;  (2)  by  taking  into  the  digestive 
tract  in  the  milk  of  tuberculous  cows  or  with  other  contaminated 
food;  (3)  during  coition  when  the  sexual  organs  are  tuberculous; 
(4)  from  the  tuberculous  mother  to  the  fetus  in  the  uterus.  Inhala- 
tion appears  to  be  by  far  the  most  common  mode  of  infection.  The 
bacilli  can  only  reach  the  lungs  by  inhalation  when  they  are  thor- 
oughly dried  and  pulverized  and  in  a  condition  to  be  carried  by  cur- 
rents of  air. 

It  is  well  known  that  the  bacilli  withstand  drying  for  months  before 
they  lose  their  power  of  producing  disease.  They  leave  the  body  of 
diseased  animals  in  several  ways.  There  may  be  a  little  discharge 
occasionally  coughed  up  from  the  diseased  lungs,  or  there  may  be 
ulcers  of  the  intestines  from  which  many  bacilli  escape  and  are  car- 
ried off  with  the  excrement,  or  milk  may  be  spilt,  or  there  may  be  a 
discharge  from  the  vagina  when  the  genital  organs  are  tuberculous. 
The  bacilli  from  these  sources  may  become  dried  and  pulverized  and 
carried  in  the  air  of  the  stable  and  into  the  lungs  of  still  healthy  cattle, 
where  the  disease  then  develops. 

The  disease  of  the  stomach,  intestines,  and  mesenteric  glands  is  very 
probably  the  result  of  food  infection.  Tubercle  bacilli  may  have  been 
scattered  upon  the  feed  by  diseased  animals.  But  the  most  common 
source  of  such  infection  is  the  milk  of  tuberculous  cows.  Calves  may 
become  infected  in  this  way.  The  disease  may  remain  latent  until 
the  animal  becomes  older.  The  not  infrequent  occurrence  of  tuber- 
culosis of  the  uterus  and  ovaries  makes  it  probable  that  the  disease 
may  be  transmitted  by  a  diseased  bull  or  carried  by  a  healthy  bull 
from  a  diseased  cow  to  a  number  of  healthy  cows. 

The  source  of  infection  is  always  some  previous  case  of  the  disease, 
for  the  latter  can  never  arise  spontaneously.  Hence,  in  those  stables 
in  which  there  is  frequent  change  of  cattle  the  introduction  of  tuber- 
culosis by  cattle  coming  from  other  infected  stables  is  the  most  fre- 
quent source  of  infection.  Since  the  bacilli  when  dried  can  be  car- 
ried by  the  air,  it  is  not  necessary  that  healthy  animals  should  come 
in  direct  contact  with  cases  of  disease  to  become  infected.  In  general 
the  greatest  number  of  cases  occurs  in  the  immediate  environment  of 
cities,  where  there  are  not  only  abundant  opportunities  for  infection, 
owing  to  the  frequent  introduction  of  new  animals  into  herds,  but 
where  the  sanitary  conditions  may  be  regarded  as  the  poorest. 

The  bacillus  of  tuberculosis  was  discovered  by  Robert  Koch  in  1882. 


404  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

It  (see  PL  XXIX,  fig.  6)  is  a  slender,  rod-like  body  from  one-third  to 
two-thirds  the  diameter  of  a  red-blood  corpuscle  in  length.  As  already 
explained,  when  the  bacillus  has  become  lodged  in  any  organ  or  tis- 
sue it  begins  to  multiply,  and  thereby  causes  an  irritation  in  the  tissue 
around  it  which  leads  to  the  formation  of  the  so-called  tubercle.  The 
tubercle,  when  it  has  reached  its  full  growth,  is  a  little  nodule  about 
the  size  of  a  millet  seed.  It  is  composed  of  several  kinds  of  tissue 
cells.  Soon  a  change  takes  place  within  the  tubercle.  Disintegration 
begins,  and  a  soft,  cheesy  substance  is  formed  in  the  center  which 
may  contain  particles  of  lime  salts.  When  these  tubercles  continue 
to  form  in  large  numbers  thejr  run  together,  forming  masses  of  vari- 
ous sizes.  The  disintegration  which  attacks  them  leads  to  the  forma- 
tion of  large  cheesy  masses  of  a  yellowish  color,  containing  more  or 
less  of  lime  salts  in  the  form  of  gritty  particles.  These  large,  tuber- 
culous masses  are  surrounded  by  or  embedded  in  layers  of  fibrous 
tissue,  which  in  some  cases  becomes  very  dense  and  thick.' 

The  disease  is  thus  a  development  of  these  tubercles  in  one  or  more 
organs  of  the  body.  The  distribution  and  number  of  the  tubercles 
determine  the  course  of  the  disease. 

In  a  large  number  of  cases  the  changes  are  limited  to  the  lungs  and 
the  serous  membranes a  of  the  thorax  and  abdomen.  Pathologists 
have  been  in  the  habit  of  calling  the  lung  disease  tuberculosis  and 
the  disease  of  the  serous  membranes  ' '  pearly  disease. "  Statistics  have 
shown  that  in  about  one-half  of  the  cases  both  lungs  and  serous  mem- 
branes are  diseased,  in  one-third  only  the  lungs,  and  in  one-fifth  only 
the  serous  membranes.  At  the  same  time  the  lymphatic  glands  near 
the  diseased  organs  are  usually  involved.  Other  organs,  such  as  the 
liver,  not  infrequently  contain  tubercles.  Though  the  disease  may 
remain  restricted  to  a  single  organ,  it  now  and  then  is  found  general- 
ized, affecting  all  organs  of  the  body. 

In  the  lungs  (PI.  XXXIV)  the  changes  observed  vary  according  to 
the  age  and  intensity  of  the  disease  process.  They  usually  begin  with 
the  appearance  of  very  minute  tubercles.  These  may  appear  in  large 
numbers  on  the  surface  of  the  lungs  or  within  the  lung  tissue.  Later 
the  contents  become  cheesy  and  partly  calcified.  When  these  tubercles 
are  sufficiently  numerous  to  become  confluent,  large  masses  may  be 
formed,  which  undergo  the  same  retrogressive  changes  of  caseation 
and  calcification.  In  addition  to  the  formation  of  tubercles  in  the 
lung  tissue,  certain  other  changes  take  place.  There  is  usually  pres- 
ent bronchitis  with  abundant  catarrhal  secretion.  This  plugs  up  the 
smaller  air  tubes,  and  the  lung  tissue  supplied  with  air  by  these  tubes 

«  These  membranes  comprise  the  smooth,  very  delicate,  glistening  lining  of  the 
large  1  ody  cavities.  In  the  thorax  the  serous  membrane  (pleura)  covers  the  ribs 
and  diaphragm  as  well  as  the  whole  lung  surface.  In  the  abdomen  a  similar 
membrane  (peritoneum)  lines  the  interior  of  the  cavity  and  covers  the  bowels, 
liver,  spleen,  etc. 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  405 

collapses.  Subsequently  it  becomes  filled  with  yellowish,  cheesy  mat- 
ter, which  greatly  distends  the  small  air  tubes  and  air  vesicles  (bron- 
cho-pneumonia). The  connective  tissue  between  the  lung  lobules, 
around  the  tubercles,  and  around  the  air  tubes  becomes  thickened  and 
indurated.  In  the  larynx  and  the  bronchi  tubercles  may  vegetate 
upon  the  mucous  membrane,  and  ulcers  may  result  from  their  break- 
ing down.  The  inflammatory  irritation  which  the  growth  of  the 
tubercles  on  the  surface  of  the  lungs  arouses  gives  rise  to  adhesion  of 
the  lungs  to  the  ribs  and  diaphragm.  This  adhesion  is  sometimes  so 
firm  and  extensive  that  the  lungs  appear  grown  to  the  chest  wall. 

When,  therefore,  the  lungs  in  advanced  stages  of  the  disease  are 
cut  open  we  observe  large,  yellowish  masses,  from  one-quarter  to  three- 
quarters  of  an  inch  in  diameter,  of  a  cheesy  texture,  in  which  calcified, 
gritty  particles  are  embedded  and  which  are  surrounded  by  very  firm 
connective  tissue.  The  neighboring  lung  tissue,  when  collapsed  and 
involved  in  broncho-pneumonia,  has  the  color  and  consistency  of  pale- 
red  flesh.  The  air  tubes,  large  and  small,  stand  out  prominently  on 
the  cut  surface.  They  are  distended  with  a  pasty,  yellowish,  cheesy 
mass,  surrounded  and  enveloped  in  thick  mucus,  and  their  walls 
greatly  thickened.  The  larger  bronchi  may  be  sacculated,  owing  to 
the  distention  produced  by  the  cheesy  contents. 

The  disease  usually  attacks  the  bronchial  glands,  which  are  situated 
on  the  trachea  and  bronchial  tubes  at  the  bifurcation.  The  changes 
in  the  glands  are  the  same  as  those  going  on  in  the  lung  tissue,  and 
they  frequently  reach  an  enormous  size. 

The  tubercle  formation  on  the  serous  membranes  covering  the  lungs 
and  chest  wall  (PI.  XXXIX,  fig.  2),  which  may  go  on  at  the  same  time 
with  the  lung  disease  or  independent  of  it,  has  been  called  "pearly 
disease,"  on  account  of  the  peculiar  appearance  of  the  tubercles. 
These  begin  as  very  minute,  grayish  nodules,  which  give  the  originally 
smooth,  lustrous  membrane  a  roughened  appearance.  These  minute 
tubercles  enlarge,  become  confluent,  and  project  above  the  surface  of 
the  membrane  as  wart-like  masses,  attaining  the  size  of  pease.  In  this 
stage  their  attachment  to  the  membrane  is  by  means  of  delicate  fibers. 
The  attachment  is  loose,  so  that  the  tubercle  hangs  by  a  short  pedicle 
or  neck  and  may  be  moved  slightly  to  and  fro.  Large  masses  are  fre- 
quently formed  by  a  coalescence  of  many  tubercles  and  the  secondary 
formation  of  the  same.  These  may  be  found  on  the  lungs,  the  ribs, 
and  the  diaphragm.  These  tubercles  likewise  undergo  degenerative 
changes.  The  center  partly  softens  and  partly  calcifies  into  a  grayish 
mortar-like  mass,  and  are  gritty.  Associated  with  the  formation  of 
tubercles  on  the  pleura,  those  glands  situated  back  of  the  center  of  the 
lungs  between  the  two  main  lobes  (posterior  mediastinal)  become  greatly 
enlarged  and  the  center  cheesy.  (PI.  XXXVI.)  They  may  compress 
the  esophagus  and  interfere  with  swallowing.  The  size  attained  by 
these  tumors  and  new  growths  is  well  illustrated  by  the  fact  that, 


406  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

taken  together,  they  not  infrequently  weigh  from  60  to  80  pounds. 
The  bronchial  glands,  which  in  the  healthy  state  are  not  so  large  as 
horse-chestnuts,  have  been  found  to  attain  a  weight  of  over  10  pounds. 

In  the  abdominal  cavity  tubercles  may  be  found,  both  in  the  organs 
and  on  the  serous  membranes  covering  them.  They  are  situated  pref- 
erably on  the  omentum,  or  caul  (see  PL  XXXVII,  PL  XXXVIII,  fig. 
2),  the  diaphragm,  and  the  walls  of  the  abdomen.  In  the  liver  large 
and  small  tubercular  masses  are  occasionally  encountered.  (See  PL 
XXXV.)  The  mesenteric  glands  (see  PL  XXXVIII,  fig.  1)  are  occa- 
sionally enlarged  and  tuberculous;  likewise  the  glands  near  the  liver. 
Tubercles  may  also  develop  in  the  spleen,  the  kidneys,  the  uterus  and 
ovaries,  and  the  testicles. 

Tubercular  affection  of  the  intestines  seems  to  be  quite  rare,  although 
ulcers  of  the  large  intestines  have  been  observed.  Nodules  may  also 
form  under  the  serous  covering  of  the  intestines. 

The  brain  and  spinal  cord  are  occasionally  found  tuberculous.  Of 
40  cases,  Semmer  found  tuberculosis  of  the  brain  in  4.  It  is  not 
improbable  that,  owing  to  the  infrequency  of  exposing  the  brain  and 
spinal  cord,  tuberculosis  may  have  escaped  the  attention  of  patholo- 
gists, and  it  may  be  that  it  is  not  so  uncommon  as  is  generally  sup- 
posed. The  tubercles  occur  on  the  membranes  of  the  brain  as  well  as 
in  the  substance  of  the  brain  itself.  They  project  into  the  ventricles 
as  masses,  varying  in  size  from  a  pin's  head  to  a  hen's  egg.  They 
finally  lead  to  various  inflammatory  changes.  Johne  has  observed 
numerous  small  tubercles  on  the  membranes  of  the  spinal  cord. 

Very  rarely  tuberculous  lesions  have  been  observed  in  the  bones 
and  muscles  of  the  body.  Not  so  rare,  however,  is  the  affection  of  the 
lymphatic  glands  embedded  in  the  muscular  tissue  and  those  which 
can  be  felt  beneath  the  skin.  These  are  situated  at  the  joints,  under 
the  jaw,  and  along  the  neck. 

Tubercular  disease  of  the  udder  in  cows  (PL  XL)  has  received  con- 
siderable attention  of  late  from  sanitarians,  owing  to  the  infection  of 
the  milk  with  the  virus  of  tuberculosis.  According  to  those  who  have 
given  this  subject  special  attention,  the  udder  becomes  swollen  uni- 
formly and  quite  firm.  This  swelling,  which  is  painless,  frequently 
attacks  but  one  quarter,  more  rarely  two,  these  being  usually  the  hind 
quarters.  The  larger  milk  ducts  contain  yellowish,  cheesy  particles, 
in  which  are  many  tubercle  bacilli.  Later  on,  larger  nodules  can  be 
felt  within  the  udder,  which  undergo  the  various  changes  to  which 
tubercles  are  subject.  The  udder  may  grow  very  hard  to  the  touch 
and  become  very  large,  weighing  in  some  cases  up  to  40  pounds.  The 
milk,  at  first  normal,  becomes  thin  and  watery  after  a  month  or  so, 
and  is  mixed  with  flakes  and  tubercle  bacilli. 

As  regards  the  frequency  of  the  tubercular  processes  in  the  different 
organs,  the  following  carefully  compiled  statistics  of  the  disease  in 
Bavaria  and  Baden  may  serve  as  a  guide: 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  407 

Bavaria:  Per  cent. 

Tuberculosis  of  lungs  and  serous  membranes 41 

Tuberculosis  of  lungs  alone 33 

Tuberculosis  of  serous  membranes  alone  (pearly  disease) 17 

Tuberculosis  of  other  organs 8 

Baden: 

Tuberculosis  of  lungs  alone 21 

Tuberculosis  of  serous  membranes  alone - : 28 

Both  combined 39 

Generalized  tuberculosis  _ 9 

Tuberculosis  of  the  sexual  organs  alone 3 

Symptoms. — The  beginning  of  the  disease  usually  passes  unnoticed, 
inasmuch  as  it  is  very  slow  and  insidious  and  rarely  accompanied  by 
fever.  When  the  lungs  are  involved -a  dull,  short  cough  is  noticed, 
which  may  later  on  become  prolonged,  convulsive,  and  very  trouble- 
some to  the  animal.  The  cough  is  more  frequent  in  the  morning  after 
movement  and  drinking.  The  breathing  varies.  Only  when  much  of 
the  lung  tissue  is  diseased,  it  is  labored  and  accompanied  by  active 
movements  of  the  chest  and  nostrils.  Discharge  from  the  nose  is  rare 
or  absent.  At  times,  however,  when  the  tubercles  have  broken  down 
and  cavities  containing  cheesy  masses  have  formed  in  the  lung  tissue, 
or  when  the  air  tubes  have  become  filled  with  cheesy  and  mucous 
masses,  coughing  will  dislodge  these  and  cause  their  discharge.  In 
advanced  stages  the  breath  may  have  a  disagreeable  odor.  Pressure 
on  the  chest  wall  may  give  rise  to  pain. 

The  general  effect  on  the  body  is  at  first  slight.  In  fact,  animals 
may  remain  in  good  flesh  for  a  considerable  time.  Invariably,  as  the 
disease  progresses,  loss  of  flesh  and  appetite  and  paleness  of  the 
mucous  membranes  become  manifest.  These  are  accompanied  by  a 
gradual  diminution  of  the  milk  secretion.  The  debilitated  condition 
of  the  animal  is  also  manifested  by  a  staring  coat  and  a  tough,  dry, 
harsh  skin  (hidebound).  Digestive  disturbances  are  indicated  by 
tympanites,  or  distention  of  the  rumen  by  gas,  colic,  and  diarrhea, 
alternating  with  constipation.  The  animal  generally  dies  from  exhaus- 
tion after  a  period  of  sickness  which  may  last  months  and  years. 

Tuberculosis  in  the  abdominal  organs  is  often  signalized  by  abor- 
tion and  by  abnormal  sexual  manifestations.  When  the  brain  is 
involved  the  disease  may  cause  convulsions,  unconsciousness,  paraly- 
sis, as  well  as  peculiar  movements  in  a  circle,  oblique  position  of  the 
head,  etc.  Lydtin  quotes  the  following  description  of  the  disease  as 
taken  from  a  Swiss  sanitary  order: 

A  dry,  short,  interrupted,  hoarse  cough,  which  the  sick  animals  manifest  espe- 
cially in  the  morning  at  feeding  time,  still  more  after  somewhat  violent  exertion. 
At  first  these  animals  may  be  full-blooded  and  lay  on  a  considerable  amount  of  fat 
when  well  fed.  As  the  disease  progresses  they  grow  thin  and  show  more  and 
more  those  appearances  which  indicate  diseased  nutrition,  such  as  a  staring,  lus- 
terless,  disheveled  coat;  dirty,  tense  skin,  which  appears  very  pale  in  those  regions 
free  from  hair.     The  temperature  of  the  skin  is  below  normal.     The  loss  of  f&t 


408  DISEASES   OF   CATTLE. 

causes  sinking  of  the  eyes  in  their  sockets.  They  appear  swimming  in  water,  and 
their  expression  is  weak.  The  cough  is  more  frequent,  but  never  or  very  rarely 
accompanied  with  discharge.  The  body  continues  to  emaciate  even  with  plenty 
of  food  and  a  good  appetite,  so  that  the  quantity  of  milk  is  small.  At  times  in 
the  early  stages  of  the  disease,  still  more  in  the  later  stages,  the  diseased  animals 
manifest  considerable  tenderness  when  pressure  is  applied  to  the  front  or  the 
sides  of  the  chest,  by  coughing,  moaning,  etc.  Often  symptoms  are  wanting  in 
spite  of  the  existence  of  the  disease. 

Lydtin  also  quotes  at  length  a  description  of  the  abnormal  sexual 
desire  occasionally  observed  among  cows  when  affected  with  this 
disease. 

Diagnosis. — A  disease  so  varied  in  its  attack  upon  the  different 
organs  of  the  body  and  in  the  extent  of  the  disease  process  must  nec- 
essarily lead  to  mistakes  when  diagnosis  is  attempted  by  ordinary 
means  of  examination.  It  has  been  confounded  with  the  later  stages 
of  pleuro-pneumonia,  with  parasitic  diseases  of  the  brain,  the  lungs, 
the  intestines,  and  with  actinomycosis.  A  careful  examination  of  the 
lungs  by  ausculation  and  percussion  enables  the  expert  to  locate  large 
tubercular  masses,  owing  to  dullness,  loss  of  respiratory  murmur,  and 
abnormal  sounds,  such  as  blowing,  whistling,  and  creaking.  How- 
ever, the  majority  of  cases  of  tuberculosis  in  cattle,  including  many 
in  which  the  lungs  are  quite  seriously  involved,  can  not  be  detected 
in  this  manner. 

THE   TUBERCULIN   TEST. 

The  tuberculin  test,  which  is  niarvelousty  accurate  in  its  indica- 
tions, has  been  almost  universally  adopted  for  the  detection  of 
tuberculosis.  Tuberculin  is  a  drug  prepared  by  sterilizing,  filtering, 
and  concentrating  the  liquids  in  which  the  tubercle  bacillus  has  been 
allowed  to  vegetate.  It  contains  the  cooked  products  of  the  growth 
of  these  bacilli,  but  not  the  bacilli  themselves.  Consequently,  when 
this  substance  is  injected  under  the  skin  of  an  animal  it  is  absolutely 
unable  to  produce  the  disease,  cause  abortion,  or  otherwise  injure  the 
animal.  In  case  the  injected  animal  is  normal  there  is  no  more  effect 
upon  the  system  than  would  be  expected  from  the  injection  of  sterile 
water.  However,  if  the  animal  is  tuberculous,  a  decided  rise  of  tem- 
perature will  follow  the  use  of  tuberculin.  This  substance,  discov- 
ered by  Koch,  has  the  effect,  when  injected  into  the  tissues  of  a 
tuberculous  animal,  of  causing  a  decided  rise  of  temperature,  while  it 
has  no  such  effect  upon  animals  free  from  the  disease.  The  value  of 
tuberculin  for  this  purpose  was  tested  during  the  years  1890  and  1891 
by  Guttman,  Roeckl  and  Schiitz,  Bang  and  Salomonsen,  Lydtin, 
Johne  and  Siedamgrotzky,  Nocard,  and  many  others.  It  was  at  once 
recognized  as  a  most  remarkable  and  accurate  method  of  detecting 
tuberculosis  even  in  the  early  stages  and  wheu  the  disease  had  yet 
made  but  little  progress. 


INFECTIOUS  DISEASES  OF   CATTLE.  409 

The  tuberculin  test  came  into  existence  through  the  most  careful 
and  thorough  scientific  experimentation.  In  practice  it  is  applied  by 
first  taking  the  temperature  of  the  animal  to  be  tested,  at  intervals 
of  about  two  hours,  a  sufficient  number  of  times  to  establish  the  nor- 
mal temperature  of  the  body  under  the  ordinary  conditions  of  life. 
The  proper  dose  of  tuberculin  is  then  injected  under  the  skin  with  a 
hypodermic  syringe  between  8  and  10  p.  m.  on  the  day  of  taking  the 
preliminary  temperatures.  On  the  following  day  the  temperatures 
are  taken  every  two  hours,  beginning  at  6  a.  m.  and  continuing  until 
twenty  hours  following  the  injection,  if  the  fullest  information  is 
desired. a  From  average  temperatures  calculated  by  De  Schweinitz 
in  1896  of  about  1,600  tests  of  tuberculous  cows,  it  appears  that  in 
general  the  rise  of  temperature  begins  from  five  and  one-half  to  six 
hours  after  the  tuberculin  is  injected,  reaches  its  greatest  height  from 
the  sixteenth  to  the  twentieth  hours,  and  then  gradually  declines, 
reaching  the  normal  again  by  the  twenty-eighth  hour. 

As  a  result  of  this  method  an  accurate  diagnosis  may  be  established 
in  over  97  per  cent  of  the  cases  tested.  The  relatively  few  failures 
in  diagnoses  are  included  among  two  classes  of  cattle.  The  first  class 
contains  those  that  are  tuberculous,  but  which  do  not  react  either  be- 
cause of  the  slight  effect  of  an  ordinary-sized  dose  of  tuberculin  on 
an  advanced  case  of  the  disease  with  so  much  natural  tuberculin 
already  in  the  system,  or  on  account  of  a  recent  previous  test  with 
tuberculin  which  produces  a  tolerance  to  this  material  lasting  for 
about  six  weeks.  The  second  class  includes  those  that  are  not  tuber- 
culous, but  which  show  an  elevation  of  temperature  as  a  result  of 
(a)  advanced  pregnancy,  (&)  the  excitement  of  oestrum,  (c)  concur- 
rent diseases,  as  inflammation  of  the  lungs,  intestines,  uterus,  udder, 
or  other  parts,  abortion,  retention  of  afterbirth,  indigestion,  etc., 
(d)  inclosure  in  a  hot,  stuffy  stable,  especially  in  summer,  or  exposure 
to  cold  drafts  or  rains,  (e)  any  change  in  the  method  of  feeding,  water- 
ing, or  stabling  of  the  animal  during  the  test.  Notwithstanding  all 
these  possibilities  of  error,  the  results  of  thousands  of  tests  show  that 
in  less  than  3  per  cent  of  the  cases  tested  do  these  failures  actually 
occur.  In  the  first  class  the  chances  of  error  are  decidedly  reduced  by 
the  skilled  veterinarian  by  making  careful  physical  examination  and 
diagnosing  clinically  these  advanced  cases,  and  by  the  injection  of 
double  or  triple  doses  into  all  recently  tested  cattle,  with  the  taking 
of  the  after  temperatures,  beginning  two  hours  following  the  injection 
and  continuing  hourly  for  twenty  hours. 

0  The  oculo-tuberculin  test  and  the  cuto-tuberculin  test,  as  their  names  imply, 
consist  in  the  application  of  the  tuberculin  to  the  eye  and  to  the  scarified  skin  of 
the  animal  to  be  tested.  These  methods  will  not  be  discussed  at  present,  as  they 
are  still  in  the  experimental  stage. 


410  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

It  is  therefore  apparent  that  tuberculin  should  only  be  applied  by 
or  under  the  direction  of  a  competent  veterinarian,  capable  not  only 
of  injecting  the  tuberculin  but  also  of  interpreting  the  results,  and 
particularly  of  picking  out  all  clinical  cases  by  physical  examination. 
The  latter  observation  is  extremely  important  and  should  always  be 
made  on  every  animal  tested. 

In  the  second  class  errors  are  avoided  by  eliminating  those  cases  from 
the  test  that  are  nearing  parturition  or  are  in  heat  or  show  evidence  of 
the  previously  mentioned  diseases  or  exhibit  temperatures  sufficiently 
high  to  make  them  unreliable  for  use  as  normal.  Then,  in  reading 
after  temperatures  it  is  advisable  not  to  recognize  as  a  reaction  an 
elevation  of  temperature  less  than  2°  F.  and  which  at  the  same 
time  must  go  above  103.8°  F.,  and  the  temperature  reaction  must 
likewise  have  the  characteristic  rainbow  curve.  (Those  cases  which 
approximate  but  do  not  reach  this  standard  should  be  considered 
as  suspicious  and  held  for  a  retest  six  weeks  later.)  In  addition, 
a  satisfactory  tuberculin  must  be  used,  also  an  accurate  thermometer 
and  a  reliable  syringe,  in  order  that  a  sufficient  dose  of  tuberculin  may 
be  given.  Finally,  the  number  of  apparent  errors  of  the  tuberculin 
test  will  be  greatly  diminished  if  a  careful  post-mortem  examination 
is  made,  giving  especial  attention  to  the  lymph  glands.  This  low  per- 
centage of  failures  being  the  case,  cattle  owners  should  welcome  the 
tuberculin  test,  not  only  for  their  own  interest  but  for  the  welfare  of 
the  public  as  well.  Where  this  method  of  diagnosing  the  disease  has 
been  adopted  tuberculosis  is  gradually  being  eradicated,  while  it  is 
spreading  rapidly  and  becoming  widely  disseminated  in  those  districts 
where  the  tuberculin  test  has  not  been  employed.  Without  its  use 
the  disease  can  not  be  controlled  and  the  cattle  owner  is  confronted 
with  serious  and  continuous  losses ;  with  its  use  the  disease  can  be 
eradicated  from  the  herd,  a  clean  herd  established  in  a  few  years 
without  very  serious  loss  or  hardship,  and  the  danger  of  its  spread  to 
man  removed.  Tuberculin  may  therefore  be  considered  a  most  bene- 
ficial discovery  for  the  stock  raiser.  Strange  to  say,  many  of  these 
men  have  been  incredulous,  antagonistic,  or  prejudiced  against  the 
tuberculin  test  by  misinterpreting  published  statements,  by  incor- 
rect, unsubstantiated,  or  exaggerated  reports,  and  by  alleged  injurious 
effects  to  healthy  cattle. 

Law  has  clearly  stated  the  question  when  he  says — 

Many  stock  owners  still  entertain  an  ignorant  and  unwarranted  dread  of  the 
tuberculin  test.  It  is  true  that  when  recklessly  used  by  ignorant  and  careless 
people  it  may  be  made  a  root  of  evil,  yet  as  employed  by  the  intelligent  and  careful 
expert  it  is  not  only  perfectly  safe,  but  it  is  the  only  known  means  of  ascertaining 
approximately  the  actual  number  affected  in  a  given  herd.  In  most  infected  herds 
living  under  what  are  in  other  respects  good  hygienic  conditions  two-thirds  or 
three- fourths  are  not  to  be  detected  without  its  aid,  so  that  in  clearing  a  herd 
from  tuberculosis  and  placing  both  herd  and  products  above  suspicion  the  test 


INFECTIOUS   DISEASES   OF    CATTLE.  411 

becomes  essential.  *  *  *  In  skilled  hands  the  tuberculin  test  will  show  at 
least  nine-tenths  of  all  cases  of  tuberculosis  when  other  methods  of  diagnosis 
will  not  detect  one-tenth. 

It  is  perfectly  natural  that  there  should  be  objection  to  its  use 
among  those  who  are  not  acquainted  with  its  method  of  preparation 
or  its  properties,  but  it  is  difficult  to  explain  the  antagonism  of  farmers 
who  are  familiar  with  the  facts  connected  with  the  manufacture  and 
use  of  tuberculin.  Probably  the  most  popular  objection  to  tuberculin 
is  that  it  is  too  searching,  since  it  discovers  cases  in  which  the  lesions 
are  small  and  obscure.  While  this  fact  is  admitted,  it  should  also  be 
borne  in  mind  that  such  a  small  lesion  to-day  may  break  down  and 
become  widely  disseminated  in  a  relatively  short  period.  Therefore 
any  cow  affected  with  tuberculosis  even  to  a  slight  degree  must  be 
considered  as  dangerous  not  only  to  the  other  animals  in  the  herd 
but  also  to  the  consumer  of  her  products. 

In  1898,  Bang,  of  Copenhagen,  one  of  the  highest  European  author- 
ities, in  his  paper  presented  to  the  Congress  for  the  Study  of  Human 
and  Animal  Tuberculosis,  at  Paris,  said : 

Numerous  tests  made  in  almost  every  civilized  country  have  demonstrated  that 
in  the  majority  of  cases  tuberculin  is  an  excellent  means  for  diagnosing  the  exist- 
ence or  the  nonexistence  of  the  disease,  but  giving  us  no  positive  information  as 
to  the  extent  to  which  the  disease  has  progressed.  When  tuberculin  produces  a 
typical  reaction  we  may  be  almost  sure  that  there  exists  in  the  body  of  the  animal 
a  tubercular  process.  The  cases  in  which  a  careful  examiner  has  not  succeeded  in 
finding  it  are  very  rare,  and  I  am  led  to  believe  that  when,  notwithstanding  all 
the  pains  taken,  it  has  escaped  discovery,  the  reason  is  that  it  is  located  in  a  por- 
tion of  the  body  that  is  particularly  inaccessible.  Nevertheless,  it  is  not  to  be 
denied  that  a  fever,  entirely  accidental  and  of  short  duration,  may  in  some  rare 
cases  have  simulated  a  reaction.  However  this  may  be,  the  error  committed  in 
wrongly  condemning  an  occasional  animal  for  tuberculosis  is  of  no  practical 
consequence. 

A  worse  aspect  of  the  case  is  that  there  are  some  diseased  animals  in  which 
tuberculin  fails  to  discover  the  existence  of  tuberculosis.  In  most  of  these,  no 
doubt,  the  deposits  are  old,  insignificant,  and  generally  calcified,  or  they  are  cases 
where  the  disease  is  arrested  and  perhaps  in  process  of  recovery,  and  which  are 
possibly  incapable  of  disseminating  the  contagion.  But  it  is  known  that  there  are 
cases,  not  altogether  rare,  where  tiiberculin  fails  to  cause  a  reaction  in  a  highly 
tuberculous  animal,  and  consequently  one  in  which  the  disease  exists  in  an 
extremely  contagious  form.  For  this  reason  a  clinical  examination  should  always 
be  made  of  an  animal  which  does  not  give  a  reaction,  but  which  shows  symptoms 
indicating  that  notwithstanding  the  test  it  may  suffer  from  tuberculosis. 

Nocard,  of  Paris,  wrote  also  in  1898  as  follows: 

The  degree  of  certainty  of  the  indications  furnished  may  be  stated  in  precise 
terms.  TJie  observation  of  a  clear  reaction  to  tuberculin  is  unequivocal;  the  ani- 
mal is  tuberculous.  The  pretended  errors  imputed  to  the  method  are  explained 
by  the  extreme  sensitiveness  of  the  reagent,  which  is  capable  of  detecting  the 
smallest  lesion.  It  often  requires  prolonged  and  minute  researches  in  the  depths 
of  all  the  tissues  to  discover  the  few  miliary  centers,  the  presence  of  which  has 


412  DISEASES   OF   CATTLE. 

been  revealed.  The  reaction  is  absolutely  specific.  In  those  cases  where  it  is 
observed  with  animals  which  show  lesions  of  another  disease  (actinomycosis, 
hydatid  disease,  verminous  bronchitis,  distomatosis) ,  it  may  be  affirmed  that 
there  exists,  in  addition  to  these  conspicuous  changes,  a  tuberculous  center  which 
alone  has  provoked  the  reaction. 

The  failure  to  react  does  not  necessarily  imply  absence  of  tuberculosis.  Such 
failures  of  tuberculin  are  very  exceptional.  They  are  seen  most  frequently  with 
animals  affected  with  tuberculosis  in  a  very  advanced  stage  and  made  evident  by 
plain  external  signs.  Sometimes,  also,  there  are  found  at  the  post-mortem  exam- 
ination of  animals  which  have  not  reacted  small  fibrous  or  calcified  lesions  in 
such  a  condition  that  one  is  tempted  to  believe  them  cured.  Whether  sterile  or 
not  these  lesions  have  no  tendency  to  increase,  and  they  are  not  very  dangerous 
from  the  point  of  view  of  contagion. 

These  opinions  of  two  eminent  authorities,  living  in  different  coun- 
tries, after  long  experience  of  their  own  and  after  studying  the  results 
of  the  many  tests  made  in  different  parts  of  the  world,  should  have 
great  weight.     They  are  essentially  the  same  throughout. 

In  1897  Voges  compiled  statistics  of  tuberculin  tests  the  accuracy  of 
which  had  been  determined  by  post-mortem  examination.  Of  7,327 
animals  tested  it  appeared  that  errors  had  been  made  with  204,  or 
2.78  per  cent.  In  the  work  of  the  Pennsylvania  Live  Stock  Sanitary 
Board  post-mortem  examinations  were  made  on  about  4,400  reacting 
cattle  and  the  disease  was  found  in  all  but  eight  of  those  which  had 
given  characteristic  reactions. 

The  results  of  a  much  larger  number  of  tests  might  be  compiled  at 
this  time  but  they  would  not  materially  change  the  average  of  those 
already  mentioned.  It  is  plain  that  tuberculin  is  a  remarkably  accu- 
rate test  of  tuberculosis ;  that  the  animals  which  react  may  be  safely 
considered  as  tuberculous  and  that  when  a  careful  clinical  examina- 
tion is  practiced  in  addition  to  the  test  there  are  few  animals  in  a 
dangerous  condition  which  escape  detection. 

The  first  questions  asked  by  those  who  oppose  the  adoption  of  the 
tuberculin  tests  are:  Is  this  test  infallible?  and,  If  it  is  not  infallible, 
why  should  it  be  forced  upon  the  cattle  owners  of  the  country? 

In  answer  to  these  questions  it  may  be  said  that  tuberculin  is  not 
absolutely  infallible,  and  yet  it  is  by  far  the  best  method  of  diag- 
nosing tuberculosis  that  has  been  discovered.  It  is  much  better 
than  any  test  known  for  pleuro-pneumonia  when  that  disease  was 
eradicated. 

Practically  all  the  animals  that  react  are  affected  with  tuberculosis 
and  should  be  separated  from  the  herd,  not  only  in  the  interest  of  the 
public  but  in  the  interest  of  the  owner  of  the  herd.  The  best  authori- 
ties admit,  after  studying  many  thousands  of  tests,  that  there  are 
few,  if  any,  mistakes  made  in  condemning  cattle  which  show  a  typical 
tuberculin  reaction.  The  errors  are  principally  in  the  other  direc- 
tion— that  is,  some  tuberculous  animals  are  not  discovered  by  the 


INFECTIOUS   DISEASES   OF    CATTLE.  413 

tuberculin  test,  but  as  the  most  dangerous  of  these  may  be  picked 
out  by  ordinary  clinical  examination  this  fault  of  tuberculin  is  not 
so  serious  as  it  at  first  sight  appears.  This  being  the  case,  it  should 
not  be  necessary  to  force  the  tuberculin  test  upon  owners.  They 
should  be  anxious  to  adopt  it  in  their  own  interests  and  for  the  pro- 
tection of  their  patrons.  There  is  to-day  no  greater  danger  to  the 
cattle  and  hog  industries  than  that  which  confronts  them  in  the  form 
of  tuberculosis,  a  disease  already  widespread  and  rapidly  extending. 
Furthermore,  tuberculin  must  be  considered  as  harmless  for  healthy 
animals  in  view  of  the  results  revealed  by  numerous  tests  covering 
vast  numbers  of  animals.  And  it  has  also  been  clearly  demonstrated 
that  tuberculin  interferes  in  no  way  with  the  milking  function  in 
healthy  cattle;  neither  in  the  quantity  of  milk  nor  in  butterfat 
value  has  any  variation  been  detected.  The  conclusions  of  some  of 
the  best  authorities  on  the  subject  of  its  harmlessness  to  healthy 
animals  are  given  below. 

Nocard  and  Leclainche  state: 

Direct  experiments  and  observations  collected  by  thousands  show  that  the 
tuberculin  injections  have  no  unfavorable  effect.  With  healthy  animals  the  sys- 
tem is  indifferent  to  the  inoculation;  with  tuberculous  animals  it  causes  slight 
changes  which  are  not  at  all  serious. 

Bang  has  written  as  follows  on  this  question : 

We  will  now  consider  the  following  question,  a  very  important  one,  in  the  appli- 
cation of  tuberculin,  viz:  Can  the  reaction  produce  a  worse  condition  in  tubercu- 
lous animals  than  before  existed  ?  Hess  emphatically  states  that  it  can,  and  on  thjs 
account  he  earnestly  warns  against  its  application.  My  attention  has  been  directed 
to  this  question  from  the  beginning.  In  my  first  publication  on  tuberculin  injec- 
tion I  reported  two  cases  in  which  acute  miliary  tuberculosis  was  proved  in  two 
high-grade  tuberculous  cows  several  weeks  after  the  tuberculin  injection.  I  then 
stated  my  suspicion  that  perhaps  the  tuberciilin  injection  had  some  connection 
with  this,  just  as  is  often  supposed  to  be  the  case  in  human  practice.  With  my 
present  very  lirge  amount  of  material  for  observation  at  hand  I  may  express  the 
following  opinion:  Such  an  acute  development  of  tuberculosis  as  a  result  of  tuber- 
culin injection  is  to  be  feared  only  exceptionally,  and  then  in  cases  of  advanced 
tuberculosis.  It  must  not  be  forgotten  that  acute  miliary  tuberculosis  by  no  means 
rarely  accompanies  an  advanced  tuberculosis  of  long  standing.  It  is  therefore 
impossible  to  offer  strict  proof  of  the  causal  connection  with  the  injection,  and  only 
oft-repeated  observation  could  make  this  probable.  In  support  of  my  view  I  offer 
the  following:  In  the  course  of  the  last  three  years  I  have  made  careful  post- 
mortem examinations  of  83  tuberculous  animals,  which  have  been  removed  from 
my  experiment  farm,  Thurebylille.  Among  these  were  18  (or,  strictly  speaking, 
23 )  high-grade  tuberculou  3  animals.  I  have  been  able  to  prove  miliary  tuberculosis 
in  only  4  of  these.  Among  the  others,  which  showed  less  developed  tuberculosis, 
I  have  never  found  miliary  tuberculosis,  and  with  very  many  I  have  never  found 
any  sign  of  a  more  rapid  development  of  the  process.  On  the  contrary,  it  has 
been  proved  that  the  disease  was  restricted  locally,  often  for  years,  in  spite  of 
yearly  repeated  injections.  Dissections  were  made  at  very  different  periods  after 
the  injections — in  17  cases  from  four  to  twelve  days  after  the  last  test.     In  all  of 


414  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

these  cases  earlier  tests  had  been  made  months  or  years  before.  In  28  cases  the 
injection  took  place  from  nineteen  days  to  two  months  before  the  butchering;  in 
3  of  these  cases  earlier  injections  had  been  made.  In  38  cases  from  two  and 
one-half  months  to  one  year  intervened  between  the  last  injection  and  the  dissec- 
tion. Dissection  gives  the  best  explanation  of  this  question,  but  a  clinical  obser- 
vation, continued  for  years,  of  a  herd  tested  with  tuberculin  can  render  very 
essential  aid.  If  Hess*s  opinion  is  correct,  it  is  to  be  assumed  that  tuberculosis 
must  take  an  unusually  vicious  course  in  such  herds,  but  this  I  have  been  unable 
to  prove.  At  Thurebylille  there  has  existed  for  three  years  a  reacting  division, 
consisting  originally  of  131  head  and  now  of  69,  Although  these  animals  are 
yearly  tested,  and  although  most  of  them  react  every  year,  the  division  certainly 
appears  to  be  made  up  of  healthy  animals,  and  the  farm  inspector  has  expressed 
the  decided  opinion  that  the  tuberculosis  in  this  division  is  no  more  developed 
than  at  the  beginning  of  the  experiment.  The  testimony  of  many  owners  of  large 
herds  of  cattle  which  have  long  ago  been  injected  is  to  the  same  effect.  I  will 
adduce  statements  from  several.  A  farm  tenant  whose  cattle  were  injected  twenty 
months  previously,  when  82  per  cent  of  the  grown  animals  reacted,  wrote  me 
recently  as  follows:  "  Only  2  cows  from  the  division  of  100  head  had  been  sold  as 
decidedly  tuberculous.  The  majority  appeared  afterwards,  just  as  before,  entirely 
healthy.  The  fat  animals  which  had  been  slaughtered  had  been  pronounced 
healthy  by  the  butchers. "  Another  farm  tenant  with  a  herd  injected  in  1894  had 
not  been  obliged  to  remove  a  single  animal  from  the  tuberculosis  division,  num- 
bering 70  head.  A  large  farm  owner  in  Jutland  stated  in  September  that  he  had 
traced  no  undesirable  result  from  the  injection.  His  herd  of  350  had  been  injected 
hi  February  and  about  75  per  cent  reacted.  Similar  answers  have  been  given  by 
other  owners  and  veterinarians. 

A  veterinarian  who  had  injected  600  animals,  among  them  a  herd  of  a  large 
farm,  eighteen  months  previously,  expressed  the  belief  that  the  injection  had  pro- 
duced in  no  single  case  an  unusually  rapid  or  vicious  course  of  tuberculosis.  In 
spite  of  a  demand  made  months  ago,  I  have  received  thus  far  no  report  from  any 
veterinarian  of  an  undesirable  result. 

On  a  large  farm,  on  which  before  the  injection  tuberculosis  had  appeared  in  a 
vicious  form,  the  owner  had  the  impression  that  the  severe  cases  had  afterwards 
become  more  numerous.  He  had,  however,  not  suffered  severe  losses,  and  eight 
months  later  the  large  reacting  division  by  no  means  made  a  bad  impression. 
Finally,  it  is  to  be  noticed  that  tuberculin  has  been  employed  on  a  large  scale  in 
Denmark  for  years,  and  still  the  demand  from  farmers  constantly  increases.  This 
could  certainly  not  be  the  case  if  the  injections  were  generally  followed  by  bad 
results. 

Paige  said,  after  the  tests  of  the  herd  of  the  Massachusetts  Agri- 
cultural College,  that  "its  use  is  not  followed  by  any  ill  effects  of  a 
serious  or  permanent  nature." 

Lamson,  of  the  New  Hampshire  College  Agricultural  Experiment 
Station,  said :  ' '  There  is  abundant  testimony  that  its  use  is  not  in  any 
way  injurious  to  a  healthy  animal." 

Conn,  who  made  a  special  study  of  the  present  attitude  of  Euro- 
pean science  toward  tuberculosis  in  cattle,  reached  the  following 
conclusions: 

It  has  been,  from  the  first,  thought  by  some  that  the  use  of  tuberculin  produces 
a  direct  injury  upon  the  inoculated  animals.  This,  however,  is  undoubtedly  a 
mistake,  and  there  is  no  longer  any  belief  anywhere  on  the  part  of  scientists  that 
the  injury  thus  produced  is  worthy  of  note.  In  the  first  place,  the  idea  that  it 
may  produce  the  disease  in  a  perfectly  healthy  animal  by  the  inoculation  is  abso- 


INFECTIOUS   DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  415 

lutely  fallacious.  The  tuberculin  does  not  contain  the  tubercle  bacillus,  and  it  is 
absolutely  certain  that  it  is  impossible  to  produce  a  case  of  tuberculosis  in  an 
animal  unless  the  tubercle  bacilli  are  present.  The  use  of  tuberculin,  therefore, 
certainly  can  never  produce  the  disease  in  the  inoculated  animal. 

It  has  been  more  widely  believed,  however,  that  the  inoculation  of  an  animal 
with  this  material  has  a  tendency  to  stimulate  an  incipient  case  of  tuberculosis. 
It  haw  been  thought  that  an  animal  with  a  very  slight  case  of  the  disease  may, 
after  inoculation,  show  a  very  rapid  extension  of  this  disease  and  be  speedily 
brought  to  a  condition  where  it  is  beyond  any  use.  The  reasons  given  for  this 
have  been  the  apparent  activity  of  the  tuberculosis  infection  in  animals  that  have 
been  slaughtered  shortly  after  inoculation.  This  has  been  claimed,  not  only  by 
agriculturists  who  have  not  understood  the  subject  well,  but  also  by  veterinarians 
and  bacteriologists.  But  here  too,  we  must  recognize  that  the  claim  has  been 
disproved,  and  that  there  is  now  a  practical  unanimity  of  opinion  on  the  part  of 
all  who  are  best  calculated  to  judge,  that  such  an  injurious  effect  does  not  occur. 
Even  those  who  have  been  most  pronounced  in  the  claim  that  there  is  injury  thus 
resulting  from  tuberculin  have,  little  by  little,  modified  their  claim,  until  at  the 
present  time  they  say  either  that  the  injury  which  they  formerly  claimed  does 
not  occur,  or  that  the  stimulus  of  the  disease  is  so  slight  that  it  should  be  abso- 
lutely neglected,  in  view  of  the  great  value  which  may  arise  from  the  use  of  tuber- 
culin. Apart  from  two  or  three  who  hold  this  very  moderate  opinion,  all  bacte- 
riologists and  veterinarians  unite  in  agreeing  that  there  is  no  evidence  for  believ- 
ing that  any  injury  results.  In  Denmark,  especially,  many  hundreds  of  thousands 
of  animals  have  been  inoculated,  and  the  veterinarians  say  there  is  absolutely  no 
reason  in  all  their  experience  for  believing  that  the  tuberculin  inoculation  is  fol- 
lowed by  any  injurious  results. 

In  1898  tuberculosis  was  found  in  the  large  Shorthorn  herd  belong- 
ing to  W.  C.  Edwards,  of  Canada,  who  with  commendable  promptness 
and  public  spirit  had  his  animals  tested,  and  at  once  proceeded  to 
separate  the  diseased  from  the  healthy  animals.  These  were  all  finely- 
bred  animals,  and  the  very  class  which  we  have  been  told  are  most 
susceptible  to  the  injurious  effects  of  tuberculin.  After  using  this 
test  regularly  for  two  years,  Mr.  Edwards  wrote  as  follows : 

I  have  seen  nothing  to  lead  me  to  believe  that  the  tuberculin  test  had  any  inju- 
rious influence  on  the  course  of  the  disease.  It  is  by  no  means  our  opinion  that 
the  disease  has  been  stimulated  or  aggravated  by  the  application  of  the  tuberculin 
test.  All  animals  that  we  have  tested  two  or  three  times  continue  as  hale  and 
hearty  as  they  were  previously,  and  not  one  animal  in  our  herds  has  broken  down 
or  failed  in  any  way  since  we  began  testing. 

Mr.  Edwards,  in  December,  1901,  verbally  stated  to  the  writer  that 
his  views  as  to  the  harmlessness  of  tuberculin  remained  unchanged, 
and  that  he  had  not  seen  the  least  ill  effect  with  any  of  his  cattle  from 
its  use. 

Those  who  have  had  most  experience  with  tuberculin  have  failed  to 
observe  any  injurious  effects  following  its  use  upon  healthy  cattle. 
With  tuberculous  cattle  it  produces  a  fever  of  short  duration,  and  in 
the  great  majority  of  cases  all  derangement  of  the  system  which  it 
causes  disappears  within  forty-eight  hours  after  the  tuberculin  is 
administered.  There  appear  to  have  been  a  very  few  cases  in  which 
the  disease  was  aggravated,  and  a  greater  number  in  which  it  was 


416  DISEASES   OE   CATTLE. 

benefited  by  the  injection  of  tuberculin.  The  cases  of  abortion  fol- 
lowing the  tuberculin  test  have  not  been  numerous,  even  when  cows 
were  tested  within  a  few  weeks  of  the  normal  time  of  calving.  The 
few  cases  of  abortion  which  have  occurred  may  be  explained  by  the 
fact  that  abortion  in  cattle  is  a  very  common  occurrence,  and  that  it 
would  inevitably  happen  sometimes  after  the  tuberculin  test  as  a 
mere  coincidence,  and  without  any  relation  between  the  test  and  the 
loss  of  the  calf.  The  cases  of  abortion  which  have  been  cited  appear 
to  be  no  more  numerous  than  might  be  expected  to  have  occurred 
among  the  same  number  of  cattle  within  the  same  period  if  the  test 
had  not  been  applied. 

Most  of  the  objections  to  tuberculin  would  probably  be  removed 
if  some  method  of  compensation  for  the  reacting  animals  could  be 
devised.  Thus,  in  Pennsylvania,  where  tuberculosis  is  being  eradi- 
cated with  more  success  than  in  any  other  State,  and  where  there  are 
usually  three  times  as  many  voluntary  requests  on  file  for  the  appli- 
cation of  the  test  as  can  be  made,  all  reacting  animals  are  paid  for 
by  the  State.  As  the  suppression  of  tuberculosis  is  a  public  health 
measure  it  would  appear  perfectly  logical  for  the  state  governments 
to  reimburse  cattle  owners  for  animals  condemned  and  slaughtered. 

Provision  could  be  made  to  pay  70  per  cent  of  the  appraised  value 
of  the  condemned  animals,  not  to  exceed  $30  per  head  for  common 
stock  or  $60  for  registered  stock.  Such  legislation  should  also  include 
a  requirement  for  the  testing  of  all  cattle  coming  into  the  State. 

All  tuberculous  animals  should  be  slaughtered  in  abattoirs  having 
federal  inspection,  and  the  money  obtained  from  carcasses  which  are 
inspected  and  passed  for  food,  and  from  the  hide  and  offal  of  those 
carcasses  condemned  as  unfit  for  food,  should  be  applied  as  part  pay- 
ment on  the  indemnity  for  their  respective  owners.  The  payment  of 
indemnity  for  tuberculous  animals  is  a  good  business  policy  and  would 
do  more  toward  making  the  tuberculin  test  popular  with  cattle  owners 
than  any  other  possible  action.  And  as  a  corollary  of  the  latter  more 
testing  would  be  performed,  and  more  tuberculous  cattle  would  be 
discovered  at  the  start,  but  the  gradual  suppression  of  the  disease 
would  soon  be  manifest,  as  has  been  noted  in  Pennsylvania  and  Den- 
mark. Furthermore,  as  Stiles  has  mentioned,  if  tuberculosis  can  be 
eradicated  from  dairy  herds  with  but  slight  loss  to  the  owner,  the 
increase  in  the  price  of  milk  would  naturally  be  inhibited,  and  the 
children  of  poor  families  would  consequently  be  in  less  danger  of 
having  this  very  important  article  of  their  diet  decreased. 

From  the  investigations  and  observations  that  have  been  mentioned, 
it  may  be  safely  concluded — 

1.  That  the  tuberculin  test  is  a  wonderfully  accurate  method  of 
determining  whether  an  animal  is  affected  with  tuberculosis. 

2.  That  by  the  use  of  tuberculin  the  animals  diseased  with  tuber- 
culosis may  be  detected  and  removed  from  the  herd,  thereby  eradi- 
cating the  disease. 


Diseases  of  Cattle. 


Plate  xxxiv 


Portions  ofTuberculous  Lungsof  Cattle. 


Diseases  of  Cattle 


Plate  xxxv 


Ha.nes  del 


IUSBIEN  i   CO.I 


Tuberculous  Liver  of  Cow. 


Diseases  of  Cattle 


Plate  xxxvi 


H 

c 

CD 

m 
D 
O 

C 

r 
o 
c 

I 

o 
o 

r 
> 

z 
o 


S 


Diseases  of  Cattle. 


PLATE  XXXVII. 


mmmr.- 


*     wire  ,•' 


^m.,r 


-0  ■ 


. 


VS         :L    ! 


' 


Tuberculosis  of  the- Omentum  (Caul.) 


INFECTIOUS  DISEASES   OF   CATTLE.  417 

3.  That  tuberculin  has  no  injurious  effect  upon  healthy  cattle. 

4.  That  the  comparatively  small  number  of  cattle  which  have 
aborted,  suffered  in  health,  or  fallen  off  in  condition  after  the  tuber- 
culin test  were  either  diseased  before  the  test  was  made  or  were 
affected  by  some  cause  other  than  the  tuberculin. 

SUMMARY   OF  DIRECTIONS   FOR  MAKING  THE  TUBERCULIN  TEST. 

1.  Stable  cattle  under  usual  conditions  and  among  usual  surround- 
ings, feed  and  water  in  the  customary  manner. 

2.  Make  a  physical  examination  of  each  animal,  and  give  to  each 
one  some  designation  by  which  the  animal  will  be  known  throughout 
the  test. 

3.  Take  each  animal's  temperature  at  least  three  times  at  two  or 
three  hour  intervals  on  the  day  of  injection ;  for  instance,  at  2,  5, 
and  8  p.  m. 

4.  At  8  or  10  p.  m.  inject  a  dose  of  tuberculin  under  the  skin  in  the 
region  of  the  shoulder,  using  a  sterile  hypodermic  syringe  after  dis- 
infecting the  skin  at  the  seat  of  injection  with  a  5  per  cent  solution  of 
carbolic  acid  or  a  similar  antiseptic  solution. 

5.  Tuberculin  is  not  always  concentrated  to  the  same  degree  and 
therefore  the  dose,  whAch  should  always  appear  on  the  label,  varies 
considerably.  The  dose  of  imported  tuberculin  is  0.25  c.  c.  for  an 
adult  cow,  and  before  injection  is  diluted  with  sterile  water  to  2  c.  c. 
The  tuberculin  made  by  the  Bureau  of  Animal  Industry  is  prepared 
so  that  it  will  not  be  necessary  to  dilute  it,  and  the  dose  is  2  c.  c.  for 
an  adult  animal.  Yearlings  and  2-year-olds,  according  to  size,  should 
receive  from  1  to  1|  c.  c,  while  bulls  and  very  large  animals  may 
receive  3  c.  c. 

6.  The  next  day,  at  6  a.m.,  commence  taking  temperatures,  and  con- 
tinue every  two  or  three  hours  until  the  twentieth  hour  after  injection, 
at  which  time  if  there  is  no  tendency  for  the  temperature  to  rise  the 
test  may  cease. 

7.  A  rise  of  two  or  more  degrees  Fahrenheit  above  the  maximum 
temperature  observed  on  the  previous  day,  providing  this  temperature 
exceeds  103.8°  F.,  should  be  regarded  as  an  indication  of  tuberculosis. 
Those  cases  which  approximate  but  do  not  reach  this  standard  should 
be  considered  as  suspicious  and  held  for  a  retest  six  weeks  later, 
giving  double  the  original  dose. 

TREATMENT   OF  TUBERCULOSIS. 

Treatment  of  the  disease  is  not  seriously  considered  by  any  authori- 
ties at  the  present  time. 

The  measures  to  be  adopted  to  prevent  the  spreading  of  the  disease 
61386—08 27 


418  DISEASES   OF   CATTLE. 

must  take  into  consideration  not  only  the  tubercle  bacillus,  but  like- 
wise all  those  circumstances  which  make  cattle  more  susceptible  to 
the  disease  which  have  already  been  dwelt  upon.  It  would  be  useless 
to  repeat  here  all  that  has  been  said  above  on  the  transmission  of 
tubercle  bacilli  from  one  animal  to  another,  and  on  the  dangers  of  cer- 
tain debilitating  influences.  A  careful  study  of  these  will  show  how 
tuberculosis  may,  at  least  in  some  cases,  be  prevented.  Great  care 
should  be  bestowed  upon  the  breeding,  the  surroundings,  and  the 
food  of  the  animal,  so  that  the  latter  may  be  put  into  a  condition  to 
resist  infection  even  when  exposed  to  it.  A  tuberculin  test  should  be 
applied  to  ail  strange  cattle  before  they  are  introduced  into  the  herd, 
and  those  which  show  a  reaction  should  be  refused. 

A  rigid  exclusion  of  tuberculous  animals  is  all  that  is  necessary  to 
prevent  the  appearance  of  the  disease,  provided  cattle  are  not  infected 
by  consumptive  persons  and  animals,  though  it  is  probably  unusual, 
because  the  bacilli  from  man  are,  in  the  majority  of  cases,  attenuated 
and  harmless  for  cattle. 

Tuberculosis  in  cattle  must  also  be  considered  as  bearing  upon 
tuberculosis  of  other  domesticated  animals,  particularly  hogs.  In 
Europe  and  the  United  States  this  disease  is  not  so  uncommon  among 
hogs,  and  appears  to  be  on  the  increase.  The  reason  for  its  existence 
may  be  looked  for  in  the  feeding  of  pigs  with  skim  milk,  buttermilk, 
and  whey  in  dairies,  with  the  offal  of  the  abattoirs,  behind  tuberculous 
cattle,  and  the  household  refuse  generally.  If  tuberculosis  is  com- 
mon among  cattle  it  is  likely  to  be  transmitted  to  hogs  kept  in  this  way. 

The  carcasses  of  animals  which  have  died  of  tuberculosis  should  be 
buried  deeply  so  that  they  can  not  be  eaten  by  other  animals.  This 
is  likewise  true  of  all  organs  or  tissues  of  slaughtered  animals  con- 
taining tubercles.  These  should  never  be  fed  to  other  animals,  such 
as  hogs,  dogs,  and  cats,  and  should  either  be  destroyed  by  fire  or 
deeply  buried. 

When  any  of  the  animals  in  a  herd  of  cattle  show  evident  symp- 
toms of  tuberculosis,  or  when  they  are  proved  to  be  affected  with  this 
disease  by  the  tuberculin  test,  the  best  method  of  procedure  in  most 
cases  is  to  have  the  affected  animals  slaughtered  and  the  stables  dis- 
infected. A  large  proportion  of  the  animals  which  are  slightly  affected 
yield  carcasses  which  are  perfectly  wholesome  and  fit  for  human  food, 
but  in  all  such  cases  there  should  be  an  inspection  by  an  expert  at 
the  time  of  slaughter  to  determine  which  carcasses  may  be  used  and 
which  should  be  destroyed. 

The  disinfection  of  stables  may  be  accomplished  by  thoroughly 
cleaning  them,  scrubbing  the  floors  with  hot  water,  brushing  down  all 
loose  dust  from  the  walls,  and  tearing  off  all  woodwork  which  is  partly 
decayed.  Then  the  whole  interior  of  the  stable  should  be  covered 
witli  a  good  coat  of  lime  wash  containing  1  part  of  formalin  (which  is 
a  40  per  cent  watery  solution  of  formaldehyde)  to  30  parts  of  the  lime 
wash,  or  4  ounces  of  formalin  to  each  gallon  of  lime  wash. 


INFECTIOUS   DISEASES   OF    CATTLE.  419 

Similar  precautions  should  be  observed  iu  removing  the  manure  of 
the  infected  herd  from  the  barnyard  and  other  places  accessible  to 
cattle,  since  it  is  known  that  tuberculous  cattle  frequently  eliminate 
large  numbers  of  tubercle  bacilli  from  their  bodies  through  the  feces. 
The  ground  under  the  manure  pile  could  then  be  disinfected  either 
by  applying  the  above-mentioned  formalin  solution  or  unslaked  lime 
thickly  sprinkled  over  the  soil. 

If  all  the  animals  which  react  are  destroyed  and  the  stables  dis- 
infected in  this  manner,  the  herd  should  remain  free  from  the  disease 
unless  other  affected  animals  are  added  to  it.  The  introduction  of 
the  disease  in  this  manner  may  be  avoided  by  requiring  a  tuberculin 
test  of  all  new  animals  admitted  on  the  premises. 

It  is  unfortunately  a  fact  that  animals  with  tuberculosis  which  have 
been  tested  several  times  may  become  so  accustomed  to  tuberculin 
that  they  will  no  longer  react ;  consequently  it  is  always  advisable  to 
purchase  cattle  from  some  one  who  is  known  to  be  reliable,  as  other- 
wise tubercular  animals  may  be  treated  with  tuberculin  for  the  pur- 
pose of  hiding  the  disease. 

In  the  case  of  very  valuable  thoroughbred  animals  it  may  be  more 
advantageous  to  retain  the  reacting  animals  which  are  in  good  con- 
dition, in  order  to  breed  from  them,  and  in  that  manner  avoid  the 
excessive  loss  which  would  follow  from  their  immediate  slaughter. 
This  may  be  done  safely  if  proper  precautions  are  adopted.  The 
healthy  animals  should  be  separated  from  the  diseased  ones,  and  the 
stable  in  which  the  diseased  animals  have  been  should  be  frequently 
disinfected.  When  calves  are  dropped  by  the  tubercular  cows  they 
should  be  immediately  removed,  or  at  least  not  allowed  to  drink  the 
mother's  milk  more  than  once  or  twice,  and  after  that  fed  upon  the 
milk  of  healthy  cows.  The  milk  from  the  animals  which  have  reacted 
should  not  be  used  until  after  it  has  been  boiled  and  the  tubercle 
bacilli  thus  destroyed.  The  young  animals  which  are  raised  from 
tubercular  dams  should  be  tested  when  they  are  about  six  months 
old,  and  all  of  those  which  react  should  be  immediately  slaughtered. 
It  has  been  found  that  by  following  the  plan  suggested  above  not 
more  than  1  or  2  per  cent  of  the  calves  will  develop  tuberculosis.  It 
is  of  course  some  trouble  to  follow  this  method,  but  it  enables  the 
owner  of  a  purebred  herd  to  retain  the  strains  of  blood  which  he  has 
been  breeding  and  gradually  to  eliminate  the  disease.  At  the  end  of 
six  or  eight  years  he  should  have  a  herd  of  cattle  free  from  tubercu- 
losis and  be  prepared  to  destroy  all  of  those  which  have  reacted. 

BOVINE  TUBERCULOSIS  AND  THE  PUBLIC  HEALTH. 

The  increasing  amount  of  evidence  pointing  to  the  identity  of 
human  and  animal  tuberculosis,  combined  with  the  extraordinary 


420  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

mortality  of  human  beings  from  this  disease,  often  amounting  to  10 
to  14  per  cent,  has  raised  the  question  in  all  civilized  countries  as 
to  how  far  animal,  and  especially  bovine,  tuberculosis  was  to  blame 
for  this  high  mortality.  The  medical  and  veterinary  professions  have 
approached  this  problem  with  equal  zeal,  and  much  has  come  to  light 
within  recent  years  which  enables  us  to  come  to  some  conclusion.  If 
this  disease  is  transmitted  from  animals  to  man,  how  does  the  trans- 
mission take  place?  As  comparatively  few  people  come  in  direct 
contact  with  tuberculous  cattle,  it  must  be  either  through  the  meat, 
the  milk,  the  butter,  the  cheese,  or  through  all  of  these  products  that 
the  virus  enters  the  human  body.  The  question  has  thus  narrowed 
itself  down  to  the  food  products  furnished  by  cattle. 

It  has  become  a  very  urgent  question,  especially  in  the  poorer  coun- 
tries of  Europe,  whether  all  flesh  from  tuberculous  animals  is  unfit  for 
human  food.  It  is  argued  there  that  if  it  can  be  shown  that  in  the 
majority  of  cases  of  tuberculosis  the  bones  and  the  muscular  system 
are  free  from  infection,  there  is  no  reason  why  the  meat  should  not 
be  put  on  sale  under  certain  restrictions.  The  question  may  be 
resolved  into  two  divisions:  (1)  How  frequently  does  the  disease 
invade  those  parts  of  the  body  which  are  used  as  food?  (2)  AVhen  the 
disease  process  is  manifestly  restricted  to  the  internal  organs  do 
tubercle  bacilli  circulate  in  the  blood  and  lymph?  and  can  they  be 
detected  in  the  muscular  tissue? 

(1)  Disease  of  the  bones  is  not  unknown,  although  very  rare. 
According  to  Walley  it  appears  chiefly  in  the  spongy  bones  of  the 
head  and  backbone  and  in  the  long  bones  of  the  limbs.  Occasionally 
the  ends  of  the  bones,  where  they  are  covered  by  the  synovial  mem- 
brane of  the  joints,  are  dotted  with  tubercles.  The  muscular  system 
itself  is  very  rarely  the  seat  of  tubercular  deposits,  although  the 
lymphatic  glands  lying  near  and  among  the  muscles  may  be  not  infre- 
quently diseased. 

(2)  Whether  tubercle  bacilli  are  found  in  muscle  juice  independent 
of  any  tubercular  deposits  is  a  question  which  must  be  approached 
experimentally.  There  is  on  record  a  great  variety  of  opinions  on 
this  matter,  some  authorities  considering  all  flesh  from  tuberculous 
animals  unfit  for  food,  while  others  hold  a  contrary  view.  Experi- 
ments have  shown  that  in  rare  cases  the  flesh  of  tuberculous  cattle 
contains  a  small  number  of  tubercle  bacilli.  In  Germany  the  flesh  of 
animals  in  which  the  disease  is  just  beginning,  or  in  which  it  is 
restricted  to  one  or  more  related  organs,  is  not  rejected.  When, 
however,  the  disease  has  affected  the  muscles,  or  bones,  or  lymphatic 
glands  situated  on  or  between  them,  the  flesh  is  condemned  as  unfit 
and  dangerous.  Animals  are  also  rejected  in  which  it  is  evident, 
from  the  general  distribution  of  tubercles  throughout  the  various 
organs,  that  the  bacilli  have  been  distributed  by  the  blood  and  may 
have  been  carried  into  the  muscular  system  (generalized  tuberculosis). 


INFECTIOUS   DISEASES   OP    CATTLE.  421 

Concerning  the  infectious  nature  of  milk  secreted  by  tuberculous 
cows,  authorities  have  universally  agreed  that  when  the  udder  itself 
is  in  the  slightest  degree  involved  the  milk  possesses  infectious 
properties,  and  is  therefore  dangerous.  Tubercle  bacilli  have  been 
found  in  large  numbers  in  the  milk  and  the  udder  under  such  cir- 
cumstances. Unlike  other  affections  of  the  udder,  tuberculosis  of 
this  organ  does  not  at  once  change  the  appearance  and  the  quality  of 
the  milk  secreted.  Bang  states  that  for  at  least  a  month  after  the 
disease  has  appeared  the  milk  is  normal  in  appearance  and  may  be 
consumed  and  sold  without  arousing  the  suspicion  of  the  owner. 
There  is,  therefore,  considerable  danger  involved  in  this  disease,  and 
the  necessity  for  the  careful  inspection  of  dairy  cows  seems  more 
urgent  than  ever  before. 

Authorities  are,  however,  not  fully  agreed  as  to  whether  the  milk 
from  tuberculous  cows  in  which  the  udder  is  apparently  not  invaded 
by  the  disease  should  be  considered  dangerous  or  not.  Some  are 
inclined  to  believe  that  the  milk  secreted  by  healthy  udders  is  never 
infectious,  even  when  the  lungs  or  other  organs  are  affected;  that, 
in  other  words,  the  tubercle  bacilli  are  rarely,  if  ever,  separated  from 
the  lesions  which  they  produce,  and  that  the  udder  itself  must  be 
diseased  before  tubercle  bacilli  can  appear  in  the  milk.  Experi- 
ments made  with  the  milk  of  tuberculous  cows  in  which  there  were 
no  indications  of  udder  disease  do  not  bear  out  this  theory,  since 
tubercle  bacilli  have  been  found  in  the  milk  of  such  cows.  Some 
authorities  still  believe  that  the  udder  is  diseased  when  the  milk  is 
infected,  but  that  the  disease  escapes  observation.  However  this  may 
be,  the  fact  that  the  udder  may  be  diseased  and  the  disease  not  rec- 
ognizable, simply  casts  suspicion  upon  all  milk  from  tuberculous 
animals.  We  know  that  the  milk  of  tuberculous  cattle  may  or  may 
not  contain  tubercle  bacilli  when  the  udder  is  apparently  free  from 
disease.  But  we  have  no  rapid  method  of  determining  whether,  in 
any  given  case,  the  milk  contains  tubercle  bacilli  or  not.  Moreover, 
the  bacilli  may  be  absent  at  one  time  and  present  at  another  in  milk 
from  the  same  cow.  When  we  consider,  therefore,  the  extent  of  tuber- 
culosis and  the  hidden  character  of  the  disease,  a  certain  amount  of 
suspicion  rests  upon  all  milk.  Fortunately  tubercle  bacilli  are  readily 
destroyed  by  the  temperature  of  boiling  water,  and  hence  both  meat 
and  milk  are  made  entirely  safe,  the  former  by  the  various  processes 
of  cooking,  the  latter  by  boiling  for  a  few  moments.  Until  better 
means  of  diagnosis  are  at  hand  it  is  incumbent  upon  all  communities 
to  have  dairy  cows  examined  or  inspected,  at  least  to  the  extent  of 
finding  out  whether  the  udder  shows  any  signs  of  disease.  If  this  is 
detected,  the  affected  animal  should  be  killed  at  once,  or  else  all 
opportunity  for  the  sale  of  such  milk  removed  by  appropriate  meas- 
ures. The  dangers  from  infected  milk  might  by  these  means  be  very 
materially  lessened. 


422  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

Recently  there  has  been  much  discussion  of  the  question  as  to 
whether  human  and  animal  tuberculosis  are  identical  diseases  and 
as  to  the  possibility  of  the  tuberculosis  of  animals  being  transmitted 
to  man  or  that  of  man  being  transmitted  to  animals. 

The  fact  that  tubercular  material  from  human  subjects  often  failed 
to  produce  serious  disease  in  cattle  was  observed  by  a  number  of  the 
earlier  investigators  who  experimented  with  such  virus.  It  was  the 
experiments  and  comparative  studies  of  Theobald  Smith,  however, 
which  attracted  special  attention  to  the  difference  in  virulence  shown 
by  tubercle  bacilli  from  human  and  bovine  sources  when  inoculated 
upon  cattle.  Smith  mentioned  also  certain  morphological  and  cul- 
tural differences  in  bacilli  from  these  two  sources,  and  in  the  location 
and  histology  of  the  lesions  in  cattle  produced  by  such  bacilli.  He  did 
not  conclude,  however,  that  bovine  bacilli  could  not  produce  disease 
in  the  human  subject,  but  said : 

It  seems  to  me  that,  accepting  the  clinical  evidence  on  hand,  bovine  tuberculosis 
may  be  transmitted  to  children  when  the  body  is  overpowered  by  large  numbers 
of  bacilli,  as  in  udder  tuberculosis,  or  when  certain  unknown  favorable  conditions 
exist. 

Koch,  however,  in  his  address  at  the  British  Congress  on  Tubercu- 
losis, went  far  beyond  this  and  maintained  that  "human  tuberculosis 
differs  from  bovine  and  can  not  be  transmitted  to  cattle."  As  to  the 
susceptibility  of  man  to  bovine  tuberculosis,  he  said  it  was  not  yet 
absolutely  decided,  but  one  was  "nevertheless  already  at  liberty  to 
say  that,  if  such  a  susceptibility  really  exists,  the  infection  of  human 
beings  is  but  a  very  rare  occurrence."  He  emphasized  this  view  in 
the  following  language : 

I  should  estimate  the  extent  of  infection  by  the  milk  and  flesh  of  tubercular 
cattle  and  the  butter  made  of  their  milk  as  hardly  greater  than  that  of  hereditary 
transmission,  and  I  therefore  do  not  deem  it  advisable  to  take  any  measures 
against  it. 

This  conclusion  was  so  radically  different  from  the  views  of  most 
experimenters  and  so  out  of  harmony  with  facts  which  had  apparently 
been  demonstrated  by  others  that  it  at  once  aroused  opposition  in  the 
congress,  followed  by  the  adoption  of  dissenting  resolutions,  and  led 
to  numerous  investigations  in  various  countries.  Koch's  conclusions 
were  based  upon  his  failure  to  produce  tuberculosis  in  cattle  and  other 
animals  by  inoculating  them  with  tubercular  material  of  human  origin, 
and  his  success  in  causing  progressive  and  fatal  tuberculosis  in  the 
same  kinds  of  animals  when  inoculated  with  tubercular  material  of 
bovine  origin.  With  such  positiveness  did  he  hold  to  the  constant 
and  specific  difference  between  the  human  and  bovine  bacillus  that  he 
promulgated  an  experimental  method  of  discriminating  between  them. 
Speaking  of  the  etiology  of  intestinal  tuberculosis  in  man,  he  said : 

Hitherto  nobody  could  decide  with  certainty  in  such  a  case  whether  the  tuber- 
culosis of  the  intestine  was  of  human  or  of  animal  origin.    Now  we  can  diagnose 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  423 

theni.  All  that  is  necessary  is  to  cultivate  in  pure  culture  the  tubercle  bacilli 
found  in  the  tubercular  material,  and  to  ascertain  whether  they  belong  to  bovine 
tuberculosis  by  inoculating  cattle  with  them.  For  this  purpose  I  recommend 
subcutaneous  injection,  which  yields  quite  specially  characteristic  and  convincing 
results. 

These  important  and  comprehensive  conclusions  followed  from  a 
comparatively  few  experiments  upon  animals,  and  apparently  no  effort 
had  been  made  to  learn  to  what  extent  human  tubercle  bacilli  might 
differ  in  their  virulence  for  cattle  or  what  grades  of  virulence  there 
might  be  among  bacilli  of  bovine  origin.  Vagedes  had  already  shown 
that  bacilli  were  sometimes  present  in  human  lesions  which  were  as 
virulent  as  bovine  bacilli,  but  his  work  was  wholly  ignored  by  Koch. 

A  considerable  number  of  investigators,  including  Chauveau, 
Vagedes,  Ravenel,  de  Schweinitz,  Mohler,  De  Jong,  Delepine,  Orth, 
Stenstrdm,  Fibiger  and  Jensen,  Max  Wolff,  Nocard,  Arloing,  Behring, 
Dean  and  Todd,  Hamilton  and  Young,  the  German  Tuberculosis 
Commission,  and  Theobald  Smith,  have  found  tubercle  bacilli  in  the 
bodies  of  human  beings  that  died  of  tuberculosis,  which  proved  to 
have  about  the  same  virulence  for  cattle  as  had  the  bacilli  from 
bovine  animals  affected  by  the  disease. 

Kossel,  in  a  preliminary  report,  stated  that  the  German  commission 
had  tested  7  cultures  of  tuberculosis  from  cattle  and  hogs — 4  from 
cattle  and  3  from  hogs.  Two  of  these  cultures  proved  acutely  fatal 
in  cattle  after  eight  to  nine  weeks;  4  of  the  cultures  likewise  pro- 
duced a  generalized  tuberculosis,  but  which  certainly  had  a  more 
chronic  course,  while  1  of  the  cultures  caused  only  an  infiltration 
at  the  point  of  inoculation,  with  some  caseous  foci  in  the  adjoining 
prescapular  gland  and  in  one  of  the  mediastinal  glands,  and  there 
was  lacking  the  spreading  of  the  tuberculosis  over  the  entire  body, 
which  they  were  accustomed  to  see  after  the  injection  of  cultures  of 
bovine  tuberculosis.  "Hence,"  says  Kossel,  "among  bovine  tuber- 
culosis bacilli  there  can  also  occur  differences  with  regard  to  the 
virulence." 

The  German  commission  also  tested  39  different  freshly  made  cul- 
tures from  tuberculous  disease  in  man.  Nineteen  of  these  cultures 
did  not  produce  the  slightest  symptoms  in  cattle;  with  9  others  the 
cattle  exhibited  after  four  months  very  minute  foci  in  the  prescapu- 
lar glands,  which  were  mostly  encapsuled  and  showed  no  inclination 
to  progress;  with  7  other  cases  there  was  somewhat  more  marked 
disease  of  the  prescapular  glands,  but  it  did  not  go  so  far  as  a  mate- 
rial spreading  of  the  process  to  the  glands  next  adjoining.  There  were 
4  cultures,  however,  which  were  more  virulent  and  caused  generalized 
tuberculosis  in  the  cattle  inoculated  with  them. 

It  would  appear,  therefore,  that  hereafter  everyone  must  admit  that 
it  is  impossible  always  to  tell  the  source  of  a  culture  of  the  tubercle 
bacillus  by  its  effects  when  it  is  inoculated  upon  cattle.  One  of  the 
bovine  cultures  failed  to  produce  generalized  tuberculosis  in  cattle, 


424  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

and  some  of  the  human  cultures  did  produce  this  form  of  the  disease 
in  such  animals.  Moreover,  while  some  of  the  human  cultures  caused 
no  disease  at  all,  others  led  to  the  development  of  minute  foci  in  the 
prescapular  glands,  and  still  others  to  somewhat  more  marked  disease 
of  these  glands.  There  were,  consequently,  four  degrees  of  virulence 
noted  in  these  39  cultures  of  bacilli  from  human  sources  and  three 
degrees  of  virulence  in  the  7  cultures  from  animal  sources. 

Now,  if  we  accept  the  views  of  Koch  as  to  the  specific  difference 
between  human  and  bovine  tubercle  bacilli,  and  that  the  human  bacilli 
produce  only  localized  lesions  in  cattle,  while  bovine  bacilli  produce 
generalized  lesions  in  these  animals,  must  we  not  conclude  that  the 
one  nonvirulent  bovine  culture  was  in  reality  of  human  origin,  and 
that  the  animal  from  which  it  was  obtained  had  been  infected  from 
man?  This  is  a  logical  deduction,  but  reverses  the  dictum  laid  down 
at  London  that  human  tuberculosis  is  not  transmissible  to  cattle. 
Again,  how  are  we  to  explain  the  human  cultures  of  medium  virulence? 
Are  they  human  bacilli  which,  for  some  unknown  reason,  are  increas- 
ing in  virulence  and  approaching  the  activity  of  the  bovine  bacillus? 
Or  are  they  really  bovine  bacilli  which  have  multiplied  in  the  human 
body  until  their  virulence  has  become  attenuated?  In  whatever 
manner  these  questions  are  decided  it  would  seem  that  the  findings  of 
the  German  commission,  instead  of  supporting  Koch's  views  that  we 
can  decide  with  certainty  by  the  inoculation  of  cattle  as  to  the  source 
of  any  given  bacillus,  really  show  that  this  method  of  diagnosis  is 
extremely  uncertain  in  the  present  condition  of  our  knowledge. 

It  is  definitely  admitted  that  4  of  the  human  cultures  caused  gen- 
eralized tuberculosis  in  cattle;  but  Kossel  suggests  that  it  might  be 
possible  that  the  bacilli  in  cases  of  human  tuberculosis  under  certain 
circumstances  could  likewise  attain  a  very  high  pathogenic  activity 
for  cattle  without  being  for  that  reason  bovine  bacilli.  Undoubtedly 
the  German  commission  is  confronting  the  two  horns  of  a  dilemma, 
either  one  of  which  is  fatal  to  the  views  of  Koch  as  stated  with  such 
positiveness  at  London.  If  we  accept  this  suggestion  thrown  out  by 
Kossel,  we  must  conclude  that  Koch  was  wrong  in  his  claim  that 
human  tuberculosis  can  not  be  transmitted  to  cattle,  and  thus  with 
one  blow  we  destroy  the  entire  experimental  support  which  he  had  for 
his  argument  before  the  British  Congress  on  Tuberculosis.  And  if, 
on  the  other  hand,  we  accept  the  conclusion  which  follows  from  the 
principle  laid  down  by  Koch  for  the  discrimination  between  human 
and  bovine  bacilli,  and  which  appears  to  be  favored  by  Kossel,  we 
must  admit  that  bovine  tuberculosis  is  an  extremely  important  factor 
in  the  etiology  of  human  tuberculosis.  Of  the  39  cases  of  human 
tuberculosis  tested,  4,  or  over  10  per  cent,  were  virulent  for  cattle 
and  would  be  classified  as  of  bovine  origin;  but  these  4  cases  were  all 
found  among  the  16  cases  of  tuberculosis  in  children  which  the  com- 
mission investigated;  hence  it  is  plain  that  25  per  cent  of  the  cases 


INFECTIOUS   DISEASES   OF    CATTLE.  425 

tested  of  tuberculosis  in  children  would  by  Koch's  method  be  classified 
as  of  bovine  origin. 

In  the  Bureau  of  Animal  Industry  two  distinct  lines  of  experiments 
have  been  carried  on,  in  order  that  one  might  serve  as  a  check  against 
the  other.  There  has  been,  however,  no  discrepancy  in  the  results. 
De  Schweinitz,  in  the  Biochemic  Division,  Bureau  of  Animal  Indus- 
try, has  isolated  9  cultures  from  human  tuberculosis.  Two  of  these 
were  derived  from  human  sputum,  3  from  cases  of  generalized  tuber- 
culosis in  adults,  and  4  from  cases  of  generalized  tuberculosis  in  chil- 
dren. By  comparing  these  cultures  with  a  newly  isolated  virulent 
culture  of  bovine  tuberculosis,  there  were  found  among  them  2  cultures 
from  children  which  were  identical  in  their  cultural  and  morphological 
characters  with  the  bovine  bacillus.  These  cultures  also  killed  rabbits 
and  guinea  pigs  in  as  short  a  time  as  did  the  bovine  bacillus.  Hogs 
which  were  inoculated  subcutaneously  with  these  2  cultures  from  chil- 
dren died  of  generalized  tuberculosis.  Two  calves  weighing  over  300 
pounds  each  were  inoculated  subcutaneously  with  these  virulent  human 
cultures,  and  as  a  result  developed  generalized  tuberculosis.  A  year- 
ling heifer  inoculated  with  1  of  the  cultures  showed  generalized  tuber- 
culosis when  killed  three  months  after  inoculation.  Both  the  cattle 
and  the  hogs  had  been  tested  with  tuberculin  and  found  to  be  free 
from  tuberculosis  before  the  inoculations  were  made.  It  is  important 
to  observe  in  this  connection  that  2  out  of  4,  or  50  per  cent,  of  the 
cultures  obtained  from  cases  of  generalized  tuberculosis  in  children 
proved  virulent  for  cattle. 

Mohler,  working  in  the  Pathological  Division,  Bureau  of  Animal 
Industry,  has  obtained  3  very  virulent  cultures  of  tubercle  bacilli 
from  the  human  subject.  A  goat  inoculated  subcutaneously  with  1 
of  these  cultures  died  in  thirty-seven  days  with  miliary  tuberculosis  of 
the  lungs  involving  the  axillary  and  prescapular  glands.  This  bacillus 
was  obtained  from  the  mesenteric  gland  of  a  boy.  Of  still  greater 
interest  is  a  bacillus  isolated  by  Mohler  from  human  sputum.  A  goat 
inoculated  subcutaneously  with  a  culture  of  this  germ  died  in  ninety- 
five  days  of  pulmonary  tuberculosis.  A  cat  inoculated  in  the  same 
manner  died  in  twenty-three  days  of  generalized  tuberculosis.  A 
rabbit  similarly  inoculated  died  in  fifty-nine  days  of  pulmonary 
tuberculosis.  Another  rabbit  inoculated  with  a  bovine  culture  for 
comparison  lived  ten  days  longer  than  the  one  inoculated  with  this 
sputum  germ.  Mohler  also  inoculated  subcutaneously  a  1 -year-old 
heifer  with  a  culture  derived  from  the  tubercular  mesenteric  gland  of 
a  boy  4  years  of  age.  This  culture  was  always  refractory  in  its  growth 
under  artificial  conditions,  and  the  bacilli  were  short,  stubby  rods, 
corresponding  in  appearance  with  the  bovine  type.  At  the  autopsy, 
held  one  hundred  and  twenty-seven  days  after  the  inoculation,  the 
general  condition  was  seen  to  be  poor  and  unthrifty,  and  large,  hard 
tumors  were  found  at  the  points  of  inoculation.     On  the  right  side 


426  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

the  swelling  measured  3£  by  5  inches,  and  the  corresponding  lymph 
gland  was  2f  inches  long  by  If  inches  in  diameter.  This  gland  con- 
tained numerous  calcareous  foci;  one  of  these  at  the  apex  was  an 
inch  in  diameter.  The  lesions  on  the  left  shoulder  of  the  animal  were 
very  similar  to  those  found  on  the  right  side,  but  the  dimensions  of 
the  tumor  were  slightly  less.  The  lungs  presented  an  irregular  mass 
of  tubercular  nodules,  and  7  or  8  grape-like  nodules  were  seen  on  the 
parietal  pleura.     Bronchial  and  mediastinal  lymph  glands  contained 

TUBERCULOSIS. 

[Description  of  plates.] 

Plate  XXXIV.  Tuberculosis  of  the  lungs.  The  upper  figures  represent  a  large 
cheesy  mass,  surrounded  by  a  capsule  of  connective  tissue,  the  whole  embedded 
in  healthy  lung  tissue.  The  lower  figure  illustrates  in  section  a  mass  of  tubercles 
which  have  undergone  cheesy  degeneration,  and  some  of  which  are  surrounded 
by  dense  connective  tissue. 

Plate  XXXV.  Tuberculosis  of  the  liver.  A  large  portion  of  the  lobe  repre- 
sented in  the  plate  has  undergone  tuberculous  changes.  Numerous  nodules  are 
shown  in  various  stages  of  the  disease,  the  majority  of  which,  however,  contain 
the  yellowish,  partly  cheesy,  partly  gritty  areas  characteristic  of  advanced  tuber- 
culous degeneration.  This  large  mass  involves  the  surface  of  the  liver,  and  also 
extends  into  the  liver  substance. 

Plate  XXXVI.  A  lymph  gland  from  the  region  of  the  thorax  behind  or  above 
the  esophagus,  or  gullet  (posterior,  or  dorsal,  mediastinum).  The  gland  is  shown 
cut  through  and  laid  open.  It  is  very  much  enlarged,  and  the  yellowish  cheesy 
masses  which  represent  tissue  undergoing  tuberculous  changes  are  well  shown  on 
the  cut  surface. 

Plate  XXXVII.  Represents  the  omentum,  or  caul,  of  a  tuberculous  cow.  The 
preparation  had  been  in  alcohol  for  some  time.  The  projecting  masses  are  the 
tubercles,  whence  the  name  "pearly  disease"  for  that  form  of  the  malady  in 
which  these  tubercles  are  present.  They  are  mainly  restricted  to  the  lining 
membrane  of  the  thorax  and  abdomen. 

Plate  XXXVIII.  Fig.  1.  Lymphatic  gland  of  the  mesentery  (the  fold  of  mem- 
brane to  which  the  small  intestines  are  attached)  cut  open.  The  gland  is  very 
much  enlarged.  The  yellowish  portions  represent  tissue  which  has  undergone 
tuberculous  changes. 

Fig.  2.  Omentum,  or  caul,  resting  upon  the  paunch.  The  reddish  nodules  with 
which  the  membrane  is  beset  are  tubercles,  the  product  of  the  disease.  Both 
specimens  are  from  the  same  animal,  a  Jersey  cow. 

Plate  XXXIX.  Fig.  1.  Tuberculosis  of  the  sirloin  and  porterhouse  cuts  of  beef. 
The  grape-like  tuberculous  growths  are  mainly  restricted  to  the  lining  membrane 
of  the  abdomen. 

Fig.  2.  Tuberculosis  of  the  pleura  of  cow,  so-called  "pearly  disease."  Notice 
the  grape-like  clusters  of  tubercular  nodules  scattered  over  the  lining  membrane 
of  the  chest  (pleura). 

Plate  XL.  Tuberculosis  of  a  cow's  udder  which  appeared  uniformly  swollen 
and  quite  firm.  Small  cheesy  foci  and  yellowish  lines  of  tuberculous  material 
follow  the  course  of  the  milk  ducts.  The  mucous  membrane  of  the  milk  cistern 
(a)  is  ulcerated  and  covered  with  yellowish  cheesy  particles.  The  supramammary 
lymphatic  gland  (b)  is  greatly  enlarged  and  contains  many  miliary  tubercular 
foci. 


Diseases  of  Cattle 


Plate  xxxv  in 


I-ie.l 


Fig.  2 


Haines  del. 


Tuberculosis  of  Lymphatic  Gland 
and  of  Omentum   (Caul.! 


JS  BIEN  £   CO  I 


Diseases  of  Cattle. 


Plate  XXXIX. 


Fig.  1.— Tuberculosis  of  the  Sirloin  and  Porterhouse  Cuts 
of  Beef. 


Fig.  2.— Tuberculosis  of  Pleura  of  Cow— So-called  Pearly 
Disease. 


Diseases  of  Cattle 


Plate  xl 


Haines  del 


Tuberculous  Udder  of  Cow. 


JULIUS  UIFISi  A    CO.  N.I 


INFECTIOUS   DISEASES   OF    CATTLE.  427 

numerous  tubercular  foci,  and  the  pericardium,  peritoneum,  spleen, 
and  liver  were  also  affected. 

In  order  to  throw  some  light,  if  possible,  upon  the  morphological 
constancy  of  the  different  types  of  tubercle  bacilli,  Mohler  has  made 
comparative  studies  of  bacilli  from  various  sources,  and  which  had 
been  passed  through  various  species  of  animals,  by  making  the  cul- 
tures upon  dog  serum  after  the  method  described  by  Theobald  Smith. 
Some  important  results  have  been  obtained.  One  culture  of  human 
bacilli  which  had  morphological  and  cultural  peculiarities  similar  to 
those  of  the  bovine  bacillus,  and  which  only  produced  local  lesions  in 
cattle,  was  passed  through  a  series  cf  five  cats.  It  was  then  found  to 
be  completely  changed  in  its  morphological  characters,  the  rods  being 
elongated,  slender,  more  or  less  beaded,  and  entirely  of  the  human 
type.  But  far  from  decreasing  in  virulence,  as  might  be  expected 
from  its  morphological  appearance,  this  bacillus  had  so  increased  in 
its  pathogenic  activity  that  it  now  produced  generalized  tuberculosis 
in  a  cow.  This  cow  was  inoculated  subcutaneously  in  front  of  each 
shoulder  with  2  c.  c.  of  a  salt  solution  emulsion  of  the  tuberculous 
omentum  of  the  last  cat  of  the  series.  The  cow  rapidly  lost  flesh, 
had  a  temperature  of  104°  F.,  with  the  point  of  inoculation  and  adja- 
cent glands  greatly  swollen.  The  autopsy  revealed  generalized  tuber- 
culosis, involving  the  lungs,  mediastinal  glands,  spleen,  liver,  and 
kidneys.  Tubercle  bacilli  of  the  bovine  type  obtained  from  the 
mesenteric  glands  of  a  sheep,  hog,  and  cow  were  similarly  trans- 
formed in  their  morphological  appearance  after  being  passed  through 
a  series  of  cats  and  recovered  on  dog  serum.  These  bacilli  also 
increased  in  virulence,  as  the  last  cat  in  the  series  invariably  suc- 
cumbed in  a  shorter  time  than  the  first  of  the  series. 

These  experiments  and  observations  indicate  that  the  types  of 
tubercle  bacilli  are  very  inconstant,  and  that  under  suitable  condi- 
tions they  readily  change  both  in  morphology  and  in  virulence.  A 
similar  conclusion  was  reached  by  other  investigators  in  working 
with  the  avian  and  piscine  types  of  tubercle  bacilli  several  years  ago, 
and  was  reasonably  to  have  been  expected  with  the  human  and  bovine 
types. 

It  must  be  plain  to  all,  from  these  recent  developments,  that  too 
much  has  been  made  of  the  slight  differences  in  cultural  character- 
istics, in  morphology,  and  in  virulence  which  have  been  observed  in 
some  cases  in  comparing  the  human  and  the  bovine  bacilli.  The 
observations  were  interesting,  and  it  was  important  that  they  should 
be  followed  up  until  their  significance  was  made  entirely  clear;  but 
it  was  an  almost  unpardonable  error,  from  a  sanitary  point  of  view, 
to  promulgate  sweeping  generalizations  calculated  to  arrest  and 
abolish  important  measures  for  preventing  human  tuberculosis  before 
the  soundness  of  these  generalizations  had  been  established  by  a 
thorough  course  of  experimentation. 

When  Koch  said  in  the  British  Congress  on  Tuberculosis  that  he 


428  DISEASES    OP    CATTLE. 

should  estimate  the  extent  of  infection  by  the  milk  and  flesh  of  tuber- 
cular cattle  and  the  butter  made  of  their  milk  as  hardly  greater  than 
that  of  hereditary  transmission,  and  that  he  therefore  did  not  deem 
it  advisable  to  take  any  measures  against  it,  he  went  far  beyond  what 
was  justified  by  any  experiments  or  observations  which  he  reported, 
and  he  did  an  immense  amount  of  harm,  which  will  be  manifested  for 
years  to  come  to  those  who  endeavor  to  guard  the  human  race  from 
the  dangers  of  animal  tuberculosis.  The  researches  which  have  been 
alluded  to  make  these  dangers  more  definite  and  certain  than  they 
have  appeared  before,  and  sanitarians  should  therefore  most  ear- 
nestly endeavor  to  counteract  the  erroneous  and  harmful  impression 
which  was  made  by  Koch's  address  at  London  and  his  subsequent 
address  at  the  International  Conference  on  Tuberculosis  at  Berlin. 

VARIOLA. 

Variola  of  cattle,  commonly  known  as  "cowpox,"  is  a  contagious 
disease  of  cattle  which  manifests  its  presence  through  an  elevation  of 
temperature,  a  shrinkage  in  milk  production,  and  by  the  appearance 
of  characteristic  pustular  eruptions,  especially  upon  the  teats  and 
udders  of  dairy  cows.  Although  this  is  a  contagious  disease  strictly 
speaking,  it  is  so  universally  harmless  and  benign  in  its  course  that 
it  is  robbed  of  the  terrors  which  usually  accompany  all  spreading  dis- 
eases, and  is  allowed  to  enter  a  herd  of  cattle,  run  its  course,  and  dis- 
appear without  exciting  any  particular  notice. 

The  disease  is  quite  common  in  this  country,  especially  in  the 
eastern  States. 

The  contagion  of  cowpox  does  not  travel  through  the  air  from  animal 
to  animal,  but  is  only  transmitted  by  actual  contact  of  the  contagious 
principle  with  the  skin  of  some  susceptible  animal.  It  may  be  carried 
in  this  manner,  not  alone  from  cattle  to  cattle,  but  horses,  sheep, 
goats,  and  man  may  readily  contract  the  disease  whenever  suitable 
conditions  attend  their  inoculation. 

An  identical  disease  frequently  appears  upon  horses,  attacking  their 
heels,  and  thence  extendiug  upward  along  the  leg,  producing,  as  it 
progresses,  inflammation  and  swelling  of  the  skin,  followed  later  by 
pustules,  which  soon  rupture,  discharging  a  sticky,  disagreeable  secre- 
tion. Other  parts  of  the  body  are  frequently  affected  in  like  manner, 
especially  in  the  region  of  the  head,  where  the  eruptions  may  appear 
upon  lips  and  nostrils,  or  upon  the  mucous  surfaces  of  the  nasal  cav- 
ities, mouth,  or  eyes. 

Variola  of  the  horse  is  readily  transmitted  to  cattle,  if  both  are 
cared  for  by  the  same  attendant,  and,  conversely,  variola  of  cattle  may 
be  carried  from  the  cow  to  the  horse  on  the  hands  of  a  person  who 
has  been  milking  a  cow  affected  with  the  disease. 

The  method  of  vaccination  with  material  derived  from  the  eruptions 
of  cowpox  as  a  safeguard  against  the  ravages  of  smallpox  in  members 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  429 

of  the  human  family  is  well  known.  The  immunity  which  such  vac- 
cination confers  upon  the  human  subject  has  led  many  writers  to 
assert  that  cowpox  is  simply  a  modified  form  of  smallpox,  whose 
harmless  attack  upon  the  human  system  is  due  to  a  certain  attenua- 
tion derived  during  its  passage  through  the  system  of  the  cow  or 
horse.  The  result  of  numerous  experiments,  which  have  been  car- 
ried out  for  the  purpose  of  determining  the  relationship  existing 
between  variola  of  the  human  and  bovine  families,  seems  to  show, 
however,  that  although  possessing  many  similar  characteristics,  they 
are  nevertheless  distinct,  and  that  in  spite  of  repeated  inoculations 
from  cattle  to  man,  and  vice  versa,  no  transformation  in  the  real 
character  of  the  disease  ever  takes  place. 

Symptoms. — The  disease  appears  in  four  to  seven  days  after  natural 
infection,  or  may  evince  itself  in  two  or  three  days  as  the  result  of 
artificial  inoculation.  Young  milch  cows  are  most  susceptible  to  an 
attack,  but  older  cows,  bulls,  or  young  cattle  are  by  no  means  immune. 
The  attack  causes  a  slight  rise  in  temperature,  which  is  soon  followed 
by  the  appearance  of  reddened,  inflamed  areas,  principally  upon  the 
teats  and  udder,  and  at  times  on  the  abdominal  skin  or  the  skin  of 
the  inner  surface  of  the  thighs.  In  a  few  cases  the  skin  of  the  throat 
and  jaws  has  been  found  similarly  involved.  If  the  affected  parts  are 
examined  on  the  second  day  after  the  establishment  of  the  inflamma- 
tion numerous  pale  red  nodules  will  be  found,  which  gradually  expand 
until  they  reach  a  diameter  of  one-half  inch  or  even  larger  within 
a  few  days.  At  this  period  the  tops  of  the  nodules  become  trans- 
formed into  vesicles  which  are  depressed  in  the  center  and  contain  a 
pale  serous  fluid.  They  usually  reach  their  maturity  by  the  tenth 
day  of  the  course  of  the  disease  and  are  then  the  size  of  a  bean. 
From  this  time  the  contents  of  the  vesicles  become  purulent,  which 
requires  about  three  days,  when  the  typical  pox  pustule  is  present, 
consisting  of  a  swelling  with  broad,  reddened  base,  within  which  is  an 
elevated,  conical  abscess  varying  from  the  size  of  a  pea  to  that  of  a 
hazelnut. 

The  course  of  the  disease  after  the  full  maturity  of  the  pustule  is 
rapid  where  outside  interference  has  not  caused  a  premature  rupture 
of  the  small  abscess  at  the  apex  of  the  swelling.  The  pustules  gradu- 
ally become  darker  colored  and  dryer  until  nothing  remains  but  a 
thick  scab,  which  at  last  falls  off,  leaving  only  a  slight  whitish  scar 
behind.  The  total  duration  of  the  disease  covers  some  twenty  days 
in  each  animal,  and,  owing  to  the  slow  spread  of  the  infection  from 
animal  to  animal,  many  weeks  may  elapse  before  a  stable  can  be  fully 
freed  from  it.  The  fallen  scabs  and  crusts  may  retain  their  conta- 
gious properties  for  several  days  when  mixed  with  litter  and  bedding 
upon  the  floor  of  the  stable,  and  during  this  period  they  are  at  any 
time  capable  of  producing  new  outbreaks  should  fresh  cattle  be 
brought  into  the  stalls  and  thus  come  into  actual  contact  with  them. 


430  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

Again,  the  pustules  may  appear,  one  after  another,  on  a  single  animal, 
in  which  case  the  duration  of  the  disease  is  materially  lengthened. 

Treatment — In  herds  of  cattle  that  regularly  receive  careful  han- 
dling, no  special  treatment  will  be  found  necessary  beyond  the  appli- 
cation of  softening  and  disinfecting  agents  to  such  vesicles  upon  the 
teats  as  may  have  become  ruptured  by  the  hands  of  the  milker.  Car- 
bolized  vaseline  or  iodoform  ointment  will  be  found  well  suited  to  this 
work.  In  more  persistent  cases  it  may  be  found  desirable  to  use  a 
milking  tube  in  order  to  prevent  the  repeated  opening  of  the  pustules 
during  the  operation  of  milking.  Washing  the  sores  twice  daily  with 
a  weak  solution  of  zinc  chloride  (2£  per  cent  solution)  has  been  found 
to  assist  in  checking  the  inflammation  and  to  cleanse  and  heal  the 
parts  by  its  germicidal  action.  When  the  udder  is  hard,  swollen,  and 
painful,  support  it  by  a  bandage  and  foment  frequently  with  hot 
water.  If  calves  are  allowed  to  suckle  the  cows  the  pustules  become 
confluent,  and  the  ulcerations  may  extend  up  into  the  teat,  causing 
garget  and  ruining  the  whole  quarter  of  the  udder. 

As  young  cows  are  most  susceptible  to  variola,  the  milker  must 
exercise  constant  patience  with  these  affected  animals  so  long  as  their 
teats  or  udders  are  sore  and  tender,  else  the  patient  may  contract 
vicious  habits  while  resisting  painful  handling.  The  flow  of  milk  is 
usually  lessened  as  soon  as  the  fever  becomes  established,  but  returns 
to  normal  with  the  return  of  perfect  health. 

The  practice  of  thorough  cleanliness  in  handling  or  milking  affected 
cattle  may,  in  many  instances,  prevent  the  dissemination  of  the 
trouble  among  the  healthy  portion  of  the  herd,  but  even  the  greatest 
care  may  prove  insufficient  to  check  the  spread  until  it  has  attacked 
each  animal  of  the  herd  in  turn. 

ACTINOMYCOSIS. 
(Pis.  XLI  to  XLIII,  inclusive.) 

Actinomycosis,  also  known  as  lumpy  jaw,  big  jaw,  wooden  tongue, 
etc.,  is  a  chronic  infectious  disease  characterized  by  the  formation  of 
peculiar  tumors  in  various  regions  of  the  body,  more  particularly  the 
head,  and  due  to  the  specific  action  of  a  certain  fungus  (actinomyces). 
This  fungus  is  an  organism  which  occurs  in  the  tissues  in  the  form 
of  rosettes,  and  it  has  therefore  been  termed  the  "ray  fungus."  The 
disease  is  not  directly  transmitted  from  one  animal  to  another,  but  it 
seems  apparent  that  the  fungus  is  conveyed  into  the  tissues  by  vari- 
ous foodstuffs  through  slight  wounds  of  the  mucous  membrane  of  the 
mouth,  decayed  teeth,  or  during  the  shedding  of  milk  teeth.  The 
ray  fungus  is  found  in  nature  vegetated  on  grasses,  on  the  awns  of 
barley,  the  spears  of  oats,  and  on  other  grains.  Quantities  of  the 
fungi  have  been  found  between  the  vegetable  fibers  of  barley  which 
had  penetrated  the  gums  of  cattle  and  on  the  awns  of  grain  embedded 
in  the  tongues  of  cows. 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  431 

Although  actinomycotic  tumors  on  cattle  had  been  the  object  of 
study  for  many  years,  it  was  not  until  1877  that  the  constant  presence 
of  actinomyces  was  pointed  out  by  Bollinger,  of  Munich,  and  since 
that  time  considered  the  cause.  This  fungus  has  been  observed  in 
these  tumors  as  early  as  1860  by  Rivolta,  and  by  others  subsequently, 
without  having  been  suspected  as  causing  them. 

Since  Bollinger's  publication  a  large  amount  of  work  has  been  done, 
many  observations  made,  and  many  hitherto  obscure  disease  proc- 
esses brought  into  relation  with  this  fungus.  Furthermore,  a  similar 
disease  in  man  was  first  definitely  shown  to  be  associated  with  the 
same  fungus  in  1878  by  Israel,  and  in  the  following  year  Ponfick 
pointed  out  that  the  disease  described  by  Bollinger  in  animals  and 
that  found  by  Israel  in  man  were  due  to  the  same  cause;  that  is,  that 
the  fungi  described  by  these  observers  were  one  and  the  same. 

The  tumors  and  abscesses  wherever  they  may  be  situated  are  all  found 
to  be  the  same  in  origin  by  the  presence  of  the  actinomyces  fungus. 
When  they  are  incised,  a  very  close  scrutiny  with  the  naked  eye,  or  at 
most  a  hand  lens,  will  reveal  the  presence  of  minute  grains  which  vary 
from  a  pale-yellow  to  a  sulphur-yellow  color.  They  may  be  very  abun- 
dant or  so  few  as  to  be  overlooked.  They  are  embedded  in  the  soft 
tissue  composing  the  tumor  or  in  the  pus  of  the  abscess.  With  a  needle 
they  are  easily  lifted  out  from  the  tissue,  and  then  they  appear  as 
roundish  masses  about  one-half  millimeter  (-^  inch)  in  diameter.  To 
anyone  familiar  with  the  use  of  a  microscope  the  recognition  of  these 
grains  or  particles  without  any  previous  preparation  is  a  compara- 
tively easy  task. 

When  examined  in  the  fresh  condition  under  a  microscope  magnify- 
ing up  to  250  diameters  the  general  structure  is  made  out  without 
much  difficulty.  These  grains  consist  of  collections  of  minute  round- 
ish masses.  Their  outer  surface  is  made  up  of  club-shaped  bodies  all 
radiating  from  the  center  of  the  mass  (see  PL  XLI,  fig.  2),  some- 
what like  a  rosette.  If  the  fungus  is  crushed,  the  interior  is  found 
made  up  of  bundles  of  very  fine  filaments,  which  are  probably  con- 
tinuous into  the  club-shaped  bodies.  The  addition  of  a  dilute  solu- 
tion of  caustic  soda  or  potash  greatly  aids  the  examination,  since  it 
removes  the  layer  of  cells  adhering  to  the  fungus,  which  obscures  the 
structure.  Now  and  then  these  grains  are  found  to  be  in  a  calcified 
condition.  The  exterior  is  incrusted  in  lime  salts,  which  are  dis- 
solved by  adding  some  weak  dilute  acid?  like  acetic  acid.  Only  by 
this  procedure  can  the  fungus  be  definitely  recognized  when  in  a  mum- 
mified condition. 

These  are  the  bodies  whose  presence  causes  sufficient  irritation  in 
the  tissues  into  which  they  find  their  way  to  set  up  inflammatory 
growths.  These  growths  increase  as  the  fungus  continues  to  multiply 
until  they  reach  enormous  dimensions,  if  the  affected  animal  is  per- 
mitted to  live  long  enough.     The  true  nature  of  this  parasite  is  not 


432  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

yet  definitely  settled,  although  many  excellent  observers  have  occu- 
pied themselves  with  it.  According  to  earlier  observers  it  is  a  true 
fungus.  Later  ones  are  inclined  to  place  it  among  the  higher  bac- 
teria. Further  investigations  will  be  necessary  to  clear  up  this 
subject. 

Whatever  be  the  situation  of  the  disease  caused  by  actinomyces, 
its  nature  is  fundamentally  the  same  and  peculiar  to  the  fungus. 
The  pathological  details  which  make  this  statement  clear  can  not  be 
entered  upon  in  this  place,  nor  would  they  be  of  any  practical  value 
to  the  farmer.     We  will  simply  dwell  upon  a  few  obvious  characters. 

The  consistency  of  the  tumor  varies  in  different  situations  accord- 
ing to  the  quantity  of  fibrous  or  connective  tissue  present.  When 
very  little  of  this  is  present  the  tumor  is  of  a  very  soft  consistency. 
As  the  quantity  of  connective  tissue  is  increased  the  tumor  is  firmer 
and  of  a  more  honeycombed  appearance.  The  individual  actino- 
myces colonies  are  lodged  in  the  spaces  or  interstices  formed  by  the 
meshwork  of  the  connective  tissue.  There  they  are  surrounded  by 
a  mantle  of  cellular  elements  which  fill  up  the  spaces.  By  scraping 
the  cut  surface  of  such  a  tumor  these  cell  masses  inclosing  the  fungi 
come  away,  and  the  latter  may  be  seen  as  pale-yellow  or  sulphur- 
yellow  specks,  as  described  above. 

Location  of  the  disease.— In  cattle  the  disease  process  may  be  located 
both  externally,  where  it  is  readily  detected,  and  in  internal  organs. 
Its  preferred  seat  is  on  the  bones  of  the  lower  and  upper  jaw,  in  the 
parotid  salivary  gland  in  the  angle  of  the  jaw,  and  in  the  region  of 
the  throat.  It  may  also  appear  under  the  skin  in  different  parts  of 
the  body.  Internally  it  may  attack  the  tongue  and  appear  in  the 
form  of  a  tumor  in  the  mouth,  pharynx,  and  larynx.  It  may  cause 
extensive  disease  of  the  lungs,  more  rarely  of  the  digestive  tract. 

It  appears,  furthermore,  that  in  certain  districts  or  countries  the 
disease  seems  to  attack  by  preference  certain  parts.  Thus  in  Eng- 
land actinomycosis  of  the  tongue  is  most  prevalent.  In  Denmark  the 
soft  parts  of  the  head  are  most  prone  to  disease,  while  in  Russia  the 
lips  are  the  usual  seat.  In  certain  parts  of  Germany  actinomycotic 
tumors  of  the  throat  (pharynx),  in  others  disease  of  the  jawbones,  is 
most  frequently  encountered. 

A  description  of  actinomycosis  of  the  jaw  (lumpy  jaw)  and  of  the 
tongue  has  already  been  given  in  a  previous  chapter,  and  hence  they 
will  be  dealt  with  here  only  very  briefly.  When  the  disease  attacks 
the  soft  parts  of  the  head  a  rather  firm  swelling  appears,  in  which  are 
formed  one  or  more  smaller  projecting  tumors,  varying  from  the  size 
of  a  nut  to  that  of  an  egg.  These  push  their  way  outward  and  finally 
break  through  the  skin  as  small,  reddish,  fungus-like  bodies  covered 
with  thin  sloughs.  Or  the  original  swelling,  in  place  of  enlarging  in 
the  manner  described,  may  become  transformed  into  an  abscess  which 
finally  bursts  to  discharge  creamy  pus.     The  abscess  cavity,  however, 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES   OF    CATTLE.  433 

does  not  disappear,  but  is  soon  filled  with  fungus-like  growths  which 
force  their  way  outward  through  the  opening. 

When  the  tumors  are  situated  within  the  cavity  of  the  pharynx 
they  have  broken  through  from  some  gland,  perhaps  beneath  the 
mucous  membrane,  where  the  disease  first  appeared,  and  hang  or  pro- 
ject into  the  cavity  of  the  pharynx,  either  as  pendulous  masses  with 
a  slender  stem  or  as  tumors  with  a  broad  base.  Their  position  may 
be  such  as  to  interfere  with  swallowing  and  with  breathing.  In  either 
case  serious  symptoms  will  soon  appear. 

The  invasion  of  the  bones  of  the  jaws  by  actinomycosis  must  be 
regarded  as  one  of  the  most  serious  forms  of  the  disease  (Pis.  XLI, 
XLIII,  fig.  1.)  It  may  start  in  the  marrow  of  the  bone  and  by  a  slow 
extension  gradually  undermine  the  entire  thickness  of  the  bone  itself. 
The  growth  may  continue  outward  and  after  working  its  way  through 
muscle  and  skin  finally  break  through  and  appear  externally  as  stink- 
ing fungoid  growths.  The  growth  ma}r  at  the  same  time  work  its  way 
inward  and  appear  in  the  mouth.  The  disease  may  also  begin  in  the 
periosteum,  or  covering  of  the  bone,  and  destroy  the  bone  from  without 
inward. 

Actinomycosis  of  the  lungs  is  occasionally  observed,  and  it  is  not 
improbable  that  it  has  been  mistaken  at  times  for  tuberculosis.  The 
actinomyces  grains  are,  however,  easily  observed  if  the  diseased  tissue 
be  carefully  examined.  The  changes  in  the  lungs  as  they  appear  to 
the  naked  eye  vary  considerably  from  case  to  case.  Thus,  in  one 
animal  the  lungs  were  affected  as  in  ordinary  broncho-pneumonia  as 
to  the  location,  extent,  and  appearance  of  the  disease  process.  The 
affected  lobes  had  a  dark-red  flesh  appearance,  with  yellowish  areas 
sprinkled  in  here  and  there.  (See  PL  XLII,  figs.  1,  2.)  These  latter 
areas  were  the  seat  of  multiplication  of  the  actinomyces  fungus.  In 
another  case,  of  which  only  a  small  portion  of  the  lungs  were  sent  to 
the  laboratory,  these  were  completely  transformed  into  a  uniformly 
grayish  mass,  very  soft  and  pulpy  to  the  touch,  and  appearing  like 
very  soft  and  moist  dough.  (PL  XLII,  fig.  3.)  The  actinomyces 
grains  were  exceedingly  abundant  in  this  tissue,  and  appeared  when 
the  tissue  was  incised  as  minute  sulphur-yellow  grains,  densely 
sprinkled  through  the  tissue,  which  readily  came  away  and  adhered 
to  the  knife  blade.  In  still  another  case  a  portion  of  the  lung  tissue 
was  converted  into  large,  soft  masses  from  1  to  3  inches  in  diameter, 
each  partly  inclosed  in  very  dense  connective  tissue.  These  soft, 
grayish-yellow  masses  likewise  resembled  moist  dough  in  their  consist- 
ency, and  the  actinomyces  grains,  though  neither  very  distinct  nor  at 
all  abundant,  were  easily  fished  cut  and  identified  as  such.  A  portion 
of  this  growth,  which  was  as  large  as  a  child's  head,  was  converted 
into  an  abscess  filled  with  creamy  semiliquid  pus. 

This  case  differed  from  the  preceding  in  that  all  appearance  of  lung 
tissue  had  disappeared  from  the  diseased  mass.  Only  on  the  exterior 
61386—08 -28 


434  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

the  lung  tissue  could  be  recognized,  although  even  there  it  had  been 
largely  converted  into  very  dense,  whitish,  connective  tissue  inclosing 
the  fungoid  growth.  In  the  other  case  the  external  form  of  the  lung 
and  the  shape  and  outline  of  the  lobules  were  preserved,  but  the  lung 
tissue  itself  was  not  recognizable  as  such.  In  the  case  first  mentioned 
the  changes  were  still  less  marked,  and  actinomycosis  would  not  have 
been  suspected  by  a  simple  inspection.  These  few  illustrations  suffice 
to  show  that  actinomycosis  of  the  lungs  may  appear  under  quite  dif- 
ferent forms,  and  that  the  nature  of  the  disease  can  be  accurately 
determined  only  by  finding  the  fungus  itself.  Rarely  actinomycosis 
attacks  the  body  externally  in  places  other  than  the  head  and  neck. 
Crookshank  describes  the  case  of  a  bull  in  which  the  flank  was 
attacked  and  subsequently  the  scrotum  became  diseased.  A  large 
portion  of  the  skin  of  the  flank  was  destroyed  and  covered  with  a 
leathery  crust.  When  this  was  pulled  away  the  pus  beneath  it  showed 
the  actinomyces  grains  to  the  naked  eye. 

Actinomycosis  may  also  involve  the  udder,  the  spermatic  cord  of 
castrated  animals,  vagina,  and,  when  it  becomes  generalized,  the  brain, 
liver,  spleen,  and  muscular  tissue. 

Actinomycosis  may  in  some  cases  be  confounded  with  tuberculosis. 
The  diagnosis  does  not  offer  any  difficulties,  since  the  presence  of  the 
actinomyces  fungus  at  once  removes  any  existing  doubts.  As  has 
already  been  intimated,  these  grains,  simulating  sulphur  balls,  are 
visible  to  the  naked  eye,  and  their  nature  is  readily  determined  with 
the  aid  of  a  microscope. 

The  course  of  the  disease  is  quite  slow.  As  the  tumors  grow  they 
may  interfere  with  the  natural  functions  of  the  body.  According  to 
their  situation,  mastication,  rumination,  or  breathing  may  be  inter- 
fered with,  and  in  this  way  the  animal  may  become  emaciated.  Acti- 
nomycosis of  the  jawbones  leads  to  destruction  of  the  teeth  and 
impedes  the  movements  necessary  to  chewing  the  food.  Similarly, 
when  the  disease  attacks  the  soft  parts  of  the  head  obstructions  may 
arise  in  the  mouth  by  an  inward  growth  of  the  tumor.  If  tumors 
exist  in  the  pharynx  they  may  partially  obstruct  the  movements 
necessary  to  breathing,  or  close  the  air  passages  and  cause  partial 
suffocation.  Actinomycosis  of  the  tongue,  in  interfering  with  the 
many  and  varied  movements  of  this  important  organ,  is  also  a  serious 
matter.  There  is  no  reason  to  suppose  that  the  localized  disease 
interferes  with  the  general  health  in  any  other  way  than  indirectly 
until  internal  organs,  such  as  the  lungs,  become  involved. 

A  very  small  proportion  of  the  cases  may  recover  spontaneously, 
the  tumors  being  encysted  or  undergoing  calcification.  In  most  cases 
the  disease  yields  readily  to  proper  treatment,  and  about  75  per  cent 
of  the  affected  animals  may  be  cured. 

Prevention. — The  question  as  to  how  and  where  animals  take  this 
disease  is  one  concerning  which  we  are  still  in  the  stage  of  conjecture, 


INFECTIOUS   DISEASES   OF    CATTLE.  435 

because  we  possess  as  yet  very  little  information  concerning  the  life 
history  of  the  actinomyces  itself.  The  quite  unanimous  view  of  all 
observers  is  that  animals  become  infected  from  the  food.  The  fungus 
is  lodged  upon  the  plants  and  in  some  way  enters  the  tissues  of  the 
head,  the  lungs,  and  the  digestive  tract,  where  it  sets  up  its  peculiar 
activity.  It  is  likewise  generally  believed  that  the  fungus  is,  as  it 
were,  inoculated  into  the  affected  part.  This  inoculation  is  performed 
by  the  sharp  and  pointed  parts  of  plants  which  penetrate  the  mucous 
membrane  and  carry  with  them  the  fungus.  The  disease  is  therefore 
inoculable  rather  than  contagious.  The  mere  presence  of  the  diseased 
animal  will  not  give  rise  to  disease  in  healthy  animals  unless  the  acti- 
nomyces grains  pass  directly  from  the  diseased  into  some  wound  or 
abrasion  of  the  healthy  or  else  drop  upon  the  food  which  is  consumed 
by  the  healthy.  Not  only  are  these  views  deducible  from  clinical 
observation,  but  they  have  been  proved  by  the  positive  inoculation  of 
calves  and  smaller  animals  with  actinomyces.  The  danger  therefore 
of  the  presence  of  actinomyces  for  healthy  animals  is  a  limited  one. 
Nevertheless  an  animal  affected  with  this  disease  should  not  be 
allowed  to  go  at  large  or  run  with  other  animals.  If  the  fungus  is 
being  scattered  by  discharging  growths  we  certainly  can  not  state  at 
this  stage  of  our  knowledge  that  other  animals  may  not  be  infected  by 
such  distribution,  and  we  must  assume,  until  more  positive  informa- 
tion is  at  hand,  that  this  actually  occurs. 

It  is,  however,  the  opinion  of  the  majority  of  authorities  that  when 
actinomycosis  appears  among  a  large  number  of  animals  they  all  con- 
tract it  in  the  same  way  from  the  food.  Much  speculation  has  there- 
fore arisen  whether  any  particular  plant  or  group  of  plants  is  the 
source  of  the  infection  and  whether  any  special  condition  of  the  soil 
favors  it.  Very  little  positive  information  is  at  hand  on  these  ques- 
tions. It  would  be  very  desirable  for  those  who  live  in  localities 
where  this  disease  is  prevalent  to  make  statistical  and  other  observa- 
tions on  the  occurrence  of  the  disease  with  reference  to  the  season  of 
the  year,  the  kind  of  food,  the  nature  of  the  soil  (whether  swampy  or 
dry,  recently  reclaimed  or  cultivated  for  a  long  time)  upon  which  the 
animals  are  pastured  or  upon  which  the  food  is  grown. 

It  is  highly  probable  that  such  investigations  will  lead  to  an  under- 
standing of  the  source  of  the  fungus  and  the  means  for  checking 
the  spread  of  the  disease  itself.  Veterinarian  Jensen,  of  Denmark, 
made  some  observations  upon  an  extensive  outbreak  of  actinomycosis 
a  number  of  years  ago,  which  led  him  to  infer  that  the  animals 
were  inoculated  by  eating  barley  straw  harvested  from  pieces  of 
ground  just  reclaimed  from  the  sea.  While  the  animals  remained 
unaffected  as  long  as  they  pastured  on  this  ground  or  ate  the  hay 
obtained  from  it,  they  became  diseased  after  eating  the  straw  of 
cereals  from  the  same  territory.  Others  have  found  that  cattle  grazing 
upon  low  pastures  along  the  banks  of  streams  and  subject  to  inunda- 


436  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

tions  are  more  prone  to  the  disease.  It  has  also  been  observed  that 
food  gathered  from  such  grounds  may  give  rise  to  the  disease  even 
after  prolonged  drying.  Actinomycosis  is  not  infrequent  in  south- 
western cattle  and  is  generally  supposed  to  be  the  result  of  eating 
the  prickly  fruit  of  the  cactus  plant,  causing  wounds  of  the  mucous 
membrane  and  subsequent  infection  with  the  parasite.  Much  addi- 
tional information  of  a  similar  kind  must  be  forthcoming  before  the 
source  and  manner  of  infection  in  this  disease  and  its  dependence 
upon  external  conditions  will  be  known.  It  is  not  at  all  improbable 
that  these  may  vary  considerably  from  place  to  place. 

Treatment. — This  has  been  until  recently  almost  entirely  surgical. 
When  the  tumors  are  external  and  attached  to  soft  parts  only,  an 
early  removal  may  lead  to  recovery.  This,  of  course,  can  only  be 
undertaken  by  a  trained  veterinarian,  especially  as  the  various  parts 
of  the  head  and  neck  contain  important  vessels,  nerves,  and  ducts 
which  should  be  injured  as  little  as  possible  in  any  operation.  Unless 
the  tumor  is  completely  removed  it  will  reappear.  Disease  of  the 
jawbones  is  at  best  a  very  serious  matter,  and  treatment  is  likely  to 
be  of  no  avail. 

In  March,  1892,  an  important  contribution  to  our  knowledge  of  this 
subject  was  made  by  M.  Nocard,  of  the  Alfort  Veterinary  School,  in  a 
communication  to  the  French  Central  Society  of  Veterinary  Medicine. 
He  showed  clearly  that  the  actinomycosis  of  the  tongue,  a  disease 
which  appears  to  be  quite  common  in  Germany,  and  is  there  known 
as  "wooden  tongue,"  could  be  quickly  and  permanently  cured  by  the 
administration  of  iodid  of  potassium.  M.  Nocard  calls  attention  to 
the  success  of  M.  Thomassen,  of  Utrecht,  who  recommended  this  treat- 
ment as  long  ago  as  1885,  and  who  has  since  treated  more  than  80  cases, 
all  of  which  have  been  cured.  A  French  veterinarian,  M.  Godbille, 
has  treated  a  number  of  cases  of  actinomycosis  in  the  tongue  with  the 
same  remedy,  all  of  which  have  been  cured.  M.  Nocard  also  gives 
details  of  a  case  which  was  cured  by  himself. 

All  of  the  cases  referred  to  were  of  actinomycosis  of  the  tongue,  and 
no  one  appears  to  have  attempted  the  cure  of  actinomycosis  of  the 
jaw  until  this  was  undertaken  by  Doctor  Norgaard,  of  the  Bureau  of 
Animal  Industry.  He  selected  a  young  steer  in  April,  1892,  in  fair 
condition,  which  had  a  tumor  on  the  jaw  measuring  15£  inches  in  cir- 
cumference and  from  which  a  discharge  had  already  been  established. 
This  animal  was  treated  with  iodid  of  potassium,  and  the  result  was 
a  complete  cure. 

The  iodid  of  potassium  is  given  in  doses  of  1£  to  2\  drams  once 
a  day,  dissolved  in  water,  and  administered  as  a  drench.  The  dose 
should  vary  somewhat  with  the  size  of  the  animal  and  with  the 
effects  that  are  produced.  If  the  dose  is  sufficiently  large  there  appear 
signs  of  iodism  in  the  course  of  a  week  or  ten  days.  The  skin  becomes 
scurfy,  there  is  weeping  from  the  eyes,  catarrh  of  the  nose,  and  loss  of 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  437 

appetite.  When  these  symptoms  appear  the  medicine  may  be  sus- 
pended for  a  few  days  and  afterwards  resumed  in  the  same  dose. 
The  cure  requires  from  three  to  six  weeks'  treatment.  Some  animals 
do  not  improve  under  treatment  with  iodid  of  potassium,  and  these 
are  generally  the  ones  which  show  no  signs  of  iodism. 

If  there  is  no  sign  of  improvement  after  the  animals  have  been 
treated  four  or  five  weeks,  and  the  medicine  has  been  given  in  as 
large  doses  as  appear  desirable,  it  is  an  indication  that  the  particular 
animal  is  not  susceptible  to  the  curative  effects  of  the  drug,  and  the 
treatment  may  therefore  be  abandoned. 

It  is  not,  however,  advisable  to  administer  iodid  of  potassium  to 
milch  cows,  as  it  will  considerably  reduce  the  milk  secretion  or  stop  it 
altogether.  Furthermore,  a  great  part  of  the  drug  is  excreted  through 
the  milk,  making  the  milk  unfit  for  use.  It  should  not  be  given  to  ani- 
mals in  advanced  pregnancy,  as  there  is  danger  of  producing  abortion. 

The  best  results  are  obtained  by  pushing  the  drug  until  you  see  its 
effect.  The  many  tests  to  which  this  treatment  has  been  subjected 
have  proved  with  few  exceptions  its  specific  curative  value.  In  addi- 
tion to  this  the  tumor  should  be  painted  externally  with  the  tincture 
of  iodin  or  Lugol's  solution,  or  one  of  these  solutions  should  be  injected 
subcutaneously  into  the  tumor. 

M.  Godbille  has  given  as  much  as  4  drams  of  potassium  iodid  in 
one  day  to  a  steer,  decreasing  the  dose  one-fourth  dram  each  day  until 
the  dose  was  1^  drams,  which  was  maintained  until  the  twelfth  day 
of  treatment,  when  the  steer  appeared  entirely  cured. 

M.  Nocard  gave  the  first  day  1|  drams  in  one  dose  to  a  cow ;  the 
second  and  succeeding  days  a  dose  of  1  dram  in  the  morning  and  even- 
ing, in  each  case  before  feeding.  This  treatment  was  continued  for 
ten  days,  when  the  animal  was  cured. 

Actinomycosis  and  the  public  health. — The  interest  which  is  shown 
concerning  this  cattle  disease  is  largely  due  to  the  fact  that  the  same 
disease  attacks  human  beings.  Its  slow  progress,  its  tendency  to 
remain  restricted  to  certain  localities,  and  the  absence  of  any  directly 
contagious  properties  have  thus  far  not  aroused  any  anxiety  in  other 
countries  as  to  its  influence  on  the  cattle  industry,  not  even  to  the 
point  of  placing  it  among  the  infectious  diseases  of  which  statistics 
are  annually  published.  Its  possible  bearing  on  public  health  has, 
however,  given  this  disease  a  place  in  the  public  mind  which  it  hardly 
deserves. 

It  has  already  been  stated  that  the  actinomyces  fungus  found  in 
human  disease  is  considered  by  authorities  the  same  as  that  occurring 
in  bovine  affections.  It  is  therefore  of  interest  to  conclude  this  article 
with  a  brief  discussion  of  the  disease  in  man  and  its  relation  to  acti- 
nomycosis in  cattle. 

In  man  the  location  of  the  disease  process  corresponds  fairly  well 
with  that  in  cattle.     The  majority  of  cases  which  have  been  reported 


438  DISEASES   OF   CATTLE. 

in  different  parts  of  the  world — and  they  are  now  quite  numerous — 
indicate  disease  of  the  face.  The  skin,  tongue,  or  the  jawbones  may 
become  affected,  and  by  a  very  slow  process  it  may  extend  downward 
upon  the  neck  and  even  into  the  cavity  of  the  chest.  In  many  cases 
the  teeth  have  been  found  in  a  state  of  more  or  less  advanced  decay 
and  ulceration.  In  a  few  cases  disease  of  the  lungs  was  observed 
without  coexisting  disease  of  the  bones  or  soft  parts  of  the  head.  In 
such  cases  the  fungus  must  have  been  inhaled.  The  disease  of  the 
lungs  after  a  time  extends  upon  the  chest  wall.  Here  it  may  corrode  the 
ribs  and  work  its  way  through  the  muscles  and  the  skin.  An  abscess 
is  thus  formed  discharging  pus  containing  actinomyces  grains.  Dis- 
ease of  the  digestive  organs  caused  by  this  fungus  has  also  been 
observed  in  a  few  instances.  w 

Granting  the  identity  of  the  disease  in  man  and  cattle,  the  question 
has  been  raised  whether  cattle  are  responsible  for  the  disease  in  man. 
Any  transmission  of  the  infectious  agent  may  be  conceived  of  as  taking 
place  during  the  life  of  the  animal  and  after  slaughter  from  the  meat. 
That  human  beings  have  contracted  actinomycosis  by  coming  in  con- 
tact with  diseased  cattle  is  not  shown  by  the  cases  that  have  hitherto 

ACTINOMYCOSIS. 

[Description  of  plates.] 

Plate  XLI.  Fig.  lo  Actinomycosis  of  the  jaw.  The  lower  jawbone  has  been 
extensively  eaten  away  by  the  disease.  Fig.  2.  Actinomyces  fungus  from  a  tumor 
of  the  jawbone  in  cattle,  magnified  550  times.  Both  figures  are  taken  from  J6hne 
(Encyklopadie  d.  ges.  Thierheilkunde). 

Plate  XLII.  Actinomycosis  of  the  lungs.  Fig.  1.  Transverse  section  of  the 
ventral  lobe  of  the  right  lung,  from  a  case  studi  d  in  the  laboratory.  The  yellow- 
ish dots  represent  the  places  where  the  actinomyces  fungus  is  lodged.  The  larger 
yellowish  patches  are  produced  by  the  confluence  of  a  number  of  isolated  centers. 
The  entire  lobe  is  of  a  dark  flesh-red  color,  due  to  collapse  and  broncho-pneumonia. 
Fig.  2.  The  cut  surface  of  a  portion  of  the  principal  lobe  of  the  same  lung,  show- 
ing the  recent  invasion  of  antinomycosis  from  the  other  lobe:  a,  large  air  tube; 
b,  artery;  c,  a  pneumonic  lobule;  d,  lobule  containing  minute  yellowish  dots.  In 
these  the  actinomyces  fungus  is  lodged.  Fig.  3.  Cut  surface  of  a  small  portion  of 
another  lung,  showing  a  few  lobules  a.  The  fungus  is  sprinkled  throughout  the 
lung  tissue  in  the  form  of  yellowish  grains,  as  shown  in  the  illustration.  The 
pleural  covering  of  the  lung  tissue  is  shown  in  profile  above. 

Plate  XLIII.  Actinomycosis  of  the  jaw  (lumpy  jaw,  etc.),  reduced  one-half. 
(From  Johne,  in  Encyklopadie  d.  gesammt.  Thierheilkunde. )  The  lower  jaw  is 
sawn  through  transversely,  i.  e.,  from  right  to  left,  and  shows  the  disease  within 
the  jawbone  itself;  a,  within  the  mouth,  showing  the  papillae  on  the  mucous  mem- 
brane of  the  cheek;  b,  front  view  of  a  molar  tooth;  c,  the  skin  covering  the  lower 
surface  of  the  jawbone;  d,  the  jawbone  hollowed  out  and  enlarged  by  the  forma- 
tion of  cavities  within  it,  which  are  filled  with  the  soft  growth  of  the  actinomy- 
cotic tumor.  The  section  makes  it  appear  as  if  the  bone  were  broken  into  fragments 
and  these  forced  apart;  e,  a  portion  of  the  tumor  which  has  broken  through  the 
bone  and  the  skin  and  appears  as  a  tumor  on  the  cheek.  The  little  roundish  masses 
represent  the  granulomata  (minute  tumors)  in  which  the  fungus  vegetates. 


Oiseases  of  Cattle. 


PLATE  XU. 


Diseases  of  Cattle. 


Plate  xlii 


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Haines  del 


JS  BIEX  &   CO. I 


Diseases  of  Cattle. 


PLATE  XLIII. 


^Mrt^.rl&J    .    '/,' 


ACTINOMYCOSIS  OF  THE  JAW. 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES   OP    CATTLE.  439 

been  reported,  for  the  occupations  of  most  of  the  patients  did  not  bring 
them  into  any  relation  whatever  with  cattle.  While  the  possibility  of 
such  direct  transmission  is  not  denied,  nevertheless  it  must  be  consid- 
ered extremely  rare.  Practically  the  same  position  is  maintained  at 
present  by  most  authorities  as  regards  the  transmission  of  the  disease  to 
man  by  eating  meat.  Israel,  who  has  studied  this  question  carefully, 
found  the  disease  in  Jews  who  never  ate  porka  and  who  likewise  were 
protected  by  the  rigorous  meat  inspection  practiced  by  their  sect  from 
bovine  actinomycosis.  Furthermore,  it  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  acti- 
nomycosis is  a  local  disease,  causing  great  destruction  of  tissue  where 
the  fungus  multiplies,  but  very  rarely  becoming  generally  disseminated 
over  the  body  from  the  original  disease  focus.  The  fungus  is  only  found 
in  places  where  the  disease  process  is  manifest  to  the  eye  or  becomes 
so  in  a  very  short  time  after  the  lodgment  of  the  fungus.  Only  the 
greatest  negligence  would  allow  the  actually  diseased  parts  to  be  sold 
and  consumed.  Finally,  this  parasite,  like  all  others,  would  be 
destroyed  in  the  process  of  cooking.  The  majority  of  authorities  thus 
do  not  believe  that  actinomycosis  in  man  is  directly  traceable  to  the  dis- 
ease in  animals,  but  are  of  the  opinion  that  both  man  and  animals  are 
infected  from  a  third  source.  This  source  has  already  been  discussed 
above.  How  far  these  views  may  be  modified  by  further  and  more 
telling  investigations  of  the  parasitic  fungus  itself  no  one  can  predict. 
There  are  still  wide  gaps  in  our  knowledge,  and  the  above  presenta- 
tion simply  summarizes  the  prevailing  views,  to  which  there  are,  of 
course,  dissenters.  An  attempt  to  give  the  views  of  both  sides  on  this 
Question  would  necessitate  the  summarizing  and  impartial  discussion 
of  all  the  experiments  thus  far  made — a  task  entirely  beyond  the 
scope  of  the  present  work. 

Whether  an  animal  affected  with  actinomycosis  should  be  used  for 
human  food  after  all  diseased  organs  and  tissues  have  been  thoroughly 
removed  is  a  question  the  answer  to  which  depends  on  a  variety  of 
circumstances.  Among  these  may  be  mentioned  the  thoroughness 
of  the  meat  inspection  itself,  which  allows  no  really  diseased  animal 
to  pass  muster;  the  extent  of  the  disease,  and  the  general  condition 
of  the  animal  affected. 

If  the  tumors  in  the  carcass  are  small,  and  not  generalized,  the 
affected  parts  should  be  destroyed  and  the  remainder  may  be  used 
for  human  food.  When,  however,  the  disease  is  sufficiently  developed 
to  cause  large  swellings  and  abscesses  which  are  freely  discharging 
pus  into  the  alimentary  canal,  and  when  the  general  health  of  the 
animal  is  affected,  the  carcass  should  be  condemned,  as  the  meat  is 
not  in  a  proper  condition  for  food.  The  carcass  should  also  be 
destroyed  when  the  lungs  or  internal  lymphatic  glands  are  affected,  or 
when  there  are  a  large  number  of  centers  of  disease  scattered  through- 
out the  body. 

aHogs  are  subject  to  actinomycosis. 


440  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

ANTHRAX. 

Anthrax,  or  charbon,  may  be  defined  as  an  infectious  disease  which 
is  caused  by  specific  bacteria,  known  as  anthrax  bacilli,  and  which  is 
more  or  less  restricted  by  conditions  of  soil  and  moisture  to  definite 
geographical  localities.  While  it  is  chiefly  limited  to  cattle  and  sheep, 
it  may  be  transmitted  to  goats,  horses,  cats,  and  certain  kinds  of 
game.  Smaller  animals,  such  as  mice,  rabbits,  and  guinea  pigs, 
speedily  succumb  to  inoculation.  Dogs  and  hogs  are  slightly  sus- 
ceptible, while  fowls  are  practically  immune.  The  variety  of  domes- 
ticated animals  which  it  may  attack  renders  it  one  of  the  most  dreaded 
scourges  of  animal  life.  It  may  even  attack  man.  Of  this  more  will 
be  stated  farther  on. 

Cause. — The  cause  of  anthrax  is  a  microscopic  organism  known  as 
the  anthrax  bacillus.  (See  PI.  XXIX,  fig.  7.)  In  form  it  is  cylindri- 
cal or  rod-like,  measuring  -^^^  to^^o  inch  in  length  and  ^foir  toch  to 
diameter.  Like  all  bacteria,  these  rod-like  bodies  have  the  power  of 
indefinite  multiplication,  and  in  the  body  of  infected  animals  they 
produce  death  by  rapidly  increasing  in  numbers  and  producing  sub- 
stances which  poison  the  body.  In  the  blood  they  multiply  in  num- 
ber by  becoming  elongated  and  then  dividing  into  two,  each  new 
organism  continuing  the  same  process  indefinitely.  Outside  of  the 
body,  however,  they  multiply  in  a  different  way  when  under  condi- 
tions unfavorable  to  growth.  Oval  bodies,  which  are  called  spores, 
appear  within  the  rods,  and  remain  alive  and  capable  of  germina- 
tion after  years  of  drying.  They  also  resist  heat  to  a  remarkable 
degree,  so  that  boiling  water  is  necessary  to  destroy  them.  The 
bacilli  themselves,  on  the  other  hand,  show  only  very  little  resistance 
to  heat  and  drying.  It  has  long  been  known  that  the  anthrax  virus 
thrives  best  under  certain  conditions  of  the  soil  and  on  territories 
subject  to  floods  and  inundations.  The  particular  kinds  of  soil 
upon  which  the  disease  is  observed  are  black,  loose,  warm,  humous 
soils,  also  those  containing  lime,  marl,  and  clay,  finally  peaty,  swampy 
soils  resting  upon  strata  which  hold  the  water,  or,  in  other  words,  are 
impervious.  Hence  fields  containing  stagnant  pools  may  be  the 
source  of  infection.  The  infection  may  be  limited  to  certain  farms, 
or  even  to  restricted  areas  on  such  farms.  Even  in  the  Alps,  over 
3,000  feet  above  sea  level,  where  such  conditions  prevail  in  secluded 
valleys,  anthrax  persists  among  herds. 

Aside  from  these  limitations  to  specific  conditions  of  the  soil,  anthrax 
is  a  disease  of  world-wide  distribution.  It  exists  in  most  countries  of 
Europe,  in  Asia,  Africa,  Australia,  and  in  our  own  country  in  the 
lower  Mississippi  Valley,  the  Gulf  States,  and  in  some  of  the  Eastern 
and  Western  States.  It  seems  to  be  gradually  spreading  in  this  coun- 
try and  occurs  in  new  districts  every  year. 

Meteorological  conditions  also  have  an  important  share  in  determin- 
ing the  severity  of  the  disease.     On  those  tracts  subject  to  inunda- 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES   OF    CATTLE.  441 

tions  in  spring  a  very  hot,  dry  summer  is  apt  to  cause  a  severe  outbreak. 
The  relation  which  the  bacillus  bears  to  these  conditions  is  not  posi- 
tively known.  It  may  be  that  during  and  immediately  after  inunda- 
tions or  in  stagnant  water  the  bacilli  find  enough  nourishment  in  the 
water  here  and  there  to  multiply  and  produce  an  abundant  crop  of 
spores,  which  are  subsequently  carried,  in  a  dry  condition,  by  the 
winds  during  the  period  of  drought  and  disseminated  over  the  vege- 
tation. Animals  feeding  upon  this  vegetation  may  contract  the  dis- 
ease if  the  spores  germinate  in  the  body. 

Another  source  of  the  virus,  and  one  regarded  by  many  authorities 
as  perhaps  the  most  important,  is  the  body  of  an  animal  which  has 
died  of  anthrax.  It  will  be  remembered  that  in  such  bodies  the 
anthrax  bacilli  are  present  in  enormous  numbers,  and  wherever  blood 
or  other  body  fluids  are  exposed  to  the  air  on  the  surface  of  the  carcass 
there  the  formation  of  spores  will  go  on  in  the  warm  season  of  the  year 
with  great  rapidity.  It  will  thus  be  readily  understood  how  this  dis- 
ease may  become  stationary  in  a  given  localitj7-  and  appear  year  after 
year  and  even  grow  in  severity  if  the  carcasses  of  animals  which  have 
succumbed  to  it  are  not  properly  disposed  of.  These  should  be  buried 
deeply,  so  that  spore  formation  may  be  prevented  and  no  animal  have 
access  to  them.  By  exercising  this  precaution  the  disease  will  not  be 
disseminated  by  flies  and  other  insect  pests. 

We  have  thus  two  agents  at  work  in  maintaining  the  disease  in  any 
locality — the  soil  and  meteorological  conditions  and  the  carcasses  of 
animals  that  have  died  of  the  disease.  Besides  these  dangers,  which 
are  of  immediate  consequence  to  cattle  on  pastures,  the  virus  may  be 
carried  from  place  to  place  in  hides,  hair,  wool,  hoofs,  and  horns,  and 
it  may  be  stored  in  the  hay  or  other  fodder  from  the  infected  fields  and 
cause  an  outbreak  among  stabled  animals  feeding  upon  it  in  winter. 
In  this  manner  the  affection  has  been  introduced  into  far  distant 
localities. 

How  cattle  are  infected. — We  have  seen  above  that  the  spores  of  the 
anthrax  bacilli,  which  correspond  in  their  functions  to  the  seeds  of  higher 
plants,  and  which  are  the  elements  that  resist  the  unfavorable  conditions 
in  the  soil,  air,  and  water  longest,  are  the  chief  agents  of  infection.  They 
may  be  taken  into  the  body  with  the  food  and  produce  disease  which 
begins  in  the  intestinal  tract;  or  they  may  come  in  contact  with 
scratches,  bites,  or  other  wounds  of  the  skin,  the  mouth,  and  tongue, 
and  produce  in  these  situations  swellings  or  carbuncles.  From  such 
swellings  the  bacilli  penetrate  into  the  blood  and  produce  a  general 
disease. 

It  has  likewise  been  claimed  that  the  disease  may  be  transmitted  by 
various  kinds  of  insects  which  carry  the  bacilli  from  the  sick  and  inoc- 
ulate the  healthy  as  they  pierce  the  skin.  When  infection  of  the  blood 
takes  place  from  the  intestines  the  carbuncles  may  be  absent.  It  has 
already  been  stated  that  since  the  anthrax  spores  live  for  several  years, 


442  DISEASES   OF   CATTLE. 

the  disease  may  be  contracted  in  winter  from  food  gathered  on  per- 
manently infected  fields. 

The  disease  may  appear  sporadically,  i.  e.,  only  one  or  several  ani- 
mals may  be  infected  while  the  rest  of  the  herd  remain  well,  or  it  may 
appear  as  an  epizootic  attacking  a  large  number  at  about  the  same 
time. 

Symptoms. — The  symptoms  in  cattle  vary  considerably,  according  aa 
the  disease  begins  in  the  skin,  in  the  lungs,  or  in  the  intestines.  They 
depend  also  on  the  severity  of  the  attack.  Thus  we  may  have  what  is 
called  anthrax  peracutus  or  apoplectiform,  when  the  animal  dies  very 
suddenly  as  if  from  apoplexy.  Such  cases  usually  occur  in  the  begin- 
ning of  an  outbreak.  The  animal,  without  having  shown  any  signs  of 
disease,  suddenly  drops  down  in  the  pasture  and  dies  in  convulsions, 
or  an  animal  apparent^  well  at  night  is  found  dead  in  the  morning. 

The  second  type  (anthrax  acutus),  without  any  external  swellings,  is 
the  one  most  commonly  observed  in  cattle.  The  disease  begins  with 
a  high  fever.  The  temperature  may  reach  106°  to  107°  F.  The  pulse 
beats  from  80  to  100  per  minute.  Feeding  and  rumination  are  sus- 
pended. Chills  and  muscular  tremors  may  appear  and  the  skin  show 
uneven  temperature.  The  ears  and  base  of  the  horns  are  cold,  the  coat 
staring.     The  animals  are  dull  and  stupid  and  manifest  great  weakness. 

To  these  symptoms  others  are  added  in  the  course  of  the  disease. 
The  dullness  may  give  way  to  great  uneasiness,  champing  of  the  jaws, 
spasms  of  the  limbs,  kicking  and  pawing  the  ground.  The  breathing 
may  become  labored.  The  nostrils  then  dilate,  the  mouth  is  open,  the 
head  raised,  and  all  muscles  of  the  chest  are  strained  during  breath- 
ing, while  the  visible  mucous  membranes  (nose,  mouth,  rectum,  and 
vagina)  become  bluish.  If  the  disease  has  started  in  the  bowels,  there 
is  much  pain,  as  shown  by  the  moaning  of  the  animal;  the  discharges, 
at  first  firm,  become  softer  and  covered  with  serum,  mucus,  and  blood. 

As  the  disease  approaches  the  fatal  termination  the  weakness  of  the 
animal  increases.  It  leans  against  supports  or  lies  down.  Blood  ves- 
sels may  rupture  and  give  rise  to  spots  of  blood  on  the  various  mucous 
membranes  and  bloody  discharges  from  nose,  mouth,  rectum,  and 
vagina.  The  urine  not  infrequently  contains  blood  (red-water). 
Death  ensues  within  one  or  two  days. 

A  third  type  of  the  disease  {anthrax  subacutus)  includes  those 
cases  in  which  the  disease  is  more  prolonged.  It  may  last  from  three 
to  seven  days  and  terminate  fatally  or  end  in  recovery.  In  this  type, 
which  is  rarely  observed,  the  symptoms  are  practically  as  described 
in  the  acute  form,  only  less  marked. 

In  connection  with  these  types  of  intestinal  anthrax,  swellings  may 
appear  under  the  skin  in  different  parts  of  the  body,  or  the  disease 
may  start  from  such  a  swelling,  caused  by  the  inoculation  of  anthrax 
spores  in  one  of  the  several  different  ways  already  described.  If  the 
disease  begins  in  the  skin  it  agrees  in  general  with  the  subacute  form 


INFECTIOUS   DISEASES   OF    CATTLE.  443 

in  prolonged  duration,  and  it  may  occasionally  terminate  in  recovery 
if  the  swellings  are  thoroughly  incised  and  treated. 

Lesions. — These  swellings  appear  as  edemas  and  carbuncles.  The 
former  are  doughy  tumors  of  a  more  or  less  flattish  form  passing  grad- 
ually into  the  surrounding  healthy  tissue.  They  are  situated  as  a  rule 
beneath  the  skin  in  the  fatty  layer,  and  the  skin  itself  is  at  first  of 
healthy  appearance,  so  that  they  are  often  overlooked,  especially  when 
covered  with  a  good  coat  of  hair.  When  they  are  cut  open  they  are 
found  to  consist  of  a  peculiar  jelly-like  mass  of  a  yellowish  color  and 
more  or  less  stained  by  blood.  The  carbuncles  are  firm,  hot,  tender 
swellings,  which  later  become  cool  and  painless  and  undergo  mortifi- 
cation. The  edemas  and  carbuncles  may  also  appear  in  the  mouth, 
pharynx,  larynx,  in  the  tongue,  and  in  the  rectum. 

The  bodies  of  cattle  which  have  died  of  anthrax  soon  lose  their 
rigidity  and  become  bloated,  because  decomposition  sets  in  very  rap- 
idly. From  the  mouth,  nose,  and  anus  blood-stained  fluid  flows  in 
small  quantities.  When  such  carcasses  are  opened  and  examined,  it 
will  be  found  that  nearly  all  organs  are  sprinkled  with  spots  of  blood 
or  extravasations  of  various  sizes.  The  spleen  is  enlarged  from  two 
to  five  times,  the  pulp  blackish  and  soft  and  occasionally  disinte- 
grated. The  blood  is  of  tarry  consistency,  not  firmly  coagulated,  and 
blackish  in  color.  In  the  abdomen,  the  thoracic  cavity,  and  in  the 
pericardium,  or  bag  surrounding  the  heart,  more  or  less  blood-stained 
fluid  is  present.  In  addition  to  these  characteristic  signs,  the  car- 
buncles and  swellings  under  the  skin,  already  described,  wTill  aid  in 
determining  the  true  nature  of  the  disease.  The  most  reliable  method 
of  diagnosis  is  the  examination  of  the  blood  and  tissues  for  anthrax 
bacilli.  This  requires  a  trained  bacteriologist.  The  fatal  cases  of 
anthrax  number  from  70  to  90  per  cent,  and  are  usually  more  numer- 
ous at  the  first  outbreak  of  the  disease. 

Differential  diagnosis. — The  diagnosis  from  blackleg  may  be  made 
by  noting  the  subcutaneous  swellings  which  appear  upon  the  patient. 
Those  of  blackleg  are  found  to  crackle  under  pressure  with  the  finger, 
owing  to  the  presence  of  gas  within  the  tissues,  while  the  tumors  of 
anthrax,  being  due  to  the  presence  of  serum,  are  entirely  free  from 
this  quality  and  have  a  somewhat  doughy  consistence.  The  tumors 
of  blackleg  usually  locate  on  the  shoulder  or  thigh  and  are  not  found 
so  frequently  about  the  neck  and  side  of  the  body  as  are  the  swellings 
of  anthrax.  The  blood  of  animals  dead  of  blackleg  is  normal,  and 
the  spleen  does  not  appear  swollen  or  darkened,  as  in  animals  affected 
with  anthrax.  The  chief  differences  between  anthrax  and  Texas  fever 
are  that  the  course  of  the  former  is  more  acute  and  the  blood  of  the 
animal  is  dark  and  of  a  tar-like  consistence,  while  in  the  case  of  Texas 
fever  it  will  be  found  thinner  than  normal.  The  presence  of  Texas 
fever  ticks  on  the  cattle  would  also  lead  one  to  suspect  Texas  fever  in 
regions  where  cattle  are  not  immune  from  this  disease. 


444  DISEASES   OF    CATTLE. 

Treatment. — This  is  as  a  rule  ineffectual  and  useless,  excepting  per- 
haps in  cases  which  originate  from  external  wounds.  The  swellings 
should  be  opened  freely  by  long  incisions  with  a  sharp  knife  and 
washed  several  times  daily  with  carbolic  acid  solution  (1  ounce  to  a 
quart  of  water).  Care  should  be  taken  to  disinfect  thoroughly  any 
fluid  discharge  that  may  follow  such  incision.  When  suppuration  has 
set  in,  the  treatment  recommended  in  the  chapter  on  wounds  should  be 
carried  out. 

Prevention. — Since  treatment  is  of  little  or  no  avail  in  this  disease, 
prevention  is  the  most  important  subject  demanding  consideration. 
The  various  means  to  be  suggested  may  be  brought  under  two  heads: 
(1)  The  surroundings  of  the  animal,  and  (2)  protective  inoculation. 

(1)  What  has  already  been  stated  in  the  foregoing  pages  on  those 
conditions  of  the  pastures  which  are  favorable  to  anthrax  will  suggest 
to  most  minds,  after  a  little  thought,  some  of  the  preventive  measures 
which  may  be  of  service  in  reducing  losses  in  anthrax  localities.  All 
that  conduces  to  a  better  state  of  the  soil  should  be  attempted.  The 
State  or  Nation  should  do  its  share  in  preventing  frequent  inundations, 
by  appropriate  engineering.  If  pools  of  stagnant  water  exist  on  the 
pastures,  or  if  any  particular  portions  are  known  by  experience  to  give 
rise  to  anthrax,  they  should  be  fenced  off.  Efforts  should  likewise  be 
made  toward  the  proper  draining  of  swampy  lands  frequented  by  cat- 
tle. Sometimes  it  has  been  found  desirable  to  abandon  for  a  season 
any  infected  and  dangerous  pastures.  This  remedy  can  not  be  carried 
out  by  most  farmers,  and  it  is  liable  to  extend  the  infected  territory. 
In  some  instances  withdrawal  of  cattle  from  pastures  entirely  and 
feeding  them  in  stables  is  said  to  have  reduced  the  losses. 

It  is  of  the  utmost  importance  that  carcasses  of  animals  which  have 
died  of  anthrax  should  be  properly  disposed  of,  since  every  portion  of 
such  animal  contains  the  bacilli,  ready  to  form  spores  when  exposed  to 
the  air.  Perhaps  the  simplest  means  is  to  bury  the  carcasses  deep, 
where  they  can  not  be  exposed  by  dogs  or  wild  animals.  It  may  b© 
necessary  to  bury  them  on  the  pasture,  but  it  is  better  to  remove  them 
to  places  not  frequented  by  susceptible  animals  and  to  a  point  where 
drainage  from  the  graves  can  not  infect  any  water  supply. 

If  they  are  moved  some  distance  it  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  the 
ground  and  all  objects  which  have  come  in  contact  with  the  carcass 
should  be  disinfected.  This  is  best  accomplished  with  chlorid  of  lime. 
For  washing  utensils,  etc. ,  a  5  per  cent  solution  may  be  prepared  by 
adding  3  ounces  to  2  quarts  of  water.  This  should  be  prepared  fresh 
from  the  powder,  and  it  is  but  little  trouble  to  have  a  small  tin  measure 
of  known  capacity  to  dip  out  the  powder,  to  be  added  to  the  water 
whenever  necessary.  The  carcass  and  the  ground  should  be  sprin- 
kled with  powdered  chlorid,  or,  if  this  be  not  at  hand,  an  abundance 
of  ordinary  unslaked  lime  should  be  used  in  its  place. 

The  removal  of  carcasses  to  rendering  establishments  is  always 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  445 

fraught  with  danger,  unless  those  who  handle  them  are  thoroughly 
aware  of  the  danger  of  scattering  the  virus  by  careless  handling  in 
wagons  which  are  not  tight.  As  a  rule,  the  persons  in  charge  of  such 
transfer  have  no  training  for  this  important  work,  so  that  deep  burial 
is  to  be  preferred.  Burning  large  carcasses  is  not  always  feasible. 
It  is,  however,  the  most  certain  means  of  destroying  infectious  mate- 
rial of  any  kind,  and  should  be  resorted  to  whenever  practicable  and 
economical.  All  carcasses,  whether  buried,  rendered,  or  burned, 
should  be  disposed  of  without  being  opened.  When  stables  have 
become  infected  they  should  be  thoroughly  cleaned  out,  and  the  solu- 
tion of  chloride  of  lime  freely  applied  on  floors  and  woodwork.  The 
feed  should  be  carefully  protected  from  contamination  with  the 
manure  or  other  discharges  from  the  sick. 

(2)  Preventive  inoculation. — One  of  the  most  important  discoveries 
in  connection  with  this  disease  was  made  by  Louis  Pasteur  in  1881, 
and  consisted  in  the  new  principle  of  producing  immunity  by  the 
inoculation  of  weakened  cultures  of  the  bacillus  causing  the  disease. 
This  method  has  been  quite  extensively  adopted  in  France,  and  to 
some  extent  in  other  European  countries.,  and  in  the  United  States. 
The  fluid  used  for  inoculation  consists  of  bouillon  in  which  modified 
anthrax  bacilli  have  multiplied  and  are  present  in  large  numbers. 
The  bacilli  have  been  modified  by  heat  so  that  thej^  have  lost  to  a 
certain  degree  their  original  virulence.  Two  vaccines  are  prepared. 
The  first  or  weaker  for  the  first  inoculation  is  obtained  by  subjecting 
the  bacilli  to  the  attenuating  effects  of  heat  for  a  longer  period  of  time 
than  is  the  case  with  the  second  or  stronger  vaccine  for  a  second 
inoculation  some  twelve  days  later. 

These  vaccines  have  been  used  for  cattle  and  sheep.  Their  power 
to  prevent  a  subsequent  attack  of  anthrax  has  been  the  subject  of 
controversy  ever  since  their  use  began.  The  French  claim  that  the 
vaccines  are  successful  in  protecting  cattle  and  sheep  and  that  the 
losses  from  anthrax  in  France  have  been  much  reduced  by  their  per- 
sistent application.  According  to  other  observers  there  are  several 
difficulties  inherent  in  the  practical  application  of  anthrax  vaccina- 
tion. Among  these  may  be  mentioned  the  variable  degree  of  attenua- 
tion of  different  tubes  of  the  vaccine  and  the  varying  susceptibility 
of  the  animals  to  be  inoculated.  Nevertheless,  the  use  of  this  vac- 
cine is  increasing  and  has  reduced  the  mortality  in  the  affected  dis- 
tricts from  an  average  of  10  per  cent  with  sheep  to  less  than  1  per 
cent,  and  from  5  per  cent  with  cattle  to  less  than  one-half  of  1  per  cent. 

It  is  very  important  to  call  attention  to  the  possibility  of  distribut- 
ing anthrax  by  this  method  of  protective  inoculation,  since  the  bacilli 
themselves  are  present  in  the  culture  liquid.  It  is  true  that  they  have 
been  modified  and  weakened  by  the  process  adopted  by  Pasteur,  but 
it  is  not  impossible  that  such  modified  virus  may  regain  its  original 
virulence  after  it  has  been  scattered  broadcast  by  the  inoculation  of 


446  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

large  herds.  No  vaccination  should  therefore  be  permitted  in  locali- 
ties free  from  anthrax.  It  is  also  obviously  unsafe  to  have  such  vac- 
cine injected  by  a  layman ;  instead,  it  should  be  handled  only  by  a 
competent  veterinarian. 

Anthrax  is  an  entirely  different  disease  from  blackleg,  and  there- 
fore blackleg  vaccine  does  not  act  as  a  preventive  against  anthrax. 

ANTHRAX  IN  MAN  (MALIGNANT  PUSTULE,    OR  CARBUNCLE). 

Anthrax  may  be  transmitted  to  man  in  handling  the  carcasses  and 
hides  of  animals  which  have  succumbed  to  the  disease.  The  infection 
usually  takes  place  through  some  abrasion  or  slight  wound  of  the 
skin  into  which  the  anthrax  spores,  or  bacilli,  find  their  way.  The 
point  of  inoculation  appears  at  first  as  a  dark  point  or  patch,  com- 
pared by  some  writers  to  the  sting  of  a  flea.  After  a  few  hours  this 
is  changed  into  a  reddened  pimple,  which  bears  on  its  summit,  usually 
around  a  hair,  a  yellowish  blister,  or  vesicle,  which  later  on  becomes 
red  or  bluish  in  color.  The  burning  sensation  in  this  stage  is  very 
great.  Later  on,  this  pimple  enlarges,  its  center  becomes  dry,  gan- 
grenous, and  is  surrounded  by  an  elevated  discolored  swelling.  The 
center  becomes  drier  and  more  leather-like,  and  sinks  in  as  the  whole 
increases  in  size.  The  skin  around  this  swelling,  or  carbuncle,  is 
stained  yellow  or  bluish,  and  is  not  infrequently  swollen  and  doughy 
to  the  touch.  The  carbuncle  itself  rarely  grows  larger  than  a  pea  or 
a  small  nut,  and  is  but  slightly  painful. 

Anthrax  swellings,  or  edemas,  already  described  as  occurring  in  cat- 
tle, may  also  be  found  in  man,  and  they  are  at  times  so  extensive  as  to 
produce  distortion  in  the  appearance  of  the  part  of  the  body  on  which 
they  are  located.  The  color  of  the  skin  over  these  swellings  varies 
according  to  the  situation  and  thickness  of  the  skin  and  the  stage  of 
the  disease,  and  may  be  white,  red,  bluish,  or  blackish. 

As  these  carbuncles  and  swellings  may  lead,  sooner  or  later,  to  an 
infection  of  the  entire  body,  and  thus  be  fatal,  surgical  assistance 
should  at  once  be  called  if  there  is  well-grounded  suspicion  that  any 
swellings  resembling  those  described  above  have  been  due  to  inocula- 
tion with  anthrax  virus.  Inasmuch  as  physicians  differ  as  to  treat- 
ment of  such  accidents  in  man,  it  would  be  out  of  place  to  make  any 
suggestions  in  this  connection. 

To  show  that  the  transmission  of  anthrax  to  man  is  not  so  very 
uncommon,  we  take  the  following  figures  from  the  report  of  the  German 
Government  for  1890:  One  hundred  and  eleven  cases  were  brought  to 
the  notice  of  the  authorities,  of  which  11  terminated  fatally.  The 
largest  number  of  inoculations  were  due  to  the  slaughtering,  opening, 
and  skinning  of  animals  affected  with  anthrax.  Hence  the  butchers 
Buffered  most  extensively.  Of  the  111  thus  affected,  36  belonged  to 
this  craft. 

In  addition  to  anthrax  of  the  skin  (known  as  malignant  pustule), 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES   OF    CATTLE.  447 

human  beings  are  subject,  though  very  rarely,  to  the  disease  of  the 
lungs  and  the  digestive  organs.  In  the  former  case  the  spores  are 
inhaled  by  workmen  in  establishments  in  which  wool,  hides,  and  rags 
are  worked  over,  and  it  is  therefore  known  as  wool-sorter's  disease. 
In  the  latter  case  the  disease  is  contracted  by  eating  the  flesh  of  dis- 
eased animals  which  has  not  been  thoroughly  cooked.  These  forms 
of  the  disease  are  more  fatal  than  those  in  which  the  disease  starts 
from  the  skin. 

BLACKLEG." 

Blackleg,  blackquaiter,  quarter-ill,  symptomatic  anthrax,  charbon 
symptomatique  of  the  French,  Rauschbrand  of  the  Germans,  is  a 
rapidly  fatal  infectious  disease  of  young  cattle,  associated  with  external 
swellings  which  emit  a  crackling  sound  when  handled.  This  disease 
was  formerly  regarded  identical  with  anthrax,  but  investigations  car- 
ried out  by  various  scientists  in  recent  times  have  definitely  proved 
the  entire  dissimilarity  of  the  two  affections,  both  from  a  clinical  and 
causal  standpoint.  The  disease  is  produced  by  a  specific  bacillus, 
readily  distinguishable  from  that  causing  anthrax.  (PL  XXIX,  fig.  4. ) 
Cattle  between  6  months  and  2  years  of  age  are  the  most  susceptible. 
Sucking  calves  under  6  months  are  rarely  attacked,  nor  are  they  as 
susceptible  to  inoculation  as  older  animals.  Cattle  over  2  years  of 
age  may  become  affected,  but  such  cases  are  infrequent.  Sheep  and 
goats  may  also  contract  the  disease,  but  man,  horses,  hogs,  dogs, 
cats,  and  fowls  appear  to  be  immune. 

Like  anthrax,  blackleg  is  more  or  less  restricted  to  definite  localities. 
There  are  certain  pastures  upon  which  the  disease  regularly  appears 
in  the  summer  and  fall  of  the  year.  As  to  any  peculiarities  of  the 
soil  nothing  is  definitely  known.  Some  authors  are  inclined  to  regard 
moist,  undrained,  and  swampy  pastures  favorable  to  this  disease,  but 
these  theories  will  hardly  hold,  as  it  is  found  in  all  kinds  of  soils,  in 
all  altitudes,  at  all  seasons  of  the  year,  and  under  various  climatic 
conditions.  It  occurs  in  this  country  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific 
and  from  Mexico  to  Canada,  but  it  is  more  prevalent  in  the  Western 
and  Southwestern  States.  In  Europe  it  exists  in  France,  various 
parts  of  Germany,  in  Belgium,  Norway,  Denmark,  Italy,  and  on  the 
Alps  of  Switzerland.  In  Africa  it  occurs  in  Algeria  and  to  some 
extent  in  Natal  and  bordering  countries.  In  South  America  it  pre- 
vails quite  extensively  throughout  Argentina.  Cattle  in  Cuba  and 
Australia  also  suffer. 

The  cause  of  the  disease  is  a  bacillus  resembling  in  some  minor 
respects  the  anthrax  bacillus  and  differing  but  little  from  it  in  size. 
It  also  possesses  the  power  of  forming  within  itself  a  spore.     In 

«  For  detailed  information  regarding  blackleg  and  the  free  distribution  of  black- 
leg vaccine,  write  to  this  Department  for  Bureau  of  Animal  Industry  circulars 
Nos.  23  and  31. 


448  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

Plate  XXIX,  fig.  4,  this  is  represented  as  an  uncolored  spot  located  in 
one  end  of  the  rod,  which  is  enlarged  so  that  the  rod  itself  appears 
more  or  less  club-shaped.  What  has  already  been  stated  concerning 
the  significance  of  the  spore  of  the  anthrax  bacillus  applies  equally 
well  to  these  bodies.  They  resist  destructive  agents  for  a  consider- 
able length  of  time,  and  may  still  produce  disease  when  inoculated 
after  several  years  of  drying.  This  fact  may  account  for  the  occa- 
sional appearance  of  blackleg  in  stables.  In  order  to  meet  the 
requirements  for  the  development  of  the  spores,  which  only  takes 
place  in  the  absence  of  the  atmosphere,  it  is  necessary  that  the  wound 
be  very  small  and  deep  enough  to  penetrate  the  subcutaneous  tissue. 

Several  observers  have  found  this  organism  in  the  mud  of  swamps. 
By  placing  a  little  of  this  mud  under  the  skin  the  disease  has  been 
called  forth. 

Since  the  disease  may  be  produced  by  placing  under  the  skin  mate- 
rial containing  the  specific  bacilli  and  spores,  it  has  been  assumed 
that  cattle  contract  the  disease  through  wounds,  principally  of  the 
skin,  or  very  rarely  of  the  mouth,  tongue,  and  throat.  Slight  wounds 
into  which  the  virus  may  find  access  may  be  caused  by  barbed  wire, 
stubbles,  thorns,  briers,  grass  burs,  and  sharp  or  pointed  parts  of  food. 

The  symptoms  of  blackleg  may  be  either  of  a  general  or  a  local 
nature,  though  more  frequently  of  the  latter.  The  general  symptoms 
are  very  much  like  those  belonging  to  other  acute  infectious  or  bac- 
terial diseases.  They  begin  from  one  to  three  days  after  the  infec- 
tion has  taken  place  with  loss  of  appetite  and  of  rumination,  with 
dullness  and  debility,  and  a  high  fever.  The  temperature  may  rise  to 
107°  F.  To  these  may  be  added  lameness  or  stiffness  of  one  or  more 
limbs,  due  to  the  tumor  or  swelling  quite  invariably  accompanying 
the  disease.  After  a  period  of  disease  lasting  from  one  to  three  days 
the  affected  animal  almost  always  succumbs.  Death  is  preceded  by 
increasing  weakness,  difficult  breathing,  and  occasional  attacks  of 
violent  convulsions. 

The  most  important  characteristic  of  this  disease  is  the  appearance 
of  a  tumor  or  swelling  under  the  skin  of  the  affected  animal  a  few 
hours  after  the  setting  in  of  the  constitutional  symptoms  described 
above.  In  some  cases  it  may  appear  first.  This  tumor  may  be 
located  on  the  thighs  (hence  "blackleg,"  "blackquarter"),  the  neck, 
the  shoulder,  the  breast,  the  flanks,  or  the  rump;  never  below  the 
carpal  (or  knee)  and  the  hock  joint.  It  more  rarely  appears  in  the 
throat  and  at  the  base  of  the  tongue.  The  tumor,  at  first  small  and 
painful,  spreads  very  rapidly  both  in  depth  and  extent.  When  it  is 
stroked  or  handled  a  peculiar  crackling  sound  is  heard  under  the 
skin.  This  is  due  to  a  collection  of  gas  formed  by  the  bacilli  as  they 
multiply.  At  this  stage  the  skin  becomes  dry,  parchment-like,  and 
cool  to  the  touch  in  the  center  of  the  tumor.  If  the  swelling  is  cut 
into,  a  frothy,  dark-red,  rather  disagreeably  smeHing  fluid  is  dis- 


Diseases  of  Cattle 


Plate  xliv 


a 


a 


Section  of  Muscle  from  a  Blackleg  swelling. 
-q.  Gas  Bubbles. 
b,  Cavities  due  to  Gas  formation. 


Diseases  of  Cattle 


Plate  xlv 


■>1 


i 


m 


JSBIEN  *  CO.! 


Necrotic  Stomatitis  (Calf  Diphtheria) 
with  lesions  involvingtongueand  cheek 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  449 

charged.      The    animal    manifests    little    or    no    pain    during    the 
operation. 

As  it  is  frequently  desirable  to  know  whether  the  disease  is  anthrax 
or  blackleg,  a  few  of  the  most  obvious  postmortem  changes  may 
here  be  cited.  The  characteristic  tumor  with  its  crackling  sound 
when  stroked  has  already  been  described;  If  after  the  death  of  the 
animal  it  be  more  thoroughly  examined,  it  will  be  noted  that  the  tissue 
under  the  skin  is  infiltrated  with  blood  and  3-ellowish,  jelly-like  mate- 
rial and  gas  bubbles.  The  muscular  tissue  beneath  the  swelling  may 
be  brownish  or  black,  shading  into  dark  red.  (PI.  XLIV.)  It  is  soft 
and  easily  torn  and  broken  up.  The  muscle  tissue  is  distended  with 
numerous  smaller  or  larger  gas-filled  cavities,  often  to  such  an  extent 
as  to  produce  a  resemblance  to  lung  tissue.  Upon  incision  it  does 
not  collapse  perceptibly,  as  the  gas  cavities  are  not  connected  with 
each  other. 

In  the  abdomen  and  the  thorax  blood-stained  fluid  is  not  infre- 
quently found,  together  with  blood -staining  of  the  lining  membrane  of 
these  cavities.  Blood  spots  (or  ecchymoses)  are  also  found  on  the  heart 
and  lungs.     The  liver  is  congested,  but  the  spleen  is  always  normal. 

Differential  diagnosis. — Among  the  features  of  this  disease  which 
distinguish  it  from  anthrax  may  be  mentioned  the  unchanged  spleen 
and  the  ready  clotting  of  the  blood.  It  will  be  remembered  that  in 
anthrax  the  spleen  (milt)  is  very  much  enlarged,  the  blood  tarry, 
coagulating  feebly.  The  anthrax  carbuncles  and  swellings  differ  from 
the  blackleg  swellings  in  not  containing  gas,  in  being  hard  and  solid, 
and  in  causing  death  less  rapidly. 

It  is  difficult  to  distinguish  between  the  swellings  of  blackleg  and 
malignant  edema,  since  they  resemble  each  other  very  closely  and 
both  are  distended  with  gas.  Malignant  edema,  however,  generally 
starts  from  a  wound  of  considerable  size ;  it  usually  follows  surgical 
operations,  and  does  not  result  from  the  small  abrasions  and  pricks 
to  which  animals  are  subjected  in  pastures.  Inoculation  experiments 
of  guinea  pigs,  rabbits,  and  chickens  will  also  disclose  the  differences 
between  the  above  three  diseases,  since  all  of  these  species  are  killed 
by  the  germ  of  malignant  edema,  only  the  first  two  species  by  the 
anthrax  bacillus,  while  the  guinea  pigs  alone  will  succumb  to  the 
blackleg  infection.  Hemorrhagic  septicemia  may  be  differentiated 
from  blackleg  by  its  affecting  cattle  of  all  ages,  by  the  location  of  the 
swelling  usually  about  the  region  of  the  throat,  neck,  and  dewlap,  by  the 
soft,  doughy  character  of  these  swellings  without  the  presence  of  gas 
bubbles,  and  finally  by  the  characteristic  hemorrhages  widely  dis- 
tributed throughout  the  body.  Other  means  of  diagnosis,  which  have 
reference  to  the  specific  bacilli,  to  the  inoculable  character  of  the 
virus  upon  small  animals,  and  which  are  of  decisive  and  final  impor- 
tance, can  be  utilized  only  by  the  trained  bacteriologist  and  veteri- 
narian. 

61386—08 29 


450  DISEASES   OF    CATTLE. 

Treatment. — In  this  disease  remedies  have  thus  far  proved  una- 
vailing. Some  writers  recommend  the  use  of  certain  drugs,  which 
seem  to  have  been  beneficial  in  a  few  cases,  but  a  thorough  trial  has 
shown  them  to  be  valueless.  Others  advise  that  the  swelling  be 
opened  by  deep  and  long  incisions  and  a  strong  disinfectant,  such  as 
a  5  per  cent  solution  of  carbolic  acid,  applied  to  the  exposed  parts,  but 
this  procedure  can  not  be  too  strongly  condemned.  Since  nearly  all 
those  attacked  die  in  spite  of  every  kind  of  treatment,  and  in  view  of 
the  fact  that  the  germs  of  the  disease  are  scattered  over  the  stables  or 
pastures  when  these  tumors  are  opened,  thus  becoming  a  source  of 
danger  to  other  cattle,  it  is  obvious  that  such  measures  do  more  harm 
than  good  aud  should  be  put  aside  as  dangerous.  Bleeding,  nerving, 
roweling,  or  setoning  have  likewise  some  adherents,  but  the  evidence 
indicates  that  they  have  neither  curative  nor  preventive  value  and 
therefore  should  be  discarded  for  the  method  of  vaccination  which 
has  been  thoroughly  tried  out  and  proved  to  be  efficacious  in  prevent- 
ing the  disease. 

Prevention. — The  various  means  suggested  under  "Anthrax"  to  pre- 
vent the  spread  or  recurrence  of  this  disease  are  equally  applicable  to 
blackleg,  and  hence  do  not  need  to  be  repeated  here  in  full.  They 
consist  of  the  removal  of  the  animals  from  the  infected  pasture  to  a 
noninfected  field,  the  draining  of  the  swampy  ground,  the  burial  or 
burning  of  the  carcasses  to  prevent  the  dissemination  of  the  germs 
over  vast  areas  through  the  agency  of  dogs,  wolves,  buzzards,  and 
crows,  the  disinfection  of  the  stables  and  the  ground  where  the  ani- 
mals lay  at  the  time  of  death,  and,  if  possible,  the  destruction  of  the 
germs  on  the  infected  pastures.  One  of  the  most  effective  methods 
for  freeing  an  infected  pasture  from  blackleg  is  to  allow  the  grass  to 
grow  up  high,  and,  when  sufficiently  dry,  to  burn  it  off.  One  burn- 
ing off,  however,  is  not  sufficient  to  redeem  an  infected  pasture,  but 
the  process  should  be  repeated  several  years  in  succession.  This 
method,  however,  is  in  many  instances  impracticable,  as  few  cattle 
owners  can  afford  to  practice  it,  and  the  only  means  left  for  the  pro- 
tection of  the  animals  is  vaccination. 

Immunization  by  vaccination. — Three  French  veterinarians,  Arlo- 
ing,  Cornevin,  and  Thomas,  were  the  first  to  discover  that  cattle  may 
be  protected  against  blackleg  by  inoculation  with  virulent  material 
obtained  from  animals  which  have  died  of  this  disease.  Later  they 
devised  a  method  of  inoculation  with  the  attenuated  or  weakened 
blackleg  spores  which  produced  immunity  from  natural  or  artificial 
inoculation  of  virulent  blackleg  germs.  Their  method  has  undergone 
various  modifications  both  in  regard  to  the  manufacture  of  the  vac- 
cine and  in  the  mode  of  its  application.  Kitt,  a  German  scientist, 
modified  the  method  so  that  but  one  inoculation  of  the  vaccine  was 
required  instead  of  two,  as  was  the  case  with  that  made  by  the  French 
investigators.     The  vaccine  prepared  and  distributed  by  the  Bureau 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  451 

of  Animal  Industry  combines  the  principle  of  Arloing,  Cornevin,  and 
Thomas  and  the  modification  of  Kitt. 

By  vaccination  we  understand  the  injection  into  the  system  of  a 
minute  amount  of  attenuated — that  is,  artificially  weakened — blackleg 
virus.  This  virus  is  obtained  from  animals  which  have  died  from 
blackleg,  by  securing  the  affected  muscles,  cutting  them  into  strips, 
and  drying  them  in  the  air.  When  they  are  perfectly  dry  they  are 
pulverized  and  mixed  with  water  to  form  a  paste,  smeared  in  a  thin 
layer  on  flat  dishes,  placed  in  an  oven,  and  heated  for  six  hours  at  a 
temperature  close  to  that  of  boiling  water.  The  paste  is  then  trans- 
formed into  a  hard  crust,  which  is  pulverized  and  sifted  and  distrib- 
uted in  packages  containing  either  10  or  25  doses.  This  constitutes 
the  vaccine,  the  strength  of  which  is  thoroughly  tested  on  experiment 
animals  before  it  is  distributed  among  the  cattle  owners.  This  vac- 
cine, which  is  in  the  form  of  a  brownish  dry  powder,  is  mixed  with 
definite  quantities  of  sterile  water,  filtered,  and  the  filtrate  injected  by 
means  of  a  hypodermic  syringe  under  the  skin  in  front  of  the  shoul- 
der of  the  animal  to  be  vaccinated.  The  inoculation  is  usually  fol- 
lowed by  insignificant  symptoms.  In  a  few  cases  there  is  a  slight 
rise  of  temperature,  and  by  close  observation  a  minute  swelling  may 
be  noted  at  the  point  of  inoculation.  The  immunity  conferred  in 
this  way  may  last  for  eighteen  months,  but  animals  vaccinated  before 
they  are  6  months  old  and  those  in  badly  infected  districts  should  be 
revaccinated  before  the  following  blackleg  season. 

The  effect  of  the  vaccine  prepared  by  this  Bureau  in  preventing 
outbreaks  of  the  disease  and  in  immediately  abating  outbreaks  already 
in  progress  has  been  highly  satisfactory,  and  it  is  not  to  be  doubted 
that  thousands  of  young  cattle  have  been  saved  to  the  stock  owners 
during  the  six  and  a  half  years  in  which  the  vaccine  has  been  dis- 
tributed. More  than  7,700,000  doses  have  been  sent  out  during  this 
period,  and  from  reports  received  it  is  safe  to  conclude  that  more  than 
one-half  of  this  quantity  has  actually  been  injected,  whereby  the  per- 
centage of  loss  from  blackleg  has  been  reduced  from  10,  15,  or  20  per 
cent,  which  annually  occurred  before  using,  to  less  than  1  per  cent  per 
annum.  With  these  figures  before  us  it  is  plain  that  the  general 
introduction  of  preventive  vaccination  must  be  of  material  benefit  to 
the  cattle  raisers  in  the  infected  districts.  Moreover,  there  is  every 
reason  to  believe  that  with  the  continued  use  of  blackleg  vaccine  in 
all  districts  where  the  disease  is  known  to  occur  and  an  earnest  effort 
on  the  part  of  the  stock  owners  to  prevent  the  reinfection  of  their 
pastures  by  following  the  directions  given,  blackleg  may  be  kept  in 
check  and  gradually  eradicated. 

NECROTIC  STOMATITIS   (CALF  DIPHTHERIA). 

Necrotic  stomatitis  is  an  acute,  specific,  highly  contagious  inflam- 
mation of  the  mouth,  occurring  in  young  cattle  and  characterized, 


452  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

locally,  by  the  formation  of  ulcers  and  caseo-necrotic  patches  and  by 
constitutional  symptoms,  chiefly  toxic. 

This  disease  has  also  been  termed  calf  diphtheria,  gangrenous 
stomatitis,  ulcerative  stomatitis,  malignant  stomatitis,  tubercular 
stomatitis,  and  diphtheric  patches  of  the  oral  mucous  membrane. 

History. — During  the  last  few  years  farmers  and  cattlemen  in  this 
country,  especially  in  Colorado,  Texas,  and  South  Dakota,  have 
increasingly  noted  the  occurrence  of  enzootics  of  "sore  mouth  "  among 
the  young  animals  of  their  herds.  Instead  of  healing,  like  the  usual 
forms,  of  themselves,  these  cases,  if  untreated,  die.  Careful  study  of 
some  of  them  has  resulted  in  their  identification  with  cases  reported 
in  1877  by  Dammann,  from  the  shore  of  the  Baltic;  in  1878  by  Blaze- 
kowic,  in  Slavonia;  in  1879  by  Vollers,  in  Holstein;  in  1880  by  Leng- 
len,  in  France;  in  1881  by  Macgillivray,  in  England,  and  in  1884  by 
Loffler,  who  isolated  and  described  the  microorganism  which  produces 
the  disease.  Bang  obtained  this  organism  from  the  diphtheritic  lesions 
of  calves  in  1890,  and  Kitt  likewise  recovered  the  bacillus  from  similar 
lesions  of  the  larynx  and  pharynx  of  calves  and  pigs  in  1893. 

Etiology. — The  cause  of  necrotic  stomatitis,  as  demonstrated  by 
Loffler  and  since  confirmed  by  other  investigators,  is  Bacillus  necro- 
phorus,  often  spoken  of  as  the  bacillus  of  necrosis.  This  organism 
varies  in  form  from  a  coccoid  rod  to  long,  wavy  filaments,  which  may 
reach  a  length  of  100  yu;  the  width  varies  from  0.75  }x  to  1  //.  Hence 
it  is  described  as  polymorphic.  It  does  not  stain  by  Gram,  but  takes 
the  ordinary  aniline  dyes,  often  presenting,  especially  the  longer  forms, 
a  beaded  appearance.  A  characteristic  of  the  organism,  of  great 
moment  when  we  come  to  treatment,  is  that  it  grows  only  in  the 
absence  of  oxygen,  from  which  fact  it  is  described  as  an  obligate 
anaerobe. 

Very  few  organisms  exhibit  a  wider  range  of  pathogenesis.  Accord- 
ing to  clinical  observation  up  to  the  present  time,  Bacillus  necroplwrus 
is  pathogenic  for  cattle,  horses,  hogs,  sheep,  reindeer,  kangaroos,  ante- 
lope, and  rabbits.  Experimentally  it  has  been  proved  pathogenic  for 
rabbits  and  white  mice.  The  dog,  cat,  guinea  pig,  pigeon,  and  chicken 
appear  to  be  absolutely  immune.     It  is  not  pathogenic  for  man. 

The  importance  of  this  bacillus  is  far  beyond  even  its  relation  to 
necrotic  stomatitis.  Besides  this  disease  it  has  been  demonstrated  as 
the  causative  factor  in  foot  rot,  multiple  liver  abscesses,  disseminated 
liver  necrosis,  embolic  necrosis  of  the  lungs,  necrosis  of  the  heart,  in 
cattle;  gangrenous  pox  of  the  teats,  diphtheria  of  the  uterus  and 
vagina,  in  cows;  diphtheritic  inflammation  of  the  small  intestine  of 
calves.  Among  horses  it  is  the  agent  in  the  production  of  necrotic 
malanders,  quittor,  and  diphtheritic  inflammation  of  the  large  intes- 
tine. In  hogs  it  has  caused  necrotic  or  diphtheritic  processes  in  the 
mucous  membrane  of  the  mouth,  necrosis  of  the  anterior  wall  of  the 


INFECTIOUS   DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  45H 

nasal  septum,  and  pulmonary  and  intestinal  necrosis,  accompanying 
hog  cholera.  Abscesses  of  the  liver,  gangrenous  processes  of  the  lips 
and  nose,  and  gangrenous  affections  of  the  hoof  have  all  been  caused 
in  sheep  by  this  organism. 

Pathology. — The  principal  lesions  in  necrotic  stomatitis  occur  in  the 
mucous  membrane  of  the  mouth  and  pharynx.  The  alterations  may 
extend  to  the  nasal  cavities,  the  larynx,  the  trachea,  the  lung,  the 
esophagus,  the  intestines,  and  to  the  hoof.  The  oral  surfaces  affected 
are,  in  the  order  of  frequency,  tongue,  cheeks,  hard  palate,  gums, 
lips,  and  pharynx.  In  the  majority  of  cases  the  primary  infection 
seems  to  occur  in  the  tongue.     (PL  XLV.) 

Infection  takes  place  by  inoculation.  Some  abrasion  or  break  in 
the  continuity  of  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  mouth  occurs.  Very 
likely  the  origin  may  be  connected  with  the  eruption  of  the  first  teeth 
after  birth,  or,  in  animals  somewhat  older,  the  entrance  of  a  sharp- 
pointed  particle  of  food.  Gaining  an  entrance  at  this  point,  the  bacilli 
begin  to  multiply.  During  their  development  they  elaborate  a  toxin, 
or  poisonous  substance,  which  causes  the  death,  or  necrosis,  of  the  epi- 
thelial, or  superficial,  layer  of  the  mucous  membrane  and  also  of  the 
white  blood  cells  which  have  sallied  forth  through  the  vessel  walls  to 
the  defense  of  the  tissues  against  the  bacillary  attack.  This  destruc- 
tion of  the  surface  epithelium  seems  to  be  the  essential  factor  in  the 
production  of  the  caseous  patch,  often  called  the  false  membrane. 
From  the  connective  tissue  framework  below  is  poured  forth  an  inflam- 
matory exudate  highly  albuminous  or  rich  in  fibrin-forming  elements. 
When  this  exudate  and  the  necrosed  cellular  elements  come  in  con- 
tact, the  latter  furnish  a  fibrin  ferment  which  transforms  the  exudate 
into  a  fibrinous  mass.  This  process  is  known  as  coagulation  necrosis, 
and  the  resulting  fibroid  mass,  containing  in  its  meshes  the  necrosed 
and  degenerated  epithelium  and  leucocytes,  constitutes  the  diphtheric 
or  false  membrane.  Did  the  process  cease  at  this  point  it  would  be 
properly  called  a  diphtheric  inflammation.  But  it  does  not.  A  case- 
ating  ferment  is  supplied  by  the  bacilli,  and  this,  acting  upon  the 
fibroid  patch,  transforms  it  into  a  dry,  finely  granular,  yellowish  mass 
of  tissue  detritus  resembling  cheese. 

Frequently  this  caseous  inflammation  results  in  the  formation  of 
one  or  more  ulcers  with  thickened,  slightly  reddened  borders,  sur- 
mounted by  several  layers  of  this  necrosed  tissue.  The  floor  of  the 
ulcer  is  formed  by  a  grayish  yellow,  corroded  surface,  under  which 
the  tissue  is  transformed  into  a  dry  friable  or  firm  cheesy  mass. 
In  the  tongue  this  may  progress  to  two  fingers'  thickness  into  the 
muscular  portion;  in  the  cheek  it  may  form  an  external  opening, 
permitting  fluids  to  escape  from  the  mouth;  upon  tha  palate  it  fre- 
quently reaches  and  includes  the  bone  in  its  destructive  course;  upon 
the  gums  it  has  produced  necrosis  of  the  tooth  sockets,  causing  loss 
of  the  teeth.     In  the  advanced  forms,  caseous  foci  may  be  seen  in  the 


454  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

lung  and  in  the  liver  and  necrotic  patches  observed  on  the  mucous 
membrane  of  the  gastro-intestinal  tract. 

Symptoms. — Necrotic  stomatitis  is  both  a  local  and  a  systemic 
affection.  Primarily  it  is  local.  The  local  lesion  is  the  caseo-necrotic 
patch  or  ulcer  developed  as  a  result  of  the  multiplication  of  the 
bacilli  at  the  point  of  inoculation.  The  general  affection  is  an  intoxi- 
cation, or  poisoning,  of  the  whole  system  produced  by  a  soluble  toxin 
elaborated  by  the  bacilli. 

The  stage  of  incubation  is  from  three  to  five  days.  The  first  symp- 
toms noted  are  a  disinclination  to  take  nourishment,  some  drooling 
from  the  mouth,  and  an  examination  of  the  mouth  will  show  on  some 
portion  of  its  mucous  membrane  a  circumscribed  area  of  infiltration 
and  redness,  possibly  an  erosion.  The  latter  gradually  extends  in 
size  and  depth,  forming  a  sharply  circumscribed  area  of  necrotic 
inflammation.  It  may  measure  anywhere  from  the  size  of  a  five-cent 
piece  to  that  of  a  dollar  or  even  larger.  It  has  the  appearance  of  a 
corroded  surface,  under  which  the  mucous  membrane  or  muscular 
tissue  seems  transformed  into  a  dry  friable  or  firm  cheesy  mass.  It 
is  grayish  yellow  in  color  and  is  bordered  by  a  zone  of  thickened  tissue 
slightly  reddened  and  somewhat  granulated.  The  necrotic  tissue  is 
very  adherent  and  can  be  only  partially  peeled  off.  It  is  homogene- 
ous, cheesy,  and  may  extend  two  fingers' depth  into  the  tissues  beneath. 
The  general  symptoms  are  languor,  weakness,  and  slight  fever.  In 
spite  of  plenty  of  good  food  the  calf  is  seen  to  be  failing.  It  stops 
sucking,  or,  if  older,  altogether  refuses  to  eat.  The  temperature  at 
this  time  may  be  from  104°  to  107°  F.  The  slabber  becomes  pro- 
fuse, swallowing  very  difficult,  opening  of  the  mouth  quite  painful, 
and  a  most  offensive  odor  is  exhaled.  The  tongue  is  swollen  and  its 
motion  greatly  impaired.  Sometimes  the  mouth  is  kept  open,  permit- 
tin  the  tumefied  tongue  to  protrude.  One  or  more  of  the  above 
symptoms  direct  the  attention  to  the  mouth  as  the  seat  of  disease; 
or,  having  noticed  the  debility  and  disinclination  to  eat,  an  examina- 
tion of  the  animal  may  show  a  lump  under  the  neck  or  swelling  of 
the  throat  or  head.  The  following  extract  from  a  letter  is  character- 
istic : 

I  noticed  my  calves  beginning  to  fail  about  the  first  week  in  December,  but 
could  not  account  for  it,  as  they  were  getting  plenty  of  grain  and  bay.  My  atten- 
tion was  first  attracted  by  a  swelling  under  the  neck  of  one  of  the  calves.  I  cast 
the  animal  and  found  it  was  food  that  had  collected  and  the  animal  couldn't 
swallow  it.  I  removed  it,  and  in  so  doing  noticed  a  large  ulcer  on  the  tongue  and 
a  very  offensive  odor.  This  was  the  first  knowledge  I  had  of  anything  being 
wrong  with  the  calves'  mouths.  They  may  have  been  sick  for  some  time  before 
this. 

Out  of  a  herd  of  100  belonging  to  this  man,  70  were  affected,  and  the 
letter  emphasizes  the  insidious  character  of  the  onset. 

The  general  affection  at  this  time  manifests  itself  by  dejectedness, 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES   OF    CATTLE.  455 

extreme  weakness  and  emaciation,  constant  lying  down,  with  stiffness 
and  marked  difficulty  in  standing. 

The  disease  frequently  extends  to  the  nasal  cavities,  producing  a 
thin,  yellowish  or  greenish  yellow,  sticky  discharge  which  adheres 
closely  to  the  borders  of  the  nostrils.  Their  edges  also  show  caseous 
patches  similar  to  those  in  the  mouth.  Sometimes  the  nasal  passage 
is  obstructed  by  great  masses  of  the  necrosed  exudate,  thus  causing 
extreme  difficulty  in  breathing.  When  the  caseous  process  involves 
the  larynx  and  trachea  there  result  cough,  wheezing,  and  dyspnea, 
together  with  a  yellowish  mucopurulent  expectoration. 

When  life  is  prolonged  three  or  four  weeks,  caseous  foci  may  be 
established  in  the  lung,  giving  rise  to  all  the  signs  of  a  broncho-pneu- 
monia. Many  of  these  cases  are  associated  with  a  fibrinous  pleurisy. 
The  invasion  of  the  gastrointestinal  tract  is  announced  by  diarrheal 
symptoms.  This  disease  principally  attacks  sucklings  not  over  6 
weeks  of  age,  but  calves  8  and  10  months  old  are  frequently  affected, 
and  several  cases  in  adult  cattle  have  been  reported  to  this  office. 

In  its  very  acute  form  many  of  the  cases  run  their  course  in  from 
five  to  eight  days.  In  these  the  local  lesions  are  not  strongly  marked, 
and  death  seems  due  to  an  acute  intoxication.  In  other  enzootics 
the  majority  of  the  affected  animals  live  from  three  to  five  weeks. 
These  are  the  cases  that  occasionally  present  the  pulmonary  and  intes- 
tinal symptoms,  and  sometimes  develop  also  caseonecrotic  lesions  in 
the  liver. 

Ordinarily  cases  show  no  tendency  to  spontaneous  cure.  Left  to 
themselves  they  die.  On  the  contrary,  if  taken  in  hand  early  the  dis- 
ease is  readily  amenable  to  treatment.  In  the  latter  event  the  pros- 
pects of  recovery  are  excellent. 

Differential  diagnosis. — Necrotic  stomatitis  may  be  differentiated 
from  foot-and-mouth  disease  by  the  fact  that  in  the  latter  disease 
there  is  a  rapid  infection  of  the  entire  herd,  including  the  adult  cattle, 
as  well  as  the  infection  of  hogs  and  sheep.  The  characteristic  lesion 
of  foot-and-mouth  disease  is  the  appearance  of  vesicles  containing  a 
serous  fluid  upon  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  mouth  and  upon  the 
udder,  teats,  and  feet  of  the  affected  animals.  In  necrotic  stomatitis 
vesicles  are  never  formed,  necrosis  occurring  from  the  beginning  and 
followed  by  the  formation  of  yellowish  cheesy  patches  principally 
found  in  the  mouth.  Mycotic  stomatitis  occurs  in  only  a  few  animals 
of  the  herd,  chiefly  the  adult  cattle,  and  the  lesions  produced  consist 
of  an  inflammation  of  the  mouth  and  lips  and  of  the  thin  skin  between 
the  toes,  followed  in  a  few  days  by  small  irregular  ulcers  in  the  month. 
This  disease  appears  sporadically,  usually  in  the  early  fall  after  a  dry 
summer,  does  not  run  a  regular  course,  and  can  not  be  inoculated. 

Prevention. — Prophylaxis  should  be  carried  out  along  three  lines: 

(1)  Separation  of  the  sick  from  the  healthy  animals. 

(2)  Close  scrutiny  and  thorough  disinfection  once  or  twice  daily  for 


456  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

five  days  of  the  mouths  and  nasal  passages  of  those  animals  that  have 
been  exposed. 

(3)  Complete  disinfection  of  all  stalls  and  sheds. 

The  disease  appears  to  break  out  in  winter  and  hold  over  to  spring. 
It  is  conceivable  that  exposure  to  cold  might  so  disturb  the  normal 
circulation  of  the  oral  tissues  as  to  make  the  mucous  membrane  an 
excellent  location  for  the  causative  factor  of  the  disease.  There  is 
another  possibility,  however,  which  bears  on  the  third  line  of  prophy- 
laxis. The  so-called  diphtheric  inflammations  of  the  vagina  and 
uterus  in  cows  are  caused  by  the  same  organism  that  induces  necrotic 
stomatitis.  A  recent  European  writer  has  pointed  out  the  almost 
constant  relation  of  such  attacks  to  previous  occurrences  of  foul  foot 
or  foot  rot  in  the  same  or  other  cattle  on  the  place. 

In  all  likelihood  the  stalls  and  sheds  are  the  harborers,  in  such  cases, 
of  this  germ.  It  is  possible  that  many  of  these  outbreaks  of  necrotic 
stomatitis  have  some  relation  to  preceding  cases  of  the  above-men- 
tioned diseases  and  the  greater  use  in  winter  of  the  stalls  and  sheds, 
thus  harboring  the  Bacillus  necrophorus. 

Treatment. — The  treatment  consists  almost  solely  in  careful  and 
extensive  cleansing  and  disinfection  of  the  mouth  and  other  affected 
surfaces.  The  mucous  membrane  of  the  mouth  should  be  copiously 
irrigated  with  a  2  per  cent  solution  of  creolin  in  warm  water.  This 
should  be  performed  at  least  twice  daily.  Since  exposure  to  oxygen 
kills  the  bacilli,  one  need  have  no  fear  about  disturbing  or  tearing  off 
the  caseous  patches  or  necrotic  tissue  during  irrigation.  The  irriga- 
tion of  the  sores  should  then  be  followed  by  the  application  with  a 
brush  or  rag  on  a  stick  of  a  paste  made  with  1  part  of  salicylic  acid 
and  10  parts  of  water,  or  the  affected  areas  may  be  painted  with 
Lugol's  solution  of  iodin  (iodin,  1;  potassium  iodid,  5;  water,  200). 
Frequent  injections  into  the  mouth  of  1  per  cent  carbolic- acid  solu- 
tion make  an  excellent  treatment.  The  internal  administration  of  2 
grams  of  salicylic  acid  and  3  grams  of  chlorate  of  potash  three  times 
a  day  has  also  proved  very  beneficial  when  accompanied  by  local 
antiseptic  treatment. 

MALIGNANT   CATARRH. 

Malignant  catarrh,  or  infectious  catarrhal  fever,  is  an  acute  infectious 
disease  of  cattle  preeminently  involving  the  respiratory  and  digestive 
tracts,  although  the  sinuses  of  the  head,  the  eyes,  and  the  urinary 
and  sexual  organs  are  very  frequently  affected.  It  is  relatively  rare 
in  this  country,  being  more  common  on  the  continent  of  Europe. 
Outbreaks  have  occurred,  however,  in  Minnesota,  New  York,  and 
New  Jersey.  The  causal  agent  of  the  disease  has  as  yet  never  been 
isolated,  and  inoculation  experiments  with  the  view  of  artificially 
reproducing  the  disease  have  proven  negative  in  every  case.  In  spite 
of  the  foregoing  statements  the   consensus  of   opinion  of   eminent 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  457 

investigators  points  to  malignant  catarrh  as  being  of  specific  origin; 
that  is,  due  to  some  form  of  microorganism  the  contagious  character 
of  which  is  poorly  developed.  This  accounts  for  the  slow  transmissi- 
bility  of  the  disease  from  one  animal  to  another.  In  fact,  malignant 
catarrh  is  a  type  of  that  class  of  affections  which  are  scientifically 
known  as  miasmatic  diseases;  that  is,  they  remain  stationary  in 
stables  with  damp  floors,  low  ceilings,  poor  ventilation,  and  bad  sani- 
tary conditions  in  general.  Such  places  furnish  a  favorable  seat  of 
propagation  for  the  infective  material,  and  it  will  remain  active  for  a 
long  period  of  time,  causing  the  loss  of  a  few  animals  each  year. 
One  European  veterinarian  reports  an  instance  where  this  disease 
remained  for  twenty-five  years  on  the  same  farm,  attacking  in  all  225 
animals,  with  a  mortality  of  about  98  per  cent. 

The  disease  is  most  common  in  late  winter  and  early  spring,  at  all 
altitudes,  and  has  a  special  preference  for  young,  well-nourished 
cattle,  although  older  animals  are  not  immune.  The  time  elapsing 
between  the  entrance  of  the  infective  principle  into  the  body  of  the 
animal  and  the  appearance  of  the  first  symptoms  is  relatively  very 
long  and,  according  to  German  investigators,  averages  from  twenty  to 
thirty  days.  Fortunately,  it  is  not  a  disease  .which  spreads  to  any 
great  extent,  or  which  causes  severe  losses,  and  hence  legislative 
enactments  do  not  seem  to  be  necessary  for  its  restriction. 

Symptoms. — These  are  extremely  variable  according  to  the  point  of 
localization  of  the  lesions.  It  is  usually  ushered  in  with  a  chill,  fol- 
lowed by  a  marked  rise  of  temperature  (104°  to  107°  F.).  The  head 
droops,  the  skin  is  hot  and  dry,  and  the  coat  staring.  Quivering  of 
the  muscles  in  various  parts  of  the  body  is  frequently  observed. 
Marked  dullness  of  the  animal  passing,  according  to  some  observers, 
into  an  almost  stupefied  condition  later  on,  is  quite  common.  The 
secretion  of  milk  stops  in  the  beginning  of  the  disease,  and  loss  of 
flesh,  invariably  associated  with  the  disease,  is  extremely  marked  and 
rapid.  The  lesions  of  the  eyes  may  best  be  likened  to  moon  blindness 
(periodic  ophthalmia)  in  horses. 

There  is  first  an  abundant  secretion  of  tears,  which  run  down  over 
the  face.  The  lids  are  swollen  and  inflamed,  and  indeed  this  may  be  so 
marked  as  to  cause  involuntary  eversion,  exposing  the  reddened  con- 
junctiva to  view.  Sunlight  is  painful,  as  is  shown  by  the  fact  that 
the  animal  keeps  the  eyes  continuously  closed.  This  inflammation 
may  extend  to  the  cornea,  causing  it  to  assume  a  slight  clouded 
appearance  in  mild  cases  or  a  chalky  whiteness  in  more  severe  affec- 
tions. Cases  of  ulceration  of  the  cornea  followed  by  perforation  and 
subsequent  escape  of  the  aqueous  humor,  leading  to  shrinking  of  the 
eyeball  and  permanent  loss  of  sight,  have  been  recorded;  but  these 
are  relatively  rare,  although  slight  inflammation  of  the  deeper  struc- 
tures of  the  eye  (iris)  are  more  frequent.  This  inflammation  may 
undergo  complete  resolution  in  mild  cases,  but  more  frequently  per- 


458  DISEASES   OF   CATTLE. 

mane  at  cloudiness  of  the  cornea  either  diffuse  or  in  spots  (leucoma) 
is  the  result.  The  mucous  membrane  of  the  mouth,  nose,  sinuses  of 
the  head,  throat,  and  lower  respiratory  passages  are  also  involved.  It 
is  first  catarrhal  in  character,  but  soon  a  false  or  diphtheritic  mem- 
brane is  formed,  with  the  production  of  shallow  ulcers.  There  is 
dribbling  of  saliva  from  the  mouth  and  discharge  from  the  nose,  which 
is  at  first  watery,  becoming  thicker  and  mixed  with  blood  and  small 
masses  of  cast-off  croupous  membrane,  causing  a  very  fetid  odor. 
These  croupous  areas  when  they  form  in  the  throat,  larynx,  or  wind- 
pipe may  lead  to  narrowing  of  these  passages,  with  consequent  diffi- 
cult breathing  and  even  suffocation.  Various  respiratory  murmurs 
may  also  be  heard,  caused  by  the  to-and-fro  movement  of  mucus  and 
inflammatory  deposits  along  the  air  passages.  There  is  also  inflam- 
mation of  the  horn  core  with  consequent  loosening  of  the  horn  shell, 
and  the  horns  are  thus  readily  knocked  off  by  the  uneasy,  blind  suf- 
ferer. The  animal  may  refuse  all  food  from  the  time  of  the  initial  rise 
of  temperature,  or  in  less  severe  cases,  and  especially  when  the  lesions 
of  the  digestive  tract  are  not  so  marked,  the  appetite  may  remain 
until  the  disease  is  well  advanced.  Constipation  is  quite  common  at 
the  commencement  of  the  attack,  followed  by  diarrhea  and  severe 
straining,  the  evacuations  becoming  very  soft,  fetid,  and  streaked 
with  blood.  Cases  have  been  reported  of  the  evacuation  of  desqua- 
mated patches  of  diphtheritic  membrane  from  the  intestinal  mucosa 
6  to  9  feet  in  length.  The  kidnej's  and  bladder  are  usually  inflamed, 
the  urine  being  voided  with  difficulty  and  the  animal  evincing  signs 
of  pain.  Inflammatory  elements,  as  albumen,  casts,  etc.,  may  be  seen 
on  examination  of  the  urine.  In  cows  the  mucous  membrane  of  the 
vestibule  is  congested,  swollen,  and  may  contain  ulcers  and  an  exces- 
sive quantity  of  mucus.  Abortion  is  not  infrequent,  following  a 
severe  attack  during  advanced  pregnancy.  In  connection  with  these 
various  symptoms  there  may  be  much  uneasiness  on  the  part  of  the 
animal,  leading  in  some  cases  to  madness  and  furious  delirium,  in 
others  to  spasms  and  convulsions  or  paralysis.  A  vesicular  eruption 
of  the  skin  may  occur,  seen  principally  between  the  toes  and  on  the 
inside  of  the  flank  and  in  the  armpits,  with  subsequent  loss  of  hair 
and  epidermis. 

Like  other  infectious  diseases,  malignant  catarrh  pursues  a  longer 
or  shorter  course  in  accordance  with  the  severity  of  the  attack.  In 
acute  cases  death  is  said  to  take  place  three  to  seven  days  after  the 
appearance  of  symptoms.  Recovery,  if  it  occurs,  may  take  three  or 
four  weeks.  According  to  statistics,  from  50  to  90  per  cent  of  the 
affected  animals  die. 

If  animals  which  have  died  of  this  disease  be  examined,  there  will 
be  occasionally  found,  in  addition  to  the  changes  of  the  mucous  mem- 
brane of  mouth  and  nasal  cavities  referred  to  above,  shallow  ulcers  in 
these  situations.     These   necrotic   processes   may  pass  beneath  the 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  459 

mucous  membrane  and  even  involve  the  underlying  bony  structure. 
In  severe  cases  membranous  (croupous)  deposits  are  found  in  the 
throat.  Similar  deposits  have  been  found  upon  the  mucous  mem- 
brane of  the  fourth  stomach  and  intestine,  which  is  always  inflamed. 
There  is  more  or  less  inflammation  of  the  membranes  of  the  brain, 
kidneys,  liver,  and  some  fatty  degeneration  of  the  voluntary  muscles. 
In  countries  where  rinderpest  occasionally  appears  it  maybe  difficult 
to  distinguish  between  it  and  malignant  catarrh,  owing  to  a  general 
similarity  of  the  symptoms.  The  principal  points  to  be  observed  in 
differentiating  between  the  two  diseases  are  the  very  slight  transmis- 
sibility  of  the  latter  as  compared  with  the  intense  contagiousness  of 
the  former,  and  the  tendency  of  malignant  catarrh  to  run  a  more 
chronic  course  than  rinderpest,  which  usually  results  fatally  in  a  very 
few  days.  Only  a  trained  veterinarian  who  takes  into  consideration 
all  the  different  symptoms  and  lesions  of  both  diseases  should  decide 
in  such  cases. 

Treatment. — There  is  no  specific  treatment  for  this  affection.  How- 
ever, copious  blood  letting  in  the  earliest  stages  has  been  highly  rec- 
ommended, as  this  has  a  tendency  to  deplete  the  system  and  lessen 
the  exudation  of  inflammatory  products.  Antiseptic  washes,  as  cre- 
olin,  2  to  4  per  cent  solution,  or  lysol,  5  per  cent  solution,  applied  to 
the  nose,  eyes,  and  mouth  with  ice  poultices  over  the  crest  of  the 
head  and  frontal  region  have  also  proved  efficacious.  Calomel  should 
also  be  given  in  1-dram  doses  twice  a  day  for  three  days,  and  in 
severe  cases,  involving  the  respiratory  tract,  a  powder  containing 
ferrous  sulphate,  quinine,  and  subnitrate  of  bismuth,  given  twice  a 
day,  will  be  found  beneficial.  At  the  same  time  it  must  be  remem- 
bered that  much  greater  success  is  to  be  looked  for  in  the  preventive 
treatment.  This  consists  in  the  removal  of  the  healthy  from  the 
infected  animals  (not  vice  versa)  and  thorough  cleaning  and  disin- 
fecting of  the  contaminated  stables.  If  the  floors  are  low  and  damp, 
they  should  be  raised  and  made  dry.  If  this  can  not  be  done,  place 
a  layer  of  cement  under  the  stable  floor  to  prevent  water  from  enter- 
ing from  below.  The  stable  should  be  well  ventilated  and  the  soil  in 
the  pastures  thoroughly  drained.  If  this  is  carefulljT  carried  out,  the 
contagion  should  be  destroyed  and  the  danger  of  the  reappearance  of 
the  disease  in  a  great  measure  lessened. 

MALIGNANT   EDEMA. 

Malignant  edema,  also  termed  gangrenous  septicemia,  is  an  acute 
inflammatory  disease  of  domestic  and  wild  animals,  resulting  from 
the  introduction  of  a  specific  organism  into  the  deep  connective  tissues 
of  a  susceptible  animal  and  proving  fatal  in  many  instances  within 
twenty-four  to  forty-eight  hours.  The  disease  may  be  inoculated  from 
one  animal  to  another,  but  only  by  inserting  the  virus  deeply  below  the 
skin.     It  is  infrequently  met  with  in  cattle,  but  may  follow  operating 


460  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

wounds,  as  roweling,  castration,  and  phlebotomy,  which  have  become 
infected  with  septic  matter,  soil,  or  unclean  instruments.  The  organ- 
ism has  also  been  obtained  in  this  laboratory  from  the  infected  muscles 
of  a  calf  that  was  supposed  to  have  died  of  blackleg,  and,  as  a  result, 
all  blackleg  virus  is  thoroughly  tested  before  it  is  made  into  blackleg 
vaccine  in  order  to  exclude  the  malignant  edema  organism.  The  essen- 
tial cause  of  malignant  edema  is  a  long,  slender,  motile,  spore-bearing 
bacillus,  resembling  the  bacillus  of  blackleg,  and  which  can  only 
develop  in  the  absence  of  the  atmosphere.  Unlike  the  bacilli  of 
anthrax  and  blackleg,  which  are  confined  to  certain  districts,  this 
organism  is  widely  distributed  and  found  in  ordinary  garden  soil,  foul 
water,  and  in  the  normal  intestinal  tract  of  the  herbivora.  It  may  be 
brought  to  the  surface  of  the  soil  by  growing  plants,  rains,  winds,  or 
burrowing  insects  and  rodents.  In  animals  that  have  succumbed  to 
the  disease  the  germ  is  confined  to  the  seat  of  infection,  but  a  few 
hours  after  death  it  may  migrate  to  other  parts  of  the  body  through 
the  blood  channels.  The  bacillus  may  attack  man,  horses,  asses, 
goats,  sheep,  pigs,  cats,  dogs,  and  poultry.  Adult  cattle,  although 
refractory  to  experimental  inoculation,  suffer  from  natural  infection 
while  calves  are  susceptible  to  both  of  these  methods  of  exposure. 
(Kitt).  The  introduction  of  the  bacillus  into  abrasions  of  the  skin 
and  superficial  sores  rarely  does  any  harm,  because  the  germ  is  quickly 
destroyed  by  contact  with  air.  If,  however,  the  organisms  are  inserted 
deeply  into  the  subcutaneous  tissues  of  susceptible  animals,  they 
quickly  develop,  producing  a  soluble  poison,  which  is  the  fatal  agent. 

In  lamb-shearing  season,  or  after  docking  or  castration,  the  mor- 
tality is  higher  among  these  animals  because  of  wounds  inflicted  at 
such  times.  The  application  of  antiseptics  to  wounds  thus  made  will 
reduce  the  percentage  of  deaths  to  a  minimum. 

Symptoms. — Usually  the  first  symptoms  are  overlooked.  In  the 
early  stages  the  animal  appears  listless,  disinclined  to  move  about, 
and  seeks  tha  shady  and  quiet  places  to  lie  down.  If  forced  to  move 
about,  the  hind  legs  are  drawn  forward  with  a  peculiar  stiff  dragging 
movement  and  there  may  be  slight  muscular  trembling  all  over  the 
body,  which  becomes  more  intense  as  the  disease  progresses.  When 
driven,  the  animal  shows  signs  of  fatigue,  ultimately  dropping  to  the 
ground  completely  exhausted.  Breathing  becomes  fast  and  painful, 
with  frequent  spasmodic  jerks. 

The  pulse  is  quick  and  weak  and  the  temperature  is  106°  to  107°  F. 
An  edematous,  doughy,  and  painful  swelling  appears  at  the  point  of 
infection.  This  tumefaction  spreads  more  and  more  and  will  crackle 
on  pressure.  In  case  of  an  open  wound  a  fetid,  liquid,  and  frothy 
discharge  is  observed.  The  center  of  the  swelling  may  appear  soft 
and  jelly-like,  while  the  margin  is  tense,  hot,  and  painful.  The  symp- 
toms increase  rapidly,  resulting  in  coma  and  death. 

Lesions. — After  death  the  fat  and  subcutaneous  tissues  surrounding 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES   OF    CATTLE.  461 

the  infected,  area  are  infiltrated  with  a  yellow  gelatinous  material  con- 
taining an  orange-colored  foam,  due  to  the  presence  of  gas  bubbles. 
The  muscles  at  this  point  are  friable,  spongy,  and  of  a  uniform  brown- 
ish tint,  disassociated  by  gas  and  a  blood-tinged  exudate.  This  gan- 
grenous tissue,  when  present  before  death,  can  be  removed  without 
pain  to  the  animal.  The  intestines  are  generally  normal,  but  they, 
together  with  the  peritoneum,  may  be  inflamed,  and  the  lungs  are 
usually  the  seat  of  an  edema.  The  spleen,  liver,  and  kidneys  retain 
their  normal  appearance,  in  marked  contrast  with  anthrax. 

Differential  diagnosis. — Unlike  blackleg  this  disease  never  appears 
as  an  epizootic  but  in  isolated  cases.  It  may  also  be  differentiated 
from  the  former  by  the  history  of  a  recent  parturition  or  surgical 
operation,  by  the  presence  of  an  external  injury  at  the  site  of  the  swell- 
ing accompanied  by  a  fetid  liquid  discharge,  and  the  gangrenous 
appearance  of  the  tumefaction.  Man  is  susceptible  to  malignant 
edema,  but  not  to  blackleg.  Malignant  edema  may  also  be  easily  dif- 
ferentiated from  anthrax  in  that  the  blood  and  spleen  are  normal  in 
appearance,  while  in  the  latter  disease  the  blood  is  dark  and  of  a  tar- 
like consistency  and  the  spleen  appears  swollen,  injected,  and  softened. 
The  local  tumor  in  malignant  edema  contains  gas  bubbles,  while  in 
anthrax  swellings  these  are  absent.  Inoculation  experiments  of  guinea 
pigs,  rabbits,  and  chickens  will  also  disclose  the  differences  among 
the  above  three  diseases,  since  all  of  these  species  are  killed  by  the 
germ  of  malignant  edema,  only  the  first  two  species  by  the  anthrax 
bacillus,  while  the  guinea  pigs  alone  will  succumb  to  the  blackleg 
infection. 

Treatment. — Treatment  is  chiefly  surgical  and  consists  in  laying 
the  infected  areas  wide  open  by  free  incision,  followed  by  a  liberal 
application  of  a  30  per  cent  solution  of  hydrogen  dioxide  and  subse- 
quently a  5  per  cent  solution  of  carbolic  acid.  Usually  the  disease 
when  observed  has  advanced  to  such  an  extent  that  medicinal  inter- 
ference is  without  avail.  Preventive  treatment  is  by  far  the  most 
desirable,  and  consists,  essentially,  in  a  thorough  disinfection  of  all 
accidental  and  surgical  wounds,  the  cleansing  of  the  skin,  and  the 
exclusion  of  soil,  filth,  and  bacteria  during  surgical  operations  of  any 
nature.  Sheds,  barns,  and  stables  should  receive  a  thorough  applica- 
tion of  quicklime  or  crude  carbolic-acid  wash  after  all  rubbish  has 
been  removed  and  burned.  All  animals  should  be  burned  or  deeply 
buried  and  covered  well  with  quicklime. 

SOUTHERN   CATTLE   FEVER    (TEXAS  FEVER). 

(Pis.  XLVI  to  LI,  inclusive.) 

This  disease,  which  is  more  commonly  known  as  splenetic,  or  Texas, 
fever,  is  a  specific  fever  communicated  by  cattle  which  have  recently 
been  moved  northward  from  the  infected  district,  or  which  is  con- 
tracted by  cattle  taken  into  the  infected  district  from  other  parts  of 


462  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

the  world.  It  is  characterized  by  the  peculiarity  among  animal  dis- 
eases that  the  animals  which  disseminate  the  infection  are  apparently 
in  good  health,  while  those  which  sicken  and  die  from  it  do  not,  as  a 
rule,  infect  others. 

It  is  accompanied  by  high  fever,  greatly  enlarged  spleen,  destruction 
of  the  red-blood  corpuscles,  escape  of  the  coloring  matter  of  the  blood 
through  the  kidneys,  giving  the  urine  a  deep- red  color,  by  a  yellowness 
of  the  mucous  membranes  and  fat,  which  is  seen  more  especially  in  fat 
cattle,  by  a  rapid  loss  of  strength,  and  by  fatal  results  in  a  large  pro- 
portion of  cases. 

This  disease  has  various  names  in  different  sections  of  the  country 
where  it  frequently  appears.  It  is  often  called  Spanish  fever,  acclima- 
tion fever,  red  water,  black  water,  distemper,  murrain,  dry  murrain, 
yellow  murrain,  bloody  murrain,  Australian  tick  fever,  and  tristeza 
of  South  America. 

The  earliest  accounts  we  have  of  this  disease  date  back  to  1814,  when 
it  was  stated  by  Dr.  James  Mease,  before  the  Philadelphia  Society  for 
Promoting  Agriculture,  that  the  cattle  from  a  certain  district  in  South 
Carolina  so  certainly  disease  all  others  with  which  they  mix  in  their 
progress  to  the  North  that  they  are  prohibited  by  the  people  of  Vir- 
ginia from  passing  through  the  State;  that  these  cattle  infect  others 
while  they  themselves  are  in  perfect  health,  and  that  cattle  from 
Europe  or  the  interior  taken  to  the  vicinity  of  the  sea  are  attacked 
by  a  disease  that  generally  proves  fatal.  Similar  observations  have 
been  made  in  regard  to  a  district  in  the  southern  part  of  the  United 
States  indicated  by  the  shaded  area  on  the  map,  Plate  LI.  The 
northern  limits  of  this  area  are  changed  yearly  as  a  result  of  the  dis- 
semination or  eradication  of  the  cattle  tick  along  the  border,  but  the 
infected  area  has  gradually  decreased,  owing  to  the  successful  en- 
deavors pushed  forward  to  eliminate  the  ticks. 

It  was  the  frequent  and  severe  losses  following  the  driving  of  cattle 
from  the  infected  district  in  Texas  into  and  across  the  Western  States 
and  Territories  which  led  to  the  disease  being  denominated  Texas 
fever.  It  is  now  known,  however,  that  the  infection  is  not  peculiar  to 
Texas  or  even  to  the  United  States,  but  that  it  also  exists  in  southern 
Europe,  Central  and  South  America,  Australia,  South  Africa,  and  the 
West  Indies. 

When  cattle  from  other  sections  of  the  country  are  taken  into  the 
infected  district  they  contract  this  disease  usually  during  the  first 
summer,  and  if  they  are  adult  animals,  particularly  milch  cows  or  fat 
cattle,  nearly  all  die.  Calves  are  much  more  likely  to  survive.  The 
disease  is  one  from  which  immunity  is  acquired,  and  therefore  calves 
which  recover  are  not  again  attacked,  as  a  rule,  even  after  they  become 
adult. 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES   OP    CATTLE.  463 

When  the  infection  is  disseminated  beyond  the  permanently  infected 
district,  the  roads,  pastures,  pens,  and  other  inclosures  are  dangerous 
for  susceptible  animals  until  freezing  weather.  The  infection  then 
disappears,  and  cattle  may  be  driven  over  the  grounds  or  kept  in  the 
inclosures  the  succeeding  summer  and  the  disease  will  not  reappear. 
There  are  some  exceptions  to  this  rule  in  the  section  just  north  of  the 
boundary  line  of  the  infected  district.  In  this  locality  the  infection 
sometimes  resists  the  winters,  especially  when  these  are  mild. 

In  regard  to  the  manner  in  which  the  disease  is  communicated, 
experience  shows  that  this  does  not  occur  by  animals  coming  near  or 
in  contact  with  each  other.  It  is  an  indirect  infection.  The  cattle 
from  the  infected  district  first  infect  the  pastures,  roads,  pens,  cars, 
etc.,  and  the  susceptible  cattle  obtain  the  virus  second  hand  from 
these.  Usually  animals  do  not  contract  this  disease  when  separated 
from  infected  pastures  by  a  fence.  If,  however,  there  is  any  drain- 
age or  washing  by  rains  across  the  line  of  fence  this  rule  does  not  hold 
good. 

The  investigations  made  by  the  Bureau  of  Animal  Industry  demon- 
strate that  the  ticks  which  adhere  to  cattle  from  the  infected  district 
are  the  only  known  means  of  conveying  the  infection  to  the  bodies  of 
susceptible  cattle.  The  infection  is  not  spread  by  the  saliva,  the 
urine,  or  the  manure  of  cattle  from  the  infected  district.  In  studying 
the  causation  and  prevention  of  this  disease,  attention  must  there- 
fore be  largely  given  to  the  ticks,  and  it  now  seems  apparent  that  if 
cattle  could  be  freed  from  this  parasite  when  leaving  the  infected  dis- 
trict they  would  not  be  able  to  cause  the  malady.  The  discovery  of 
the  connection  of  the  ticks  with  the  production  of  the  disease  has 
played  a  very  important  part  in  determining  the  methods  that  should 
be  adopted  in  preventing  its  spread.  It  established  an  essential  point 
and  indicated  many  lines  of  investigation  which  have  yielded  and  are 
still  likely  to  yield  very  important  results. 

Nature  of  the  disease. — Texas  fever  is  caused  by  an  organism  which 
lives  within  tne  red-blood  corpuscles  and  breaks  them  up.  It  is  there- 
fore simply  a  blood  disease.  The  organism  does  not  belong  to  the 
bacteria  but  to  the  protozoa.  It  is  not.  in  other  words,  a  microscopic 
plant,  but  it  belongs  to  the  lowest  forms  of  the  animal  kingdom. 
This  very  minute  organism  multiplies  very  rapidly  in  the  body  of  the 
infected  animal,  and  in  acute  cases  causes  an  enormous  destruction 
of  red  corpuscles  in  a  few  days.  How  it  gets  into  the  red  corpuscle 
it  is  not  possible  to  state,  but  it  appears  that  it  enters  as  an  exceed- 
ingly minute  body,  probably  endowed  with  motion,  and  only  after  it 
has  succeeded  in  entering  the  corpuscle  does  it  begin  to  enlarge. 
Plate  XL VII,  fig.  4,  illustrates  an  early  stage  of  this  blood  parasite. 
The  red  corpuscle  contains  a  very  minute  roundish  body  which  is 
stained  blue  to  bring  it  into  view.  The  body  is,  as  a  rule,  situated 
near  the  edge  of  the  corpuscle.     Fig.  5  illustrates  an  older  stage  in 


464  DISEASES   OF    CATTLE. 

the  growth  of  the  parasite,  in  fact  the  largest  which  has  thus  far  been 
detected.  It  will  be  noticed  that  there  are  usually  two  bodies  in  a 
corpuscle.  These  bodies  are  in  general  pear-shaped.  The  narrow 
ends  are  always  toward  each  other  when  two  are  present  in  the  same 
corpuscle.  If  we  bear  in  mind  that  the  average  diameter  of  the  red- 
blood  corpuscles  of  cattle  is  from  ^-gVg-  to  -5^0  inch,  the  size  of  the 
contained  parasite  may  be  at  once  appreciated  by  a  glance  at  the  fig- 
ures referred  to. 

The  various  disease  processes  which  go  on  in  Texas  fever,  and 
which  we  may  observe  by  examining  the  organs  after  death,  all  result 
from  the  destruction  of  the  red  corpuscles.  This  destruction  may  be 
extremely  rapid  or  slow.  When  it  is  rapid  we  have  the  acute,  usu- 
ally fatal,  type  of  Texas  fever,  which  is  always  witnessed  in  the  height 
of  the  Texas-fever  season;  that  is,  during  the  latter  weeks  of  August 
and  the  early  weeks  of  September.  When  the  destruction  of  corpus- 
cles is  slower,  a  mild,  usually  nonfatal,  type  of  the  disease  is  called 
forth,  which  is  only  witnessed  late  in  autumn  or  more  rarely  in  July 
and  the  early  part  of  August.  Cases  of  the  mild  type,  occurring  thus 
early  usually  become  acute  later  on  and  terminate  fatally. 

The  acute  disease  is  fatal  in  most  cases,  and  the  fatality  is  due  not 
so  much  to  the  loss  of  blood  corpuscles  as  to  the  difficulty  which  the 
organs  have  in  getting  rid  of  the  waste  products  arising  from  this 
wholesale  destruction.  How  great  this  may  be  a  simple  calculation 
will  serve  to  illustrate.  If  we  take  a  steer  weighing  1,000  pounds,  the 
blood  in  its  body  will  amount  to  about  50  pounds,  if  we  assume  that 
the  blood  represents  one-twentieth  of  the  weight  of  the  body,  a  rather 
low  estimate.  According  to  experimental  determination  at  the  Bureau 
Station,  which  consists  in  counting  the  number  of  blood  corpuscles 
in  a  given  quantit}^  of  blood  from  day  to  day  in  such  an  animal,  the 
corpuscles  contained  in  from  5  to  10  pounds  of  blood  may  be  destroyed 
within  twenty-four  hours.  The  remains  of  these  corpuscles  and  the 
coloring  matter  in  them  must  either  be  converted  into  bile  or  excreted 
unchanged.  The  result  of  this  effort  on  the  part  of  the  liver  causes 
extensive  disease  of  this  organ.  The  bile  secreted  by  the  liver  cells 
contains  so  much  solid  material  that  it  stagnates  in  the  finest  bile 
canals  and  chokes  these  up  completely.  This  in  turn  interferes  with 
the  nutrition  of  the  liver  cells  and  they  undergo  fatty  degeneration 
and  perish.  The  functions  of  the  liver  are  thereby  completely  sus- 
pended and  death  is  the  result.  This  enormous  destruction  of  corpus- 
cles takes  place  to  a  large  extent  in  the  kidneys,  where  a  great  number 
of  corpuscles  containing  the  parasites  are  always  found  in  acute  cases. 
This  accounts  largely  for  the  blood-colored  urine  or  red  water  which 
is  such  a  characteristic  feature  of  Texas  fever.  The  corpuscles  them- 
selves are  not  found  in  the  urine ;  it  is  the  red  coloring  matter,  or 
hemoglobin,  which  leaves  them  when  they  break  up  and  passes  into 
the  urine. 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES   OF    CATTLE.  465 

Symptoms. — After  a  period  of  exposure  to  infected  soil,  which  may 
vary  from  thirteen  to  ninety  days,  and  which  will  be  more  fully  dis- 
cussed further  on  under  the  subject  of  cattle  ticks  as  bearers  of  the 
Texas-fever  parasite,  the  disease  first  shows  itself  in  dullness,  loss  of 
appetite,  and  a  tendency  to  leave  the  herd  and  stand  or  lie  down  alone. 
A  few  days  before  these  symptoms  appear  the  presence  of  a  high  fever 
may  be  detected  by  the  clinical  thermometer.  The  temperature  rises 
from  a  normal  of  101°  to  103°  F.  to  106°  and  107°  F.  There  seems  to 
be  little  or  no  change  in  temperature  until  recovery  or  death  ensues. 
The  period  of  high  temperature  or  fever  varies  considerably.  As  it 
indicates  the  intensity  of  the  disease  process  going  on  within,  the 
higher  it  is  the  more  rapid  the  fatal  end.  When  it  does  not  rise  above 
104°  F.  the  disease  is  milder  and  more  prolonged. 

The  bowels  are  mostly  constipated  during  the  fever;  toward  the 
end  the  feces  may  become  softer  and  rather  deeply  tinged  with  bile. 
The  urine  shows  nothing  abnormal  during  the  course  of  the  disease 
until  near  the  fatal  termination,  when  it  may  be  deeply  stained  with 
the  coloring  matter  of  the  blood.  (Hemoglobinuria;  see  PI.  XLVII, 
fig.  3. )  Although  this  symptom  is  occasionally  observed  in  animals 
which  recover,  yet  it  may  generally  be  regarded  as  an  indication  of 
approaching  death.  The  pulse  and  respiration  are  usually  much  more 
rapid  than  during  health. 

O'  er  symptoms  in  addition  to  those  mentioned  have  been  described 
by  observers,  but  they  do  not  seem  to  be  constant,  and  only  the  above 
are  nearly  always  present.  As  the  end  approaches  emaciation  becomes 
very  marked,  the  blood  is  very  thin  and  watery,  and  the  closing  of 
any  wound  of  the  skin  by  clots  is  retarded.  The  animal  manifests 
increasing  stupor  and  may  lie  down  much  of  the  time  Signs  of 
delirium  have  been  observed  in  some  cases.  Death  occurs  most  fre- 
quently in  the  night. 

The  course  of  the  diseafse  is  very  variable  in  duration.  Death  may 
ensue  in  from  three  days  to  several  weeks  after  the  beginning  oi  the 
fever.  Those  that  recover  ultimately  do  so  very  slowly,  owing  to  the 
great  poverty  of  the  blood  in  red  corpuscles.  The  flesh  is  regained 
but  very  gradually,  and  the  animal  may  be  subjected  to  a  second 
though  mild  attack  later  on  in  the  autumn,  which  pushes  the  full 
recovery  onward  to  the  beginning  of  winter. 

In  the  mild  type  of  the  disease,  which  occurs  in  October  and  Novem- 
ber, symptoms  of  disease  are  well-nigh  absent.  There  is  little  if  any 
fever,  and  if  it  were  not  for  loss  of  flesh  and  more  or  ,ess  dullness  the 
disease  might  pass  unnoticed,  as  it  undoubtedly  does  in  a  majority  of 
cases.  If,  however,  the  blood  corpuscles  be  counted  from  time  to 
time  a  gradually  diminishing  number  will  be  found,  and  after  several 
weeks  only  about  one-fifth  or  one-sixth  of  the  normal  number  are 
present.  It  is,  indeed,  surprising  how  little  impression  upon  the  ani- 
mal this  very  impoverished  condition  of  the  blood  appeal's  to  make. 
It  is  probable,  however,  that  if  two  animals  kept  under  the  same  con- 
61386—08 30 


46 G  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

ditions,  one  healthy  and  the  other  at  the  end  of  one  of  these  mild 
attacks,  be  weighed,  the  difference  would  be  plainly  shown. 

PcMwlogical  changes  observable  after  death. — In  the  preceding  pages 
some  of  these  have  already  been  referred  to  in  describing  the  nature 
of  the  disease.  It  is  very  important  at  times  to  determine  whether  a 
certain  disease  is  Texas  fever  or  some  other  disease,  like  anthrax,  for 
example.  This  fact  can,  as  a  rule,  be  determined  at  once  by  a  thorough 
microscopic  examination  of  the  blood.  The  necessary  apparatus  and 
the  requisite  qualifications  for  this  task  leave  this  method  entirely  in 
the  hands  of  experts.  There  is,  however,  a  considerable  number  of 
changes  caused  by  this  disease  which  may  be  detected  by  the  naked 
eye  when  the  body  has  been  opened.  These,  put  together,  make  a 
mistake  quite  impossible.  The  presence  of  small  ticks  on  the  skin  of 
the  escutcheon,  the  thighs,  and  the  udder  is  a  very  important  sign  in 
herds  north  of  the  Texas- fever  line,  as  it  indicates  that  they  have  been 
brought  in  some  manner  from  the  South  and  carried  the  disease  with 
them,  as  will  be  explained  later.  Another  very  important  sign  is  the 
thin,  watery  condition  of  the  blood,  either  just  before  death  or  when 
the  fever  has  been  present  for  four  or  five  days.  A  little  incision  into 
the  skin  will  enable  anyone  to  determine  this  point.  Frequently  the 
skin  is  so  poor  in  blood  that  it  may  require  several  incisions  to  draw 
a  drop  or  more. 

The  changes  in  the  internal  organs,  as  found  on  postmortem  exami- 
nations, are  briefly  as  follows :  The  spleen,  or  milt,  is  much  larger  than 
in  healthy  animals.  It  may  weigh  three  or  four  times  as  much.  When 
it  is  incised  the  contents  or  pulp  is  blackish  (see  PL  XL VI,  fig.  1),  and 
may  even  well  out  as  a  disintegrated  mass.  The  markings  of  the 
healthy  spleen  (fig.  2)  are  all  effaced  by  the  enormous  number  of  blood 
corpuscles  which  have  collected  in  the  spleen  and  to  which  the  enlarge- 
ment is  due.  Next  to  the  spleen  the  liver  will  arouse  our  attention. 
(See  PI.  XL VII,  fig.  2.)  It  is  larger  than  in  the  healthy  state,  has  lost 
its  natural  brownish  color  (fig.  1),  and  now  has  on  the  surface  a  paler 
yellowish  hue.  When  it  is  incised  this  yellowish  tinge  or  mahogany 
color,  as  it  has  been  called  by  some,  is  still  more  prominent.  This  is 
due  to  the  large  amount  of  bile  in  the  finest  bile  capillaries,  and  as 
these  are  not  uniformly  filled  with  it  the  cut  surface  has  a  more  or  less 
mottled  appearance.  This  bile  injection  causes  in  many  cases  a  fatty 
degeneration  of  the  liver  cells,  which  makes  the  organ  appear  still 
lighter  in  color. 

In  all  cases  the  gall  bladder  should  be  examined.  This  is  distended 
with  bile,  which  holds  in  suspension  a  large  quantity  of  yellow  flakes, 
so  that  when  it  is  poured  into  a  tall  bottle  to  settle  fully  one-half  or 
more  of  the  column  of  fluid  will  be  occupied  by  a  layer  of  flakes.  If 
mucus  is  present  at  the  same  time,  the  bile  may  become  so  viscid  that 
when  it  is  poured  from  one  glass  to  another  it  forms  long  bands.  The 
bile  in  health  is  a  limpid  fluid  containing  no  solid  particles. 

If  the  animal  has  not  been  observed  during  life  to  pass  urine  colored 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES   OF    CATTLE.  467 

with  blood  or  red  water,  the  bladder  should  be  opened.  This  quite 
invariably,  in  acute  cases,  contains  urine  which  varies  in  color  from  a 
deep  port  wine  to  a  light  claret.  In  many  cases  the  color  is  so  dense 
that  light  will  not  pass  through  even  a  thin  layer.  (PI.  XLVII,  fig.  3.) 
The  kidneys  are  always  found  congested  in  the  acute  attack.  The 
disease  exerts  but  little  effect  on  the  stomach  and  intestines  beyond 
more  or  less  reddening  of  the  mucous  membrane;  hence  an  exami- 
nation of  these  may  be  safely  omitted.  The  lungs  are,  as  a  rule,  not 
diseased.  The  heart  usually  shows  patches  of  blood  extravasation  on 
the  inside  (left  ventricle),  and  less  markedly  on  the  outer  surface. 

We  have  observed  jaundice  of  the  various  tissues  but  very  rarely. 
It  has  been  observed  by  some  quite  regularly,  however. 

During  the  hot  season  about  90  per  cent  of  the  susceptible  mature 
animals  from  a  noninf ected  district  die,  but  later,  in  the  cool  weather, 
the  disease  assumes  a  milder  type,  with  a  consequent  decrease  in  the 
number  of  deaths. 

The  cattle  tick,  Margaropus  annulatus,  as  the  carrier  of  Texas  fever. 
(Pis.  XL VIII,  XLIX,  and  L.)— The  cattle  tick  is,  as  its  name  indi- 
cates, a  parasite  of  cattle  in  the  southern  part  of  the  United  States. 
It  belongs  to  the  group  of  Arthropoda  and  to  the  genus  Margaropus 
(Boophilus),  which  is  included  in  the  order  Acarina.  Its  life  history 
is  quite  simple  and  easily  traced  from  one  generation  to  another.  It 
is  essentially  a  parasite,  attaching  itself  to  the  skin  (PL  XLIX)  and 
drawing  the  blood  of  its  host.  It  is  unable  to  come  to  maturity  and 
reproduce  its  kind  unless  it  becomes  attached  to  the  skin  of  cattle, 
whence  it  may  obtain  its  food. 

The  eggs  laid  on  the  ground  after  the  female  has  dropped  from  the 
host  begin  to  develop  at  once.  When  the  embryo  is  fully  formed 
within  the  shell  it  ruptures  this  and  gains  its  freedom.  The  time 
required  from  the  laying  of  the  eggs  to  their  hatching  varies  consid- 
erably, according  to  the  temperature.  In  the  laboratory  in  the  heat 
of  midsummer  this  was  accomplished  in  about  thirteen  days.  In  the 
late  fall,  under  the  same  conditions,  it  required  from  four  to  six  weeks. 
The  larva  after  emerging  from  the  egg  is  very  minute,  six -legged,  and 
just  visible  to  the  naked  eye.  (PI.  XLVTII,  fig.  3.)  If  these  larvae 
be  kept  on  a  layer  of  moist  sand  or  earth  in  a  covered  dish,  they  may 
remain  alive  for  months,  but  there  is  no  appreciable  increase  in  size. 
As  soon,  however,  as  they  are  placed  upon  cattle  growth  begins. 

On  pastures  these  little  creatures  soon  find  their  way  onto  cattle. 
They  attach  themselves  by  preference  to  the  tender  skin  on  the 
escutcheon,  the  inside  of  the  thighs,  and  on  the  base  of  the  udder. 
Yet  when  they  are  very  numerous  they  may  be  found  in  small  num- 
bers on  various  parts  of  the  body,  such  as  the  neck,  the  chest,  and 
the  ears.     (PI.  XLIX.) 

The  changes  which  they  undergo  during  their  parasitic  existence 


468  •  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

were  first  studied  by  Dr.  Cooper  Curtice  in  1889.  The  young  tick 
within  a  week  molts,  and  the  second  or  nymphal  stage  of  the  para- 
site's life  is  thus  ushered  in.  After  this  change  ;t  has  four  pairs  of 
legs.  Within  another  week  another  molt  takes  place  by  which  the 
tick  passes  from  the  nymphal  to  the  sexual,  or  adult,  stage.  Impreg- 
nation now  takes  place,  and,  with  the  development  of  the  ova  in  the 
body,  the  animal  takes  an  increased  quantity  of  blood,  so  that  it 
becomes  very  much  larger  in  a  few  days.  That  the  rapid  growth  is 
due  to  the  blood  taken  in  may  be  easily  proved  by  crushing  one.  The 
intestine  is  distended  with  a  thick,  tarry  mass  composed  of  partly 
digested  blood.  When  the  female  has  reached  a  certain  stage  of 
maturity  she  drops  to  the  ground  and  begins  to  lay  a  large  number  of 
eggs,  which  hatch  in  the  time  given  above. 

The  life  of  the  cattle  tick  is  thus  spent  largely  on  cattle,  and 
although  the  young,  or  larvse,  may  live  for  a  long  time  on  the  ground 
in  the  summer  season,  they  can  not  mature  excepting  as  parasites  on 
cattle  and  horses.  We  have  purposely  omitted  various  details  of  the 
life  history,  including  that  of  the  male,  as  they  are  not  necessary  to 
an  understanding  of  our  present  subject — Texas  fever.  How  this  is 
transmitted  we  will  proceed  to  consider. 

Southern  cattle  sent  North  during  the  spring  and  summer  months 
carry  on  their  bodies  large  numbers  of  the  cattle  tick.  These  when 
matured  drop  off  and  lay  their  eggs  on  Northern  pastures.  These 
hatch,  and  the  young  tick  soon  gets  upon  any  Northern  cattle  which 
happen  to  be  on  the  pasture.  As  soon  as  they  have  attached  them- 
selves to  the  skin  they  inoculate  the  cattle,  and  Texas  fever  breaks 
out  a  week  or  more  thereafter.  For  many  years  there  had  been  a 
growing  suspicion  that  the  cattle  tick  was  in  some  way  concerned  in 
the  spread  of  Texas  fever,  and  the  facts  which  supported  this  suppo- 
sition finally  became  so  numerous  and  convincing  that  a  series  of 
experiments  were  inaugurated  by  the  Bureau  of  Animal  Industry 
which  served  to  show  that  the  tick  was  abundantly  able  to  carry  the 
disease  to  a  herd  of  healthy  cattle,  and  in  fact  was  probably  the  only 
agent  concerned  in  the  transmission  of  the  disease  from  Southern 
cattle  to  susceptible  Northern  animals. 

The  regulations  which  have  been  enacted  by  the  Department  of 
Agriculture  for  the  control  of  cattle  shipments  from  the  infected  dis- 
tricts have  for  their  initial  purpose  the  prevention  of  the  transporta- 
tion of  cattle  ticks  from  infected  regions  to  those  that  are  noninfected, 
either  upon  cattle  or  in  stock  cars  or  other  conveyer,  and  the  exclu- 
sion of  these  parasites  from  noninfected  territory  has  in  every  instance 
been  found  a  certain  method  of  excluding  Texas  fever. 


INFECTIOUS   DISEASES   OE   CATTLE.  469 

INJURIOUS   EFFECTS   OF   CATTLE   TICKS. 

Many  cattle  owners  who  have  always  been  accustomed  to  see  both 
ticks  and  ticky  cattle  on  their  farms  are  unfortunately  not  inclined 
to  attach  much  importance  to  cattle  ticks,  and,  as  a  rule,  through 
lack  of  appreciation  of  their  damaging  effects,  placidly  consider  them 
as  of  little  consequence.  That  ticks  may  be  detrimental  to  their  hosts 
in  several  ways  has  probably  not  suggested  itself  to  these  stockmen, 
who  are  most  vitally  affected,  and  it  therefore  seems  necessary  to 
emphasize  the  fact  that,  in  addition  to  their  relation  to  Texas  fever, 
they  may  also  be  injurious  to  cattle  as  external  parasites.  While 
the  power  of  transmitting  Texas  fever  is  undoubtedly  the  most  dan- 
gerous property  possessed  by  the  cattle  tick  and  is  the  principal 
cause  for  adopting  stringent  measures  in  securing  its  complete  eradi- 
cation, nevertheless  there  still  remain  other  good  reasons  for  the 
accomplishment  of  this  achievement.  These  secondary  objections  to 
the  presence  of  ticks  on  cattle  consist  in  the  physical  harm  they  do 
to  the  host  aside  from  the  production  of  the  specific  disease  of 
Texas  fever.  True,  a  few  parasites  may  remain  on  cattle  indefinitely 
without  causing  any  noticeable  effect,  but  it  is  not  uncommon  to 
notice  bovine  animals  on  pastures  with  their  hides  heavily  infested 
with  these  pests.  In  such  cases  it  can  readily  be  seen  that  the  contin- 
uous sucking  of  blood  causes  more  or  less  impoverishment  of  the 
circulation.  The  animal  must  therefore  be  fed  heavier  in  order  to 
meet  the  demands  of  the  parasites  in  addition  to  the  ordinary  needs 
of  the  host.  If  the  ticks  be  removed  from  the  body,  the  bites  inflicted 
are  often  distinguished  by  small  inflamed  or  reddened  areas  some- 
what swollen,  with  perforations  of  the  skin  which  may  allow  the 
entrance  of  various  kinds  of  disease  germs,  and  showing  that  more 
or  less  irritation  of  the  hide  is  produced  by  these  parasites.  This 
condition,  together  with  the  loss  of  blood,  frequently  induces  an  irri- 
table state  and  evidences  of  uneasiness  commonly  known  as  "tick 
worry,"  which  results  in  the  loss  of  energy  and  other  derangements  of 
the  animal's  health.  It  may  in  some  cases  become  so  pronounced, 
especially  in  hot  weather,  that  the  animal  will  lose  flesh  in  spite  of 
good  pasturing,  thereby  reducing  the  vitality  and  rendering  it  more 
susceptible  to  the  inroads  of  disease.  Moreover,  if  the  infestation  of 
ticks  is  not  controlled,  the  cattle  may  be  so  reduced  in  condition  that 
growth  is  retarded,  and,  in  the  case  of  young  animals,  they  may  never 
become  fully  developed,  but  remain  thin,  weak,  and  stunted — a  con- 
dition that  has  been  termed  "tick  poverty" — and  easily  succumb  to 
other  diseases  as  a  result  of  lowered  vitality.  In  milch  cows  this 
debilitating  influence  of  the  numerous  ticks  is  shown  in  a  greatly 
reduced  milk  supply.  This  should  not  appear  strange  when  it  is  con- 
sidered that  some  animals  harbor  several  thousand  of  these  blood- 


470  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

sucking  parasites.  If  these  parasites  are  crushed,  it  will  be  found 
that  their  intestines  are  completely  filled  with  a  dark,  thick  mass  of 
blood  abstracted  from  the  animal  host  and  containing  nutriment  that 
should  go  to  the  formation  of  milk,  flesh,  and  the  laying  on  of  fat. 
In  some  rare  cases  the  large  number  of  bites  over  a  limited  area  of 
skin  may  be  followed  by  infection  with  pus-producing  organisms, 
giving  rise  to  small  abscesses  which  may  terminate  in  ulcers.  The 
discharge  from  such  sores,  or  in  some  cases  the  mere  oozing  of  blood 
serum  through  the  incision  made  by  the  mouth  parts  of  the  ticks, 
keeps  the  hair  moist  and  matted  together,  and  the  laying  and  hatch- 
ing of  fly  eggs  in  these  areas  give  rise  to  infestation  with  destructive 
maggots,  causing  ulcers  and  other  complications  that  require  medical 
treatment.  These  statements  regarding  the  secondary  injurious  effects 
of  cattle  ticks  also  apply  to  those  ticks  which  have  been  previously 
spoken  of  as  harmless  in  so  far  as  Texas  fever  is  concerned,  and,  in 
fact,  to  all  external  parasites.  Therefore,  it  is  just  as  important  to 
eradicate  the  cattle  ticks  for  reasons  other  than  those  associated  with 
Texas  fever  as  it  is  to  exterminate  lice,  fleas,  and  other  vermin. 
Furthermore,  cattle  ticks,  aside  from  the  losses  sustained  by  their 
purely  parasitic  effects,  are  the  greatest  menace  to  the  profitable  rais- 
ing and  feeding  of  cattle  in  the  South,  because  they  are  an  obstacle 
to  cattle  traffic  between  the  infected  and  noninfected  districts. 

LOSS    OCCASIONED    BY  "CATTLE   TICKS. 

The  economic  aspect  of  the  tick  problem  is  unquestionably  of  the 
greatest  practical  interest,  since  the  fundamental  importance  of  all  the 
other  questions  which  surround  it  depends  upon  the  actual  money 
value  involved.  It  would  therefore  seem  advisable  to  furnish  a  few 
statistics  showing  the  financial  loss  sustained  by  the  country  as  a 
result  of  the  presence  of  this  parasite.  It  is  well  known  that  those 
animals,  coming  from  an  infected  district  and  sold  in  the  "southern 
pens"  of  northern  stockyards,  bring  an  average  of  one-fourth  to  one- 
half  a  cent  less  per  pound  than  the  quoted  market  price.  The  handi- 
cap that  is  placed  on  the  southern  cattle  raiser  as  a  result  of  this 
decrease  in  value  of  his  stock  will  average  at  the  former  figure  at 
least  $1.50  per  head,  allowing  an  individual  weight  of  600  pounds  for 
all  classes  of  animals,  so  that  the  loss  on  the  estimated  705,000 
southern  cattle,  including  stock,  beef,  and  dairy  animals,  marketed 
yearly  under  these  conditions  will  sum  up  a  loss  of  $1,057,500  per 
annum.  Carding  this  estimate  still  further  it  will  be  found  that  this 
decreased  value  reacts  and  fixes  the  valuation  of  all  cattle  which 
remain  in  the  infected  territory,  thereby  reducing  the  assets  of  the 
cattle  industry  of  that  section  by  this  ratio  per  head  for  the  four  and 
a  half  millions  of  cattle  east  of  the  Mississippi  River  and  the  eleven 


INFECTIOUS   DISEASES   OF   CATTLE.  471 

millions  of  cattle  west  of  the  Mississippi  River;  or,  altogether,  the 
enormous  shrinkage  in  value  of  $23,250,000  directly  chargeable  to  the 
cattle  tick.  This  sum,  however,  should  not  be  considered  in  determin- 
ing the  yearly  devastation  caused  by  the  cattle  tick,  but  rather  as  an 
unnecessaiy  reduction  in  the  assets  of  the  infected  country.  This  last 
loss  does  not  include  the  decrease  in  flesh  and  lack  of  development  of 
southern  cattle  occasioned  by  the  parasitic  life  of  the  ticks  from  with- 
out and  by  the  blood-destroying  and  enervating  properties  of  the 
protozoan  parasites  from  within,  an  additional  loss  which  is  so  very 
great  that  a  conservative  estimate  would  place  it  equal  to  the  loss 
above  mentioned,  or  $23,250,000. 

The  shrinkage  in  the  milk  production  of  cattle  harboring  many 
ticks  will  average  1  quart  per  day,  and  the  loss  occasioned  thereby  at 
3  cents  per  quart  for  the  875,000  ticky  dairy  cattle  out  of  more  than 
4,000,000  dairy  cattle  below  the  quarantine  line  would  amount  to 
$26,250  per  day,  or,  counting  three  hundred  milking  days  for  each 
cow  to  the  year,  $7,875,000  per  annum.  The  damage  resulting  to  the 
southern  purchaser  of  northern  purebred  or  high-grade  cattle  is 
another  item  of  no  small  moment.  About  10  per  cent  of  all  such  cattle 
taken  South  die  of  Texas  fever  even  after  they  are  immunized  by 
blood  inoculations,  and  about  60  per  cent  of  these  cattle  succumb  to 
Texas  fever  when  not  so  treated.  Since  they  are  usually  very  expen- 
sive animals  and  of  a  highly  valued  strain  of  blood,  the  loss  in  certain 
cases  is  excessive  and  in  others  almost'  irreparable  owing  to  the  pos- 
sible extinction  of  some  particular  tj-pe  especially  selected  for  the 
improvement  of  the  herd.  Thus  of  the  approximate  4,600  of  such 
cattle  brought  South  each  year,  at  least  460  die  of  Texas  fever.  The 
loss  entailed  would  naturally  depend  on  the  value  of  each  animal,  and 
since  the  prices  paid  for  such  well-bred  cattle  range  from  $100  to 
$1,000  or  even  more,  it  can  readily  be  conceived  that  the  yearly  loss 
from  this  item  alone  varies  from  $46,000  upward. 

Another  instance  where  it  is  difficult  to  figure  the  injury  done  by 
the  ticks  is  in  the  case  of  death  of  nonimmune  cattle  in  the  tick-free 
pastures  of  the  South.  Such  animals  are  as  susceptible  to  Texas 
fever  as  nonimmune  northern  cattle,  and,  inasmuch  as  there  are  in 
many  States  only  one  out  of  every  four  farms  infested  with  ticks, 
the  cattle  on  the  remaining  farms  will  in  many  cases  contract  Texas 
fever  when  exposed  to  the  fever  tick.  These  losses  can  scarcely  be 
computed,  as  the  death  rate  depends  so  much  on  the  season  of  the 
year  when  exposure  occurs  and  on  the  age  of  the  animal  affected. 
However,  the  deaths  among  such  cattle  are  considerable,  although 
this  fact  is  little  appreciated  or  understood  by  many  outside  of  the 
infected  area.  Thus,  if  we  consider  one-tenth  of  the  cattle  below 
the  line  as  nonimmunes  which  contract  the  disease  on  exposure  to 
ticks,  and  if  we  figure  on  the  death  rate  of  25  per  cent  of  these 


472  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

animals — a  conservative  estimate — the  loss  would  amount  to  387,500 
animals,  which,  at  an  estimated  value  of  $15  per  head,  would  amount 
to  a  loss  of  $5,812,500  per  annum.  And  this  sum,  excessive  as  it 
may  seem,  represents  a  smaller  percentage  of  loss  on  the  total  valu- 
ation of  neat  cattle  than  has  been  determined  by  several  of  the 
infected  States. 

On  rare  occasions  a  small  outbreak  of  Texas  fever  occurs  north 
of  the  quarantine  line  as  a  result  of  improperly  disinfected  cars,  of 
unscrupulous  dealers  breaking  the  quarantine  regulations,  or  of 
some  accidental  condition.  Such  damage,  however,  is  slight,  but 
should  be  given  consideration  in  sumniing  up  the  loss  occasioned  by 
the  fever  tick. 

The  advertisement  which  a  breeder  obtains  and  the  sales  which  are 
made  by  having  his  stock  in  the  show  ring  are  usually  lost  to  the 
southern  cattle  raiser  who  aspires  to  display  his  animals  in  the 
North,  as  they  are  barred  from  most  of  these  exhibitions.  On  the 
other  hand,  the  southern  farmer  is  not  given  an  opportunity  to  see 
and  be  stimulated  by  the  fine  specimens  of  northern  cattle  which 
might  be  shown  at  southern  stock  exhibits,  for  the  reason  that  the 
danger  of  contracting  Texas  fever  is  too  patent  to  warrant  such 
exposure.  The  expense  incurred  by  the  Government  in  enforcing 
the  regulations  that  apply  to  the  quarantine  line  reaches  about  $42,000 
per  annum,  while  the  cost  to  the  various  States  for  similar  work 
along  their  individual  quarantine  lines  amounts  to  a  very  modest 
sum  in  some  States,  but  to  large  figures  in  others,  aggregating  about 
$23,000  yearly. 

Another  loss  which  is  indirectly  sustained  by  the  southern  cattle 
industry  through  increased  freight  rates  is  the  cost  to  the  railroad 
companies  of  cleaning  and  disinfecting  the  cars  that  carry  southern 
cattle  and  in  providing  separate  pens  for  these  animals  at  various 
locations.  This  sum  may  be  calculated  at  not  less  than  $29,000  per 
annum. 

If  all  the  above-mentioned  losses  are  added  it  will  be  found  that 
the  Texas-fever  tick  is  responsible  for  about  $40,000,000  of  loss 
annually  to  the  people  of  the  infected  country,  and  that  it  also  lowers 
the  assets  of  the  South  by  an  additional  $23,250,000.  These  figures 
are  not  given  as  accurate  in  any  particular,  but  they  are  sufficiently 
close  to  indicate  that  the  loss  to  the  quarantined  section  from  the 
cattle  tick  is  something  enormous  and  represents  about  16  per  cent  of 
the  total  valuation  of  the  cattle  in  that  region.  It  must  be  admitted 
that  this  is  by  far  too  great  a  barrier  to  the  successful  operation  of  any 
business.  Such  a  series  of  encumbrances  as  those  recorded  could  be 
carried  by  the  cattle  industry  of  no  other  section  of  the  country  but 
the  South,  whose  excellent  pastures,  rich  soil,  and  sulubrious  climate 
are  the  only  reasons  for  its  ability  to  overcome  such  obstacles  in  meet- 


INFECTIOUS    DISEASES    OF    CATTLE.  473 

ing  the  competition  of  the  West.  And  it  is  the  inherent  capacity  of 
the  South  for  greatly  increasing  its  herds  and  enlarging  its  pasture 
lands  that  makes  the  actual  loss  even  secondary  to  the  potential  loss 
due  to  restrictions  necessitated  by  the  presence  of  the  cattle  tick. 
This  potential  loss  may  be  described  as  the  difference  between  the 
value  of  the  cattle  industry  of  the  South  to-day  and  the  extent  to 
which  this  industry  would  be  increased  if  farmers  and  ranchmen 
wene  assured  that  their  lands  and  cattle  would  not  become  infested 
with  fever  ticks.  Could  this  assurance  be  given,  the  beneficial  effects 
would  extend  over  the  entire  country,  because  the  market  of  the 
northern  breeder  would  thereby  become  greatly  extended. 

These  appalling  losses  and  annual  sacrifices  of  the  cattle  raisers  of 
the  infected  district  can  be  entirely  effaced,  and  this  at  a  small  pro- 
portionate cost;  for,  with  enthusiastic  stockmen,  satisfactory  State 
legislation,  sufficient  money,  and  a  trained  corps  of  inspectors,  the 
cattle  tick  may  be  exterminated,  and  every  dollar  expended  in  this 
work  will  be  returned  many  fold  during  each  succeeding  year. 

TJte  so-called  period  of  incubcdiou. — After  the  young  ticks  have 
attached  themselves  to  cattle  the  fever  appears  about  ten  days  there- 
after, in  midsummer.  When  the  weather  is  cool,  as  in  autumn,  this 
period  may  be  a  little  longer.  The  actual  period  of  incubation  may 
be  shorter  than  this,  for  if  blood  from  a  case  of  Texas  fever  be 
injected  into  the  blood  vessels  of  healthy  cattle  the  fever  may  appear 
within  five  days.  When  cattle  graze  upon  pastures  over  which  south- 
ern cattle  have  passed,  the  time  when  the  disease  appears  varies 
within  wide  limits.  When  the  animals  have  been  put  upon  pastures 
immediately  after  southern  cattle  have  infected  them  with  ticks,  it 
may  take  from  thirty  to  sixty  days,  or  even  longer,  before  the  disease 
appears.  This  will  be  readily  understood  when  we  recall  the  life 
history  of  ticks.  The  southern  cattle  leave  only  matured  ticks  which 
have  dropped  from  them.  These  must  lay  their  eggs  and  the  latter 
be  hatched  before  any  ticks  can  get  upon  native  cattle.  The  shortest 
period  is  thus  not  less  than  thirty  days  if  we  include  ten  days  for  the 
period  of  incubation  after  the  young  tick  has  attached  itself  to  native 
cattle.  When  the  infection  of  pastures  with  ticks  has  taken  place 
early  in  the  season,  or  when  this  is  cold,  the  period  will  be  much 
longer,  because  it  takes  longer  for  the  eggs  to  hatch. 

If  native  cattle  are  placed  upon  pastures  which  have  been  infected 
some  time  before  with  ticks,  the  disease  will  appear  so  much  sooner, 
because  the  young  ticks  may  be  already  hatched  and  attack  the  cattle 
at  once.  It  will  be  evident,  therefore,  that  the  length  of  time  elaps- 
ing between  the  exposure  of  native  cattle  on  infected  fields  and  the 
appearance  of  the  disease  will  depend  on  the  date  of  original  infec- 
tion, and  on  the  weather,  whether  cold  or  hot.  When  native  cattle 
are  placed  upon  fields  on  which  young  ticks  are  already  present, 
they  will  show  the  fever  in  thirteen  to  fifteen  days  if  the  season  be  hot. 


474  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

The  fever  appears  "before  the  ticks  have  matured.  In  fact,  they  are 
still  small  enough  to  be  overlooked.  In  any  case  very  careful  search 
should  be  made  for  them  in  those  places  upon  which  they  prefer  to 
locate — the  thighs,  escutcheon,  and  udder.  After  the  acute  stage  of 
the  fever  has  passed  by,  the  ticks  begin  to  swell  up  and  show  very 
plainly.     (PI.  XL VIII,  figs.  6  and  7.) 

PREVENTION. 

It  is  generally  accepted  that  if  southern  cattle  are  entirely  free  from 
that  species  of  tick  known  as  Margaropus  (Boophilus)  aimulatus,  they 
can  be  allowed  to  mingle  with  the  most  susceptible  animals  without 
danger.  Furthermore,  it  has  been  learned  from  the  study  of  the  life 
history  of  the  cattle  tick  and  from  the  fact  that  this  tick  infests  pas- 
tures only  transiently,  never  permanently,  and  will  not  mature  except 
upon  cattle  or  equines,  that  its  extermination  is  possible,  and  that 
the  disease  it  causes  may  be  prevented.  The  various  methods  with 
these  results  in  view  should  be  directed  toward  the  destruction  of 
ticks  on  cattle  as  well  as  their  eradication  from  the  pastures. 

HOW  TO   FREE   CATTLE   OP  TICKS. 

Among  the  most  important  measures  to  be  adopted  in  eradicating 
these  parasites  from  cattle  in  the  infested  districts  may  be  mentioned: 
(1)  Picking  or  brushing  them  off;  (2)  smearing  or  spraying  the  animals 
with  a  disinfecting  solution,  and  (3)  dipping  the  "ticky"  animals  in  a 
vat  containing  a  solution  capable  of  killing  the  ticks  without  injury 
to  the  cattle. 

The  systematic  application  of  one  or  more  of  these  methods,  together 
with  appropriate  measures  for  eradicating  or  destro}7ing  the  cattle 
ticks  upon  pastures,  has  been  successfully  adopted  in  certain  sections, 
and  has  thus  diminished  the  area  of  the  infested  district. 

Picking  or  brushing  ticks  off  cattle. — Where  the  herd  is  small  a 
very  effective  but  laborious  method  is  to  pick  off  these  parasites  by 
hand  or  to  scrape  them  off  with  a  dull  knife  or  a  currycomb.  This 
should  be  done  at  least  three  times  a  week  in  order  to  find  all  the 
adults  before  they  mature  and  fall  off,  as  by  this  sj^stem  the  smaller 
ticks  which  at  first  escaped  detection  will  be  found  before  they  are 
fully  developed.  After  removing  the  ticks  they  should  be  destroyed, 
preferably  by  burning.  Care  should  be  taken  to  go  over  all  parts 
of  the  animal  frequented  by  the  ticks,  especially  under  the  belly, 
around  the  tail  and  udder,  and  inside  the  legs.  After  the  ticks  are 
picked  or  brushed  off,  the  cattle  should  not  be  neglected,  but  should 
be  caref ully  examined  later  for  the  presence  of  ticks  which  have  been 
picked  up  in  the  meantime.  If  this  work  is  thoroughly  performed 
and  no  ticks  are  allowed  to  fall  off  and  lay  eggs  from  June  1  to  the 
end  of  November,  the  cattle  will  be  free  of  ticks,  and  the  pastures 
will  have  had  an  opportunity  of  becoming  cleaned. 


INFECTIOUS   DISEASES   OF    CATTLE.  475 

Smearing  or  spraying  cattle  iviih  a  disinfecting  solution. — Greasing 
the  legs  and  sides  of  cattle  with  cotton-seed  oil,  fish  oil,  or  Beaumont 
crude  petroleum  will  assist  in  preventing  the  ticks  from  crawling  up 
on  the  body.  In  small  herds,  smearing  the  cattle  with  a  mixture  of  1 
gallon  of  kerosene,  1  gallon  of  cotton-seed  oil,  and  1  pound  of  sulphur, 
or  with  a  mixture  composed  of  equal  parts  of  cotton-seed  oil  and 
crude  petroleum,  or  with  Beaumont  crude  oil  alone,  has  proved  effi- 
cacious when  applied  to  the  skin  two  or  three  times  weekly  during 
the  tick  season.  For  this  purpose  sponges,  syringes,  brushes,  mops, 
or  brooms  may  be  used.  This  method  not  only  kills  the  older  ticks 
on  the  cattle  by  mechanically  plugging  up  their  breathing  pores,  but 
also  makes  the  legs  so  slippery  that  the  seed  ticks  are  unable  to  get  a 
foothold  in  order  to  crawl  up  on  the  cattle.  Where  a  large  number 
of  animals  are  to  be  treated,  but  not  sufficient  to  make  it  advisable  to 
construct  a  dipping  vat,  spraying  the  infested  animals  has  given  very 
favorable  results.  The  animals  should  be  placed  in  a  chute  or  a  stall, 
or  tied  to  a  tree,  and  then  sprayed  with  Beaumont  oil  or  a  5  per  cent 
solution  of  any  of  the  standard  coal-tar  dips.  The  solution  ma}7  be 
applied  by  means  of  a  force  pump,  such  as  is  used  by  orchardists  to 
spray  fruit  trees,  or  by  placing  the  solution  in  a  barrel  upon  a  wagon 
or  on  a  platform  above  the  animals  and  allowing  the  fluid  to  gravi- 
tate through  a  hose,  to  the  end  of  which  is  attached  an  ordinary 
sprinkling  nozzle.  The  solution  is  then  allowed  to  flow  over  the  skin 
of  the  animal,  especially  upon  the  legs  and  under  portions  of  the 
body.  If  the  cattle  are  on  tick-infested  pastures,  this  treatment — 
either  smearing  or  spraying — must  be  continued  through  the  whole 
season,  and  if  thoroughly  done  it  will  leave  the  fields  free  from  ticks 
the  following  year. 

Dipping  in  a  vat. — Many  efforts  have  been  made  to  discover  a 
practical  method  for  dipping  cattle  to  destroy  ticks  without  injury  to 
the  cattle,  and  the  bureau  has  experimented  for  years  with  this  object 
in  view.  Numerous  kinds  of  dips  have  been  used  and  many  failures 
have  been  recorded,  but  apparently  a  successful  one  has  been  found  in 
the  crude  oil — so-called  Beaumont  oil — obtained  from  certain  Texas 
wells.  This  oil  has  now  been  used  on  a  rather  large  scale,  and  it  has 
been  very  successful  in  killing  ticks  without  at  the  same  time  mate- 
rially affecting  the  health  of  the  cattle  when  the  proper  precautions 
have  been  observed.  In  fact,  it  is  distinctly  superior  to  any  of  the  other 
dips  that  have  been  tested.  In  these  experiments  it  was  found  that  a 
light  oil  heavily  charged  with  sulphur  is  the  most  desirable  for 
clipping  cattle,  as  the  heavj-  oils  injure  the  animals  dipped  in  them. 
An  oil  with  40  per  cent  of  its  bulk  capable  of  boiling  between  200° 
and  300°  C,  having  a  specific  gravity  between  22^°  and  24^c  Beaume, 
and  containing  1\  to  1  h  per  cent  of  sulphur  is  most  desirable,  and 
these  requirements  should  be  stipulated  before  purchase.  In  a  recent 
dipping  of  57,000  head  of  cattle  on  the  Kansas  and  Osage  Indian 


476  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

reservations  the  results  were  very  highly  satisfactory,  both  as  regards 
the  eradication  of  the  cattle  tick  and  the  after  results  of  the  dipping, 
since  the  loss  from  all  causes  was  less  than  0.75  per  cent.  This  loss 
represented  in  dollars  and  cents  would  amount  to  a  very  small  portion 
(about  one-twelfth)  of  the  loss  incurred  by  the  sale  of  these  animals 
as  "ticky"  cattle  in  the  stock  yards  of  the  North.  Other  cattle 
dipped  in  the  same  oil,  but  under  conditions  that  can  not  be  con- 
sidered parallel,  suffered  more  severely.  In  order  to  obtain  the  best 
results,  the  animals,  after  dipping,  should  not  be  unduly  exposed  to 
the  hot  sun  nor  driven  any  considerable  distance,  but  should  receive 
plenty  of  food  and  good  water.  They  should  be  allowed  to  stand 
for  four  or  more  days  after  dipping  and  prior  to  shipment.  Dip- 
ping should  not  be  attempted  until  after  they  shall  have  shed  their 
winter  coats,  as  a  large  percentage  of  all  cattle  dipped  before  the 
heavy  coat  is  lost  suffer  from  a  severe  irritation  of  the  skin.  The 
method  usually  adopted  in  dipping  cattle  is  to  construct  a  narrow 
swimming  tank  with  a  chute  at  one  end  for  the  entrance  of  the 
cattle  and  a  sloping  exit  at  the  other  end  where  the  cattle  emerge 
after  getting  a  uniform  coating  of  oil  in  passing  through  the  vat.  A 
drip  chute,  or  floor,  is  connected  with  the  exit  where  the  excess  of  oil 
is  allowed  to  drip  off  the  animals  and  to  drain  into  the  vat.  Plans 
and  specifications  for  installing  a  dripping  plant  suitable  for  either 
small  farms  or  large  ranges  are  published  in  Farmers'  Bulletin  No. 
152,  which  may  be  obtained  from  this  department.  It  is  relatively 
more  expensive  to  dip  cattle  in  the  South,  where  the  farms  and  plan- 
tations contain  a  small  number  of  cattle,  than  in  the  range  country 
of  the  Southwest,  where  this  method  of  eradicating  ticks  becomes  not 
only  plausible  and  practicable,  but  also  economical.  When  cattle 
have  been  properly  dipped  in  Beaumont  crude  petroleum  or  any  other 
approved  petroleum  under  the  supervision  of  a  veterinary  inspector 
and  by  him  found  free  of  infection,  they  may  be  shipped  to  any  point 
above  the  quarantine  line,  subject  only  to  such  restrictions  as  may  be 
imposed  at  the  point  of  destination.  Such  cattle  must  be  shipped  in 
clean,  disinfected  cars,  and  must  not  be  driven  through  the  quaran- 
tined area  or  be  unloaded  therein,  except  at  those  points  designated 
by  the  Secretary  of  Agriculture.  It  is  earnestly  recommended  that 
such  shipments  shall  not  occur  earlier  than  four  to  eight  days  after 
the  dipping  is  performed. 

By  the  "•soiling'1''  method. — This  method  of  freeing  cattle  of  ticks 
was  suggested  by  Curtice.  It  is  based  upon  a  knowledge  of  the  life 
history  of  these  parasites.  The  time  required  for  the  female  tick  to 
lay  eggs  and  the  latter  to  hatch — in  other  words,  the  time  spent  on 
the  ground — is  rarely  less  than  three  weeks,  and  the  period  required 
by  the  seed  ticks  to  molt  and  mature — or  the  time  spent  on  the  cattle — 
is  usually  from  twenty  to  forty-five  days.  When  cattle  infested  with 
ticks  are  to  be  cleaned  for  any  reason — as,  for  instance,  before  being 


INFECTIOUS   DISEASES  OF   CATTLE.  477 

placed  on  noninfested  pastures — it  is  recommended  that  the  cattle  be 
kept  in  a  small  tick-free  inclosure  for  three  weeks,  when  many  of  the 
ticks  will  have  fallen  off.  They  should  then  be  removed  and  placed 
in  a  similar  paddock  for  another  three  weeks.  At  this  time  the  cattle 
should  be  examined,  and  if  found  free  from  ticks  they  may  be  placed 
in  the  noninfested  pasture  at  once.  On  the  other  hand  if  any  ticks 
are  observed  the  cattle  should  be  placed  in  a  third  pen  for  two  weeks 
more.  By  this  time  even  the  youngest  ticks  that  were  on  the  cattle 
at  the  start  will  have  matured  and  dropped  off;  and  as  the  animals 
are  removed  from  each  pen  before  they  could  possibly  become  rein- 
fested  with  the  seed  ticks  that  hatch  from  the  eggs  of  the  females 
that  fell  off,  they  are  now  tick  free.  The  same  pens  can  not  be  used 
repeatedly  for  this  purpose  without  thorough  disinfection,  as  they 
become  infested  with  young  ticks,  which  will  at  once  attack  cattle  if 
given  an  opportunity  to  do  so.  Care  should  be  taken  that  hay  fed 
the  animals  in  these  pens  is  from  noninfested  fields. 

HOW   TO   FREE   PASTURES   OF   TICKS. 

How  to  rid  pastures  of  ticks  without  destroying  the  vegetation  on 
them  was  for  a  long  time  a  problem.  While  this  may  be  impossible 
on  large  ranches,  it  has  been  successfully  accomplished  on  small 
farms  by  systematic  efforts  based  upon  a  knowledge  of  the  life  his- 
tory and  the  habits  of  the  cattle  ticks.  The  most  satisfactory  as  well 
as  the  most  practicable  methods  have  been  found  to  be  as  follows: 

By  excluding  cattle  for  a  definite  period. — The  removal  of  animals 
from  an  infested  pasture  for  a  stated  period  will  cause  all  ticks  pres- 
ent therein  to  starve,  and  the  pasture  will  thus  become  tick-free. 
One  method  of  accomplishing  this  result  is  to  divide  the  pasture  into 
two  parts  by  a  double  line  of  fence.  This  fence  should  be  board- 
tight  at  the  bottom  to  prevent  ticks  from  crawling  out,  and  there 
should  be  a  10-foot  space  between  the  two  lines  so  that  the  ticks 
would  be  unable  to  crawl  across  to  the  opposite  pasture  if  they  should 
perchance  get  out.  One  of  these  pastures  is  then  kept  free  from 
cattle,  horses,  mules,  and  asses  from  spring  to  late  fall,  or,  better, 
until  January.  By  this  time  it  will  be  free  of  ticks  and  ready  for 
tick-free  cattle  that  have  been  cleaned  by  any  of  the  methods  above 
described;  then  the  other  pasture  is  abandoned  for  the  same  period 
of  time. 

Butler  states  that  the  pasture  may  be  kept  free  of  ticky  animals  for 
a  shorter  period  with  equally  beneficial  results,  and  recommends  the 
following  method : 

The  tick-infested  cattle  should  be  removed  from  their  pasture  on 
September  1,  cleaned  of  ticks  by  any  of  the  methods  previously  men- 
tioned, and  placed  in  a  cultivated  field  or  pasture  where  no  ticky  ani- 
mals have  been  for  at  least  six  months  and  where  they  can  not  come 
in  contact  with  ticky  animals  or  ticky  soil.     The  original   pasture 


478  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

should  not  be  restocked  until  the  following  spring  (April),  at  which 
time  all  the  eggs  laid  there  before  September  1  will  have  hatched, 
the  seed  ticks  will  have  starved,  and  the  pasture  will  be  free  of  ticks. 
It  may  then  be  used  for  cattle  that  have  no  ticks  upon  them.  In 
case  the  cattle  are  not  free  of  ticks  when  placed  in  the  cultivated  field 
or  noninfested  pasture  on  September  1,  they  will  infect  this  field  and 
will  carry  ticks  to  the  original  pasture  if  placed  there  in  the  spring. 

By  cultivation. — Another  method  of  destroying  ticks  on  pastures 
is  to  cultivate  the  soil  for  a  year  without  permitting  any  ticky  cattle, 
horses,  or  mules  on  the  ground  during  this  period.  After  this  treat- 
ment the  field  will  be  without  any  Texas-fever  ticks  and  may  be  re- 
stocked with  cattle  not  infested  with  these  parasites. 

By  burning  off  the  grass. — Pastures  that  are  too  large  to  be  disin- 
fected by  the  above  measures  or  those  grazing  lands  that  are  open 
and  can  not  be  inclosed,  or  ranches  where  a  division  of  the  pasture  is 
impracticable,  may  be  freed  from  ticks  by  burning  them  off  in  the 
spring  or  fall  and  then  keeping  tick-infested  animals  from  the  land 
It  is  advisable  to  burn  off  the  grass  in  the  spring  when  practicable, 
as  this  permits  the  pasture  to  recover  quickly  and  to  supply  feed  in 
several  weeks. 

HOW  TO   FREE  CATTLE   AND  PASTURES   OF  TICKS   AT  THE  SAME  TIME. 

By  the  "feed-lot"  method. — The  "feed-lot"  method  has  been  re- 
cently recommended  by  Morgan  after  conducting  field  experiments 
in  Louisiana  and  has  for  its  object  the  ridding  at  the  same  time  of 
pastures  and  cattle  of  the  fever  tick.  This  plan,  like  the  "soiling" 
method,  suggested  by  Curtice,  is  based  upon  the  length  of  time  the 
tick  lives  upon  cattle  and  the  period  required  for  the  eggs  to  be  laid 
and  hatched  and  the  seed  ticks  to  attach  themselves  to  their  host. 
For  carrying  out  this  idea  take  a  field  which  has  been  sown  to  corn, 
millet,  sorghum,  or  other  forage  and  fence  off  three  lots  within  such 
a  field,  in  one  of  which  the  ticky  cattle  are  placed  on  June  1  by 
removal  from  their  customary  pasture.0  (See  fig.  1.)  In  the  first 
feed  lot  the  greater  number  of  ticks  drop  off  and  lay  eggs.  After  an 
interval  of  twenty  days  and  before  these  eggs  have  had  time  to' 
hatch,  the  cattle  are  moved  to  the  second  inclosure,  where  they  are 
kept  another  twenty  days,  when  they  will  in  many  instances  be  free 
of  ticks  and  can  be  turned  into  the  forage  field.  However,  in  case 
ticks  are  still  present,  the  cattle  should  be  placed  in  a  third  paddock 
for  fifteen  days  longer.  All  the  ticks  that  were  on  the  animals  when 
placed  in  the  feed  lots  will  have  dropped  off  now,  and,  as  the  cattle 
leave  each  feed  lot  before  they  can  become  reinfested  by  the  seed  ticks 
which  hatch  from  the  eggs  of  the  ticks  that  fall  off,  they  will  be  clean 

"  From  our  experience  the  two  lots  recommended  by  Morgan  would  not  be 
sufficient  under  all  conditions. 


INFECTIOUS   DISEASES   OF    CATTLE. 


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480  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

and  safe.  These  tick-free  cattle  are  then  pastured  in  the  sorghum, 
corn,  or  millet  field  containing  the  feed  lots  and  the  latter  are  plowed 
immediately  after  the  cattle  are  taken  out,  their  edges  are  sprayed 
with  Beaumont  oil,  petroleum,  or  other  disinfectant  substances,  and 
the  soil  is  cultivated.  The  cattle  are  kept  in  the  forage  field  until 
November  15,  or  even  later,  when  all  the  ticks  on  the  regular  pasture 
will  have  died  of  starvation  from  the  exclusion  of  cattle  since  June  1, 
and  the  tick-free  animals  can  then  be  replaced  on  this  tick-free  pas- 
ture. In  adopting  this  method  it  is  essential  that  the  feed  lots  be 
inclosed  by  a  fence  which  is  board-tight  along  the  ground,  and  that 
this  fence  be  watched  carefully  and  disinfected  occasionally  to  pre- 
vent the  ticks  from  getting  into  the  forage  field;  a  single  furrow 
could  be  thrown  up  on  both  sides  of  the  fence  for  the  same  purpose. 
These  feed  lots  should  be  situated  along  the  edge  of  the  field  in  order 
that  the  cattle  in  changing  from  one  lot  to  the  other  may  pass,  as 
directly  as  possible,  through  a  portion  of  an  adjoining  cultivated  or 
tick-free  field,  so  that  if  the  ticks  fall  off  during  this  drive  they  will 
not  infest  the  forage  field  and  later  the  cattle  when  pastured  therein. 
The  cattle  should-be  fed  on  the  annual  crops  while  in  these  lots,  but 
never  upon  crops  obtained  from  infested  pastures,  as  such  food  may 
contain  seed  ticks.  Water  may  be  supplied  by  piping  from  a  well, 
spring,  or  creek,  by  carting  it  to  the  feed  lots  in  barrels,  or  by  placing 
the  fence  so  as  to  include  a  spring  or  portion  of  a  creek,  provided 
the  latter  does  not  flow  through  an  infected  pasture  a  short  distance 
above. 

By  pasture  rotation. — A  very  satisfactory  method  for  freeing  cattle 
as  well  as  pastures  of  the  cattle  tick  is  by  pasture  rotation,  which 
combines  the  suggestions  of  Curtice,  Butler,  and  Morgan.  It  is  based 
upon  the  knowledge  that  by  severing  the  relation  of  the  fever  ticks 
and  the  animals  upon  which  they  develop  these  ticks  will  perish.  To 
adopt  this  plan  first  divide  the  infected  pasture  into  two  parts,  which 
is  best  accomplished  by  a  double  line  of  fence  with  a  10-foot  space 
between  the  lines  to  prevent  ticks  crossing  from  one  pasture  to  an- 
other (fig.  2).  In  order  to  observe  all  possible  precautions,  this  fence 
should  have  either  a  furrow  thrown  up  against  it  or  a  board  or  rail 
placed  tightly  along  the  bottom  to  help  keep  the  ticks  within.  All 
animals  that  carry  the  cattle  tick  are  excluded  from  the  first  half  of 
the  pasture,  which  may  be  termed  pasture  No.  1,  from  June  1  until 
November  10,  at  which  time  all  the  ticks  that  were  there  will  have 
perished  from  want  of  a  host  and  the  field  will  be  ready  for  receiving 
tick-free  cattle.  The  ticky  cattle,  on  being  removed  from  pasture 
No.  1  on  June  1,  are  placed  in  the  other  half  of  the  original  pasture, 
which  may  be  called  pasture  No.  2,  where  they  are  kept  from  June  1 
to  September  10.  They  may  now  be  partly  cleaned  of  ticks  by  plac- 
ing them  at  the  latter  date  (September  10)  in  a  cultivated  field — for 
instance,  a  rye  or  vetch  or  wheat  and  vetch  field — and  by  keeping 


INFECTIOUS   DISEASES   OF    CATTLE. 


481 


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61386—08 31 


482  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

them  therein  for  twenty  days,  when  a  large  number  of  ticks  will  have 
fallen  off.  The  partly  cleaned  cattle  may  then  be  removed  on  Sep- 
tember 30  to  a  field  sown  to  corn  and  sorghum,  corn  and  cowpeas,  or 
a  combination  of  corn,  sorghum,  and  cowpeas,  or  other  forage  crops. 
In  this  field  most  of  the  remaining  ticks,  if  not  all  of  them,  will 
have  dropped  from  the  animals  within  twenty  days,  but  in  a  few  in- 
stances the  cattle  may  still  be  infested,  so  the  animals  should  be  moved 
on  October  20  to  a  cotton  field  in  which  rape  or  crimson  clover  had 
been  sown  at  the  last  cultivation  for  the  purpose  of  furnishing  food 
for  the  cattle  while  there.  The  crops  should  have  been  gathered  from 
all  these  fields  before  turning  in  the  cattle.  Here  they  are  kept  for 
another  twenty  days  (to  November  10),  not  because  they  would  not 
be  free  of  ticks  at  an  earlier  date  but  on  account  of  the  desire  to 
keep  cattle  away  from  pasture  No.  1  until  November  10.  On  this 
date  these  clean  cattle  are  returned  to  pasture  No.  1,  which  will  now 
be  tick-free  as  a  result  of  the  exclusion  of  animals  since  June  1.  These 
cattle  should  be  kept  in  this  pasture  until  May,  by  which  time  the 
ticks  in  pasture  No.  2  will  have  starved  owing  to  the  absence  of 
animals  therefrom  since  September  10.  Both  the  cattle  and  pastures 
will  now  be  tick-free  and  the  double  line  of  fence  between  the  two 
fields  can  be  removed  and  the  original  pasture  restored.  This  plan, 
as  represented  by  the  diagram,  is  merely  a  suggestion  of  arrangement 
and  may  easily  be  varied  with  regard  to  the  selection  of  crops  and  the 
location  of  pastures  to  suit  the  demands  of  individual  farms.  To 
prevent  ticks  from  crawling  under  either  of  the  fences  between  fields 
3  and  4  and  fields  4  and  5  it  is  necessary  to  have  a  board  or  rail 
placed  tightly  on  the  ground  along  these  lines  of  fence,  or  to  throw  up 
a  single  furrow  along  both  sides  of  the  fences.  To  avoid  the  danger 
of  infestation  from  the  outside,  care  should  be  taken  to  feed  the 
animals,  in  those  cases  where  the  pastures  or  fields  are  overstocked, 
on  hay  cut  from  tick-free  fields,  and  to  keep  out  work  oxen,  mules, 
and  horses  that  may  harbor  fever  ticks,  thus  preventing  reinf estation 
of  the  pasture.  When  the  cultivated  fields  are  on  a  slope  it  is  ad- 
visable to  use  the  lowest  field  first,  in  order  that  the  ticks  dropped 
within  may  not  be  washed  by  drainage  upon  the  adjoining  fields 
which  are  later  to  hold  the  cattle.  For  the  same  reason,  where  a 
stream  runs  through  the  fields  upon  which  the  cattle  are  to  be  placed, 
the  field  farthest  removed  from  the  head  water  should  be  used  first. 
Where  an  endeavor  is  made  to  rid  a  farm  of  ticks,  it  is  essential  that 
the  work  animals  (oxen,  mules,  and  horses)  used  in  cultivating  the 
fields  be  curried  to  keep  off  the  ticks  and  prevent  the  latter  from 
being  carried  into  these  fields.  Cats  should  also  be  kept  from  the 
pastures  and  fields;  for,  although  they  do  not  harbor  the  mature 
ticks,  seed  ticks  have  been  found  on  them,  and  while  these  seed  ticks 
remain  only  for  a  short  period,  this  time  may  be  sufficient  to  allow 
them  to  be  carried  into  the  disinfected  pastures,  where  they  may  fall 
off  and  reinfest  the  soil.     If  a  farm  or  plantation  consists  of  a  pasture 


INFECTIOUS   DISEASES   OF    CATTLE.  483 

and  but  one  field  under  cultivation,  the  above  plan  can  be  made  appli- 
cable by  fencing  off  three  inclosures  in  the  latter  and  by  rotating  the 
cattle  in  them  every  twenty  days  in  the  manner  just  described.  The 
same  precautions  should  be  observed  in  changing  the  cattle  from  one 
lot  to  another  and  in  preventing  ticks  from  getting  into  the  cultivated 
field  as  are  mentioned  above. 

IMMUNIZATION   OF  SUSCEPTIBLE  CATTLE. 

By  blood  inoculation. — It  is  often  desirable  to  ship  well-bred  cattle 
into  infested  districts,  that  they  may  be  used  to  improve  the  quality 
of  the  native  cattle  already  there.  Previous  to  the  discovery  of  the 
cause  of  Texas  fever  it  was  found  to  be  well-nigh  impossible  to 
introduce  pure  bred  cattle  from  the  North  into  any  of  the  infected 
regions  without  suffering  great  loss — sometimes  as  high  as  90  per 
eent — within  a  few  months  of  their  arrival  at  their  southern  destina- 
tion. At  first  it  was  thought  that  the  fatalities  were  due  to  climatic 
changes,  but  later  the  discovery  was  made  that  Texas  fever  was 
causing  these  numerous  deaths. 

It  has  now  been  found  practicable  to  immunize  this  class  of  cattle 
so  perfectly  that  the  losses  which  follow  their  transportation  to  a 
tick-infested  region  are  reduced  to  a  minimum.  Young  animals  six 
to  fifteen  months  old  should,  so  far  as  possible,  be  selected  for  this 
purpose,  as  they  are  more  readily  immunized  than  adults,  are  more 
easily  handled,  and  the  dangers  which  may  arise  from  pregnancy 
while  undergoing  the  immunizing  treatment  are  thus  avoided. 

Immunity  in  these  cattle  is  obtained  by  introducing  the  micro- 
parasite  of  the  blood  into  their  systems.  It  may  be  done  by  direct 
artificial  inoculation  or  by  placing  virulent  young  ticks  upon  the 
animals  and  allowing  them  to  perform  the  inoculation  in  the  natural 
manner.  The  subcutaneous  injection  of  a  small  amount  of  defibri- 
nated  virulent  blood  has  been  found,  by  means  of  prolonged  experi- 
ment, the  preferable  method,  as  the  number  of  micro-organisms  intro- 
duced can  be  more  accurately  gauged  from  the  syringe  than  by 
allowing  the  infection  to  be  produced  by  bites  of  ticks.  Two  or  three 
inoculations,  if  repeated  at  proper  intervals,  are  accomplished  with 
greater  safety  to  the  animal  than  would  be  possible  by  means  of  a 
single  inoculation.  The  amount  first  injected  should  be  small  and 
then  gradually  increased  in  the  succeeding  treatments. 

The  inoculation  always  results  in  a  more  or  less  serious  attack  of 
Texas  fever.  Besides  having  a  fever,  there  is  great  diminution  of 
red  blood  corpuscles,  and  in  about  3  per  cent  of  the  cases  a  fatal  ter- 
mination; but  the  proportion  of  deaths  resulting  from  the  inoculation 
is  small  when  compared  with  the  fatalities  among  untreated  animals 
taken  into  infested  districts.  To  this  number  should  be  added  those 
animals  (less  than  7  per  cent)  that  do  not  receive  sufficient  immunity 
by  this  method  and  which  succumb  when  exposed  to  infested  pastures. 
Combining  these  failures  it  will  be   seen  that  by  this  method  of 


484  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

immunization,  instead  of  a  loss  of  90  per  cent  among  breeding  stock 
taken  South  more  than  90  per  cent  can  be  saved.  The  animals  should 
be  carefully  nursed  through  the  attack  and  their  symptoms  treated 
as  indicated  on  page  487. 

Immunizing  inoculations  are  now  being  made  by  the  veterinarians 
of  most  of  the  agricultural  experiment  stations  of  the  Southern  States 
without  cost  for  the  services  rendered,  a  charge  being  made  merely 
for  the  actual  value  of  food  consumed  and  attendants'  wages.  These 
veterinarians  have  also  issued  station  bulletins  which  describe  fully 
the  necessary  steps  to  be  taken  in  securing  the  blood  and  injecting  it 
into  the  animals  to  be  immunized,  so  that  the  stock  owner  can  follow 
the  instructions  with  prospects  of  getting  good  results. 

This  operation  is  not  a  difficult  one,  and  excellent  results  will  follow 
where  absolute  cleanliness  and  ordinary  care  have  been  used,  but 
undoubtedly  the  best  results  will  be  obtained  by  those  who  have 
thoroughly  familiarized  themselves  with  the  nature  of  the  disease 
and  are  experienced  in  extracting  blood  from  animals.  Two  methods 
are  in  use  and  will  be  described  separately.  One  consists  in  drawing 
the  blood  from  the  jugular  vein  of  an  immune  animal  and  immedi- 
ately injecting  it  into  the  cattle  to  be  immunized.  It  is  compara- 
tively simple,  requires  few  instruments,  and  can  be  satisfactorily 
carried  out  where  a  small  number  of  animals  are  to  be  immunized 
and  if  a  suitable  immune  animal  is  close  at  hand.  First,  select  an 
immune  animal  which  is  in  good  health  and  which  is  infested  with 
fever  ticks  or  had  them  the  preceding  year.  Fasten  the  animal 
securely,  either  by  tying,  throwing,  or  by  placing  in  a  chute.  Clip 
the  hair  from  a  space  about  4  inches  in  diameter  over  the  jugular  vein 
on  the  upper  third  of  the  neck,  wash  the  skin  thoroughly  with  a  5  per 
cent  solution  of  carbolic  acid,  and  then  fasten  a  strap  or  rope  around 
the  neck  below  the  hairless  area  and  draw  it  tight  in  order  that  the 
blood  in  the  vein  will  be  stopped,  causing  distension.  With  a  large 
hypodermic  syringe  needle,  previously  sterilized  in  a  5  per  cent  car- 
bolic-acid solution,  puncture  the  vein  at  a  slight  angle,  directing  the 
point  forward.  When  the  needle  enters  the  vein  the  point  can  be 
rotated  freely  in  contrast  to  the  restricted  movements  if  still  in  the 
tissues,  and  the  blood  will  either  drop  or  flow  from  the  opening  in  the 
needle.  Attach  the  disinfected  syringe  to  the  needle  with  piston  in 
and  gradually  draw  out  the  piston  until  the  chamber  of  the  syringe 
is  full  of  blood,  when  the  needle  is  withdrawn.  The  blood,  before  it 
has  had  time  to  clot,  is  immediately  injected  into  the  animals  to  be 
immunized  and  which  have  been  previously  tied  or  restrained,  the 
hair  clipped,  and  the  skin  disinfected  at  the  seat  of  injection  in  the 
region  of  the  shoulder.  Inject  then  from  1  to  3  c.  c,  according  to 
the  age  of  the  animal,  under  the  skin  of  each  animal  until  the  blood 
is  exhausted.  When  more  animals  are  to  be  inoculated  than  one 
syringeful  will  inject,  the  operation  may  be  repeated  in  the  same 
manner.     The  only  objection  to  this  method  is  the  possibility  of  the 


INFECTIOUS  DISEASES  OF   CATTLE.  485 

blood  clotting  in  the  syringe,  but  with  practice  and  promptness  this 
can  be  easily  overcome. 

The  second  method  is  better  suited  for  the  inoculation  of  a  large 
number  of  cattle  or  where  the  immune  animal  is  at  a  distance  from 
the  cattle  to  be  immunized. 

The  preliminary  steps— the  clipping  of  the  hair,  disinfection  of 
the  skin,  placing  the  rope  around  the  neck  to  distend  the  jugular 
vein,  and  restraining  the  animal — are  the  same  as  for  the  first  method. 
In  puncturing  the  vein  it  is  advisable  to  use  a  small  trocar  and  canula 
after  sterilization  in  a  5  per  cent  carbolic-acid  solution,  and,  when 
the  vein  has  been  entered,  to  draw  out  the  trocar,  allowing  the  blood 
to  flow  through  the  canula  into  a  perfectly  clean  and  sterile  vessel. 
After  sufficient  blood  has  been  drawn  for  the  animals  to  be  injected, 
a  clean  stick,  previously  sterlized  by  boiling  in  water,  is  placed  in 
the  vessel  containing  the  blood  and  the  latter  is  stirred  for  ten  min- 
utes or  so  or  until  the  fibrin  in  the  blood  is  whipped  out.  The  remain- 
ing blood,  known  as  defibrinated  blood,  is  then  inoculated  under  the 
disinfected  skin  of  the  animals  to  be  immunized,  as  in  the  first 
method.  This  blood  should  be  used  as  early  as  possible  after  draw- 
ing, to  prevent  it  from  becoming  contaminated  and  decomposed. 
The  place  where  this  injection  is  made  is  immaterial,  but  for  conven- 
ience a  point  just  behind  the  shoulder  is  usually  chosen.  The  dose 
and  number  of  injections  vary  with  the  individual  animals.  As  a 
rule,  it  may  be  stated  that  1  cubic  centimeter  should  be  injected  into 
an  old  animal  coming  into  the  infested  district,  2  cubic  centimeters  for 
a  2-year-old,  and  3  cubic  centimeters  for  an  animal  9  to  15  months  old. 
It  will  be  observed  that,  unlike  the  usual  custom  of  applying  treat- 
ment, the  older  animals  take  less  than  the  young  ones  owing  to  their 
greater  susceptibility  to  the  disease.  Where  an  animal  has  reacted 
well  to  a  first  injection  and  shows  a  very  high  temperature,  great 
reduction  of  red  blood  cells,  or  other  symptoms  indicative  of  reac- 
tion, it  will  not  be  necessary  to  repeat  the  injection,  but  in  those 
cases  where  the  reaction  is  slight,  a  second  injection  should  follow 
after  an  interval  of  forty  days,  and,  if  need  be,  a  third  injection  after 
a  similar  lapse  of  time,  always  increasing  the  size  of  dose  50  per  cent. 
A  thermometer,  to  indicate  the  course  and  severity  of  the  disease, 
is  indispensable  in  this  work.  Usually,  after  three  to  ten  days,  some- 
times longer,  the  inoculated  animals  show  a  mild  type  of  Texas  fever, 
which  runs  a  course  of  from  six  to  eight  days  and  is  followed  in  about 
thirty  days  after  the  injection  with  a  second  attack  of  a  milder 
character  than  the  first.  After  forty  days,  when  the  animal  has 
entirely  recovered  from  the  inoculation,  a  second  injection  may  be 
given  to  increase  its  immunity.  In  some  cases  a  very  severe  type  of 
fever  follows  the  first  inoculation,  requiring  careful  nursing  and 
treatment,  as  suggested  above.  A  second,  milder  attack  follows 
usually  in  about  thirty  to  forty  days,  after  which  the  animal  need 
have  no  further  inoculations.     It  is  advisable  to  prevent  any  ticks 


486  DISEASES   OF   CATTLE. 

frond  getting  on  the  cattle  until  sixty  days  after  their  inoculation  or 
until  they  have  fully  recovered,  at  which  time  a  few  ticks  may  be 
placed  upon  them  in  order  to  reenforce  their  immunity.  Naturally 
this  time  varies  according  to  the  type  of  the  attack.  As  the  best 
results  with  these  immunizing  experiments  have  been  obtained  in 
cool  weather  and  with  young  cattle,  it  is  recommended  that  animals 
from  6  to  15  months  old  be  selected  for  inoculation,  and  that  they  be 
immunized  during  the  late  fall  or  winter  months,  in  order  that  they 
inay  enter  tick-infested  pastures  in  the  spring  without  danger. 

TEXAS   FEVER. 

[Description  of  plates.] 

Plate  XL VI.  Fig.  1 .  Spleen  of  an  acute  fatal  case  of  Texas  fever.  The  narrow 
end  of  the  spleen  is  here  represented.  Fig.  2.  Spleen  of  healthy  steer.  Though 
the  latter  animal  weighed  one-half  more  than  the  former,  the  weight  of  the  diseased 
spleen  (6|  pounds)  was  nearly  three  times  that  of  the  healthy  spleen  (2|  pounds). 

Plate  XL VII.  Fig.  1 .  The  cut  surface  of  a  healthy  liver  taken  from  a  steer 
slaughtered  for  beef.  Fig.  2.  The  cut  surface  of  the  liver  in  Texas  fever.  Fig.  3. 
Appearance  of  the  urine  in  an  acute  fatal  case  of  Texas  fever.  Fig.  4.  Red  cor- 
puscles, magnified  a  thousand  diameters,  containing  the  parasite  of  Texas  fever. 
This  appears  as  a  blue  point  a  near  the  edge  of  the  corpuscle.  The  blood  was 
taken  from  a  skin  incision.  The  case  was  nonfatal  and  occurred  late  in  fall. 
Fig.  5.  Red  corpuscles  from  the  blood  of  an  acute  fatal  case,  twenty  hours  before 
death.  The  Texas  fever  microbes  a  are  shown  as  pear-shaped  bodies,  stained  with 
methylene  blue,  within  the  red  corpuscles.  The  larger  body  on  the  right  b  is  a 
white  blood  corpuscle,  also  stained  with  methylene  blue.  Magnified  a  thousand 
diameters. 

Plate  XL VIII.  The  cattle  tick,  the  carrier  of  Texas  fever.  Fig.  1.  A  series  of 
ticks,  natural  size,  from  the  smallest,  just  hatched  from  the  egg,  to  the  mature 
female,  ready  to  drop  off  and  lay  eggs.  Fig.  2.  Eggs,  magnified  5  times.  Fig.  3. 
The  young  tick  just  hatched,  magnified  40  times.  Fig.  4.  The  male  after  the  last 
molt,  magnified  10  times.  Fig.  5.  The  female  after  the  last  molt,  magnified  10 
times.  Fig.  6.  A  portion  of  the  skin  of  the  udder,  showing  the  small  ticks.  From 
a  fatal  case  of  Texas  fever  produced  by  placing  young  ticks  on  the  animal.  Nat- 
ural size.  Fig.  7.  A  portion  of  the  ear  of  the  same  animal,  showing  same  full- 
grown  ticks  ready  to  drop  off.     Natural  size. 

Plate  XLIX.  Portion  of  a  steer's  hide,  showing  the  Texas  fever  tick  (Mar- 
garopus annulatus)  of  the  United  States.     Natural  size.     Original. 

Plate  L.  Fig.  1.  Dorsal  view  of  male  Margaropus  annulatus  of  the  United 
States,  greatly  enlarged.  Original.  Fig.  2.  Ventral  view  of  male  Margarojjus 
annulatus  of  the  United  States,  greatly  enlarged.  Original.^  Fig.  3.  Dorsal 
view  of  replete  female  Margaropus  annulatus,  greatly  enlarged.  Original.  Fig.  4. 
Ventral  view  of  same. 

Plate  LI.  Map  of  the  United  States,  showing  the  region  infected  with  Texas 
fever.  The  shaded  and  black  portions  show  the  area  quarantined  on  account  of 
this  disease.  Cattle  may  not  be  shipped  interstate  from  the  shaded  area  between 
January  31  and  November  1  except  for  immediate  slaughter.  In  the  black  areas 
the  infection  is  slight,  as  a  result  of  the  work  being  done  for  the  extermination  of 
the  cattle  ticks,  and  cattle  officially  inspected  and  found  free  from  infection  may 
be  shipped  interstate  therefrom  for  any  purpose.  As  the  quarantined  area  is  sub- 
ject to  change  at  any  time,  this  map  should  be  compared  with  the  latest  regula- 
tions, which  may  be  obtained  at  any  time  on  application  to  the  Secretary  of 
Agriculture. 


Diseases  of  Cattle 


Plate  xlvi 


^m 


Diseases  of  Cattle 


Plate  xlvii 


- 


Fig.] 


Fig.  3 


Fig.  4 


i'ig.  2 


I 


Fig.  5 


JSBIEKI 


Texas  Fever. 


Diseases  of  Cattle 

.   .    .     «     o     *    a  $  #  ^j 


Plate  xlviii 


- 


Fig.  2 


Fig  1 


<C/ 


^ 


\, 


Rg.3 


^■•fts*'    *' 


«N^-«- 


Fig   1 


» 


1W- 


Fig.  6 


Fig.  7 

Haines  del  juliusbien  *  co.n.v. 

The  Cattle  Tick  (Margaropus  annulatus)-the  Carrier  ofTexas  Fever. 


Diseases  of  Cattle. 


Plate  XLIX. 


Portion  of  a  Steer's  Hide,  Showing  the  Texas-fever  Tick  i  Margaropus  annulatus) 
of  the  United  States.    Natural  Size.    Original. 


Diseases  of  Cattle 


Plate  l 


<&&* 


Haines  del 


Figs.iHiid2   Dorsal  and   ventral  views  of  Male 

Texas  Fever  Tick.i  Margaropus  annulatus) 

Figs.3  and  4   DORSAL  AND     VENTRAL  VIEWS    OF  REPLETE   FEMALE 

Texas  Fever  Tick. (  Margaropus  annulatus) 


Diseases  of  Cattle. 


Plate  LI. 


B    Ct  ~         33 


INFECTIOUS  DISEASES   OF   CATTLE.  487 

By  infesting  with  ticks. — Immunity  may  also  be  induced  in  suscep- 
tible animals  by  placing  a  limited  number  of  fever  ticks  upon  their 
bodies  in  order  to  produce  the  disease  naturally.  For  this  purpose 
only  animals  less  than  1  year  of  age  should  be  used,  as  the  method  is 
not  applicable  for  older  and  more  susceptible  animals.  Upon  the 
bodies  of  these  young  cattle  from  twenty- five  to  fifty  seed  ticks  should 
be  placed,  which  in  the  course  of  about  ten  days  will  occasion  a  rise 
of  temperature  and  a  mild  form  of  Texas  fever.  When  the  animal 
has  entirely  recovered  from  this  attack,  a  second  crop — double  the 
number  first  used — should  be  applied  to  the  animal  in  order  to  in- 
crease its  power  of  resistance  when  pastured  on  infested  soil.  In 
order  to  carry  out  this  method  successfully,  a  constant  supply  of  seed 
ticks  must  be  at  hand.  This  can  be  accomplished  by  placing  the 
mature  females  in  a  Mason  fruit  jar  among  some  dirt  and  leaves  and 
keeping  them  in  a  warm  place.  In  a  few  weeks  the  eggs  will  have 
been  laid  and  hatched,  and  a  number  of  seed  ticks  will  be  present  for 
use  in  infesting  the  cattle  to  be  immunized.  By  placing  a  few  adult 
females  in  the  jar  every  two  months  there  will  always  be  a  supply  of 
these  young  ticks.  This  method  of  producing  immunity  by  controlled 
tick  infestation  is  not  so  safe  as  blood  inoculation,  since  the  quantity  of 
germs  injected  can  be  more  accurately  regulated  by  means  of  a  syringe. 

Treatment. — When  the  disease  has  broken  out,  all  animals,  the 
sick  as  well  as  the  healthy,  should  at  once  be  removed  to  another 
noninfected  pasture.  While  this  may  not  cut  short  the  disease,  it 
may  save  the  lives  of  some  by  removing  them  from  the  possibility  of 
being  attacked  by  more  young  ticks.  Removal  from  infected  pas- 
tures likewise  prevents  a  second  later  attack  in  October  or  early  in 
November,  which  is  caused  by  another  generation  of  ticks.  It  is  true 
that  sick  natives  infect  with  a  new  generation  of  ticks  the  pasture  to 
which  they  are  removed,  but  these  usually  appear  so  late  that  they 
have  but  little  opportunity  to  do  any  damage.  Hence,  sick  natives 
do  not,  as  a  rule,  cause  visible  disease  in  other  natives. 

It  is  of  importance  to  remove  all  ticks,  as  far  as  this  is  possible, 
from  sick  animals,  since  they  abstract  a  considerable  amount  of 
blood  and  thereby  retard  the  final  recovery. 

Medical  treatment  of  the  sick  has  generally  been  \insatisfactory, 
although  in  chronic  cases  and  those  occurring  late  in  the  fall  bene- 
ficial results  have  followed.  If  the  animal  is  constipated,  a  drench 
containing  1  pound  of  Epsom  salts  dissolved  in  1  quart  of  water  should 
be  administered,  followed  by  the  sulphate  of  quinine  in  doses  of  30  to 
90  grains,  according  to  the  size  of  the  animal,  four  times  a  day  until 
the  system  is  well  saturated  with  it.  Tincture  of  digitalis  one-half 
ounce  and  whisky  or  alcohol  2  ounces  may  be  combined  with  the  qui- 
nine, according  to  indications  of  individual  cases.  An  iron  tonic  con- 
taining reduced  iron  2  ounces,  powdered  gentian  4  ounces,  powdered 
nux  vomica  2  ounces,  powdered  rhubarb  2  ounces,  and  potassium 
nitrate  6  ounces  will  be  found  beneficial  in  the  convalescent  stage 


488  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

when  the  fever  has  run  its  course.  This  tonic  should  be  given  in 
heaping  tablespoonful  doses  three  times  a  day  in  the  food.  Good 
nursing  is  essential  in  treating  these  cases,  and  the  animal  should  be 
given  a  nutritious  laxative  diet  with  plenty  of  clean  and  cool  drinking 
water,  and  allowed  to  rest  in  a  quiet  place.  If  the  stable  or  pasture 
is  infested  with  ticks  the  animal  should  be  placed  in  a  tick-free 
inclosure  to  prevent  additional  infestation  with  these  parasites  and 
the  introduction  of  fresh  infection  into  the  blood.  Furthermore, 
remove  from  the  sick  cattle  all  ticks  that  can  be  seen,  as  they  keep 
weakening  the  animal  by  withdrawing  a  considerable  quantity  of 
blood,  and  thereby  retard  recovery. 

The  sanitary  regulations  which  have  been  enacted  by  the  Depart- 
ment of  Agriculture  for  the  control  of  cattle  shipments  from  the 
infected  districts  have  for  their  initial  purpose  the  prevention  of  the 
transportation  of  cattle  ticks  from  infected  regions  to  those  that  are 
not  infected,  either  upon  cattle  or  in  stock  cars  or  other  conveyer, 
during  the  season  of  the  year  when  infection  is  possible.  They  are 
based  upon  the  fact  that  Texas  fever  is  carried  north  only  by  the 
cattle  tick,  and  the  exclusion  of  this  parasite  from  the  noninfected 
territory  has  in  every  instance  been  found  a  certain  method  of 
excluding  Texas  fever.  The  regulations  governing  the  movement  of 
cattle  from  below  the  quarantine  line  are  made  yearly  by  the  Secre- 
tary of  Agriculture,  and  they  define  the  boundary  of  infected  dis- 
tricts. The  infected  area  as  now  determined  includes  the  territory 
south  of  an  imaginary  line  which  commences  in  North  Carolina,  on 
the  Atlantic  coast,  and  passes  in  a  westerly  direction  through  a  few 
counties  in  the  middle  of  Virginia,  North  Carolina,  Georgia,  southern 
portion  of  Tennessee,  along  the  northern  border  of  Arkansas,  the 
middle  of  Oklahoma,  and  the  western  part  of  Texas  to  the  Rio  Grande 
and  the  Mexican  border,  whence  it  passes  along  the  southern  boun- 
dary of  New  Mexico  and  Arizona  and  across  the  lower  portion  of 
California  to  the  Pacific  slope  (see  PI.  LI).  This  year  (1908)  cattle 
may  be  moved  from  the  quarantined  district  for  purposes  other  than 
immediate  slaughter  during  November,  December,  and  January  into 
the  noninfected  area  within  the  States  of  Georgia,  Tennessee,  Texas, 
and  California,  and  to  the  States  of  Missouri  and  Kansas  and  the 
Territories  of  Arizona  and  New  Mexico,  as  may  be  provided  for  in 
the  regulations  of  these  States  and  Territories,  and  after  inspection 
by  and  upon  written  permission  of  an  inspector  of  the  Bureau  of 
Animal  Industry  or  a  duly  authorized  inspector  of  the  State  or  Terri- 
tory to  which  the  cattle  are  destined,  and  after  permission  shall  have 
been  obtained  from  the  proper  officer  of  the  said  State  or  Territory. 

During  the  mouths  of  January  and  February,  the  first  fifteen  daysof 
March,  and  the  last  sixteen  dajTs  of  December  in  each  year,  cattle  of 
the  quarantined  area  of  any  State  or  Territory  may  be  moved  inter- 
state therefrom  for  purposes  other  than  immediate  slaughter  under  the 
above-mentioned  restrictions  into  those  portions  of  the  States  of  Vir- 


INFECTIOUS   DISEASES   OF    CATTLE.  489 

ginia  and  North  Carolina  not  included  in  the  quarantined  area.  Dur- 
ing the  month  of  January  and  the  last  seventeen  days  of  December  in 
each  year  cattle  of  the  quarantined  area  of  any  State  or  Territory  may 
be  moved  interstate  therefrom  for  purposes  other  than  immediate 
slaughter  under  the  above-mentioned  restrictions  into  that  portion 
of  the  State  of  Oklahoma  not  included  in  the  quarantined  area. 

All  cattle  from  the  quarantined  district  destined  to  points  outside 
of  the  States  and  Territories  above  named  may  be  shipped  without 
inspection  between  November  1  and  January  31,  inclusive  (the  open 
season),  without  restrictions  other  than  may  be  enforced  by  local 
regulations  at  the  point  of  destination.  At  the  present  time  no  cattle 
may  go  out  of  quarantine  from  the  shaded  area  shown  on  the  map  in 
Plate  LI,  except  for  immediate  slaughter,  during  that  portion  of  the 
year  included  between  the  dates  of  February  1  and  October  31,  and 
known  as  the  closed  season.  These  cattle  must  be  slaughtered  after 
arrival  at  their  destination,  and  the  regulations  of  the  Secretary 
of  Agriculture  concerning  their  handling  and  movement  shall  be 
enforced. 

Cattle  may  be  shipped  interstate  from  the  black  area  indicated  in 
Plate  LI  to  points  outside  the  quarantined  area  for  purposes  other 
than  immediate  slaughter,  provided  they  are  first  examined  and  cer- 
tified by  an  inspector  of  the  Bureau  of  Animal  Industry  to  be  free 
from  infection,  but  cattle  from  the  shaded  area  may  enter  the  black 
area  only  for  immediate  slaughter  or  during  the  open  season.  The 
following  is  an  abstract  of  the  regulations  in  force  March  20,  1908: 

Cattle  coming  from  the  infected  districts  during  the  closed  season 
can  not  be  driven,  but  must  be  conveyed  in  cars  or  boats  placarded 
as  containing  "Southern  cattle,"  and  bills  of  lading,  waybills,  and 
conductors'  manifests  shall  have  this  information  written  upon  them. 
When  the  cattle  are  unloaded  for  feeding,  watering,  or  other  pur- 
pose, they  must  be  placed  in  pens  reserved  for  such  animals  only,  in 
which  native  stock  is  not  allowed,  and  a  large  sign  with  the  words 
"Quarantine  pens"  or  "Quarantine  yards"  must  be  conspicuously 
placed  on  all  such  inclosures.  On  unloading  at  their  destination, 
only  the  chutes,  alleyways,  and  pens  reserved  for  southern  cattle 
shall  be  used.  Before  the  cars  or  boats  which  carried  these  animals 
are  again  used  their  entire  interior  must  be  thoroughly  washed  with 
water  after  the  removal  of  all  litter  and  manure  and  then  disinfected 
with  a  mixture  made  of  1£  pounds  of  lime  and  one-fourth  pound  of 
100  per  cent  carbolic  acid  to  each  gallon  of  water,  or  with  any  coal-tar 
creosote  dip  permitted  in  the  official  dipping  of  sheep  for  scabies, 
provided  the  same  is  used  at  one-fifth  the  maximum  dilution  (five 
times  the  minimum  strength)  specified  for  dipping  sheep.  The  litter 
and  manure  may  be  disinfected  as  above,  or,  if  not  disinfected,  it 
shall  be  stored  away  where  cattle  can  not  reach  it  during  the  period 
from  February  1  to  October  31  of  each  year.  All  chutes,  alleyways, 
and  peus  used  en  route  and  at  destination  but  not  reserved  for  the 


490 


DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 


exclusive  use  of  southern  cattle  shall  be  similarly  disinfected.  Where 
these  animals  are  yarded  adjacent  to  cattle  from  above  the  line  at 
least  a  10-foot  space  not  occupied  by  cattle  must  be  left  between,  on 
the  inside  of  which  shall  be  a  tight  board  fence  not  less  than  6  feet 
high,  and  on  the  outside  a  similar  fence  not  less  than  5  feet  high. 
The  yards  or  portions  of  yards  reserved  for  cattle  of  the  quarantined 
area  shall  be  so  located,  or  such  drainage  facilities  shall  be  provided 
therefor,  that  water  therefrom  will  not  flow  on  to  the  adjacent  prop- 
erty. Furthermore,  provision  has  been  made  for  noninfected  animals 
to  come  out  of  the  infested  area  at  any  season  of  the  year,  but  like 
the  ticky  cattle  they  are  subject  to  the  restriction  that  they  be  dipped 
in  Beaumont  crude  petroleum  or  other  crude  oil  to  prevent  them  from 
becoming  infested  in  passing  through  the  quarantined  district.  And 
they  must  also  be  shipped  in  clean,  disinfected  cars,  aud  must  not  be 
driven  through  the  infected  area  or  unloaded  therein  except  at  points 
designated  by  this  department. 

In  consequence  of  the  enforcement  of  these  quarantine  regulations, 
Texas  fever  has  been  practically  prevented  in  the  noninfected  dis- 
tricts during  the  last  several  years,  and  little  or  no  hardship  has  been 
caused  to  those  stockmen  handling  cattle  from  the  infected  areas. 
Previous  to  their  adoption  the  tick-infested  district  was  rapidly  ex- 
tending northward,  but  since  the  quarantine  line  was  established  and 
rational  regulations  enforced  it  has  gradually  been  moved  farther 
south.  This  problem  of  still  further  reducing  the  infected  area  is  of 
the  greatest  importance  to  the  cattlemen  of  the  South — in  fact,  to 
those  on  both  sides  of  the  line — and  one  which  is  receiving  special 
consideration  by  this  department  as  well  as  by  many  of  the  interested 
States. 

As  an  indication  of  what  may  be  accomplished  by  hearty  coopera- 
tion between  the  State  and  Federal  Governments,  it  is  only  necessary 
to  mention  that  as  a  result  of  a  Congressional  appropriation  of  $82,500 
in  1906  and  1150,000  in  1907,  the  Bureau  of  Animal  Industry,  cooper- 
ating with  the  local  authorities,  succeeded  in  cleaning  up  a  large 
number  of  counties  in  several  States,  and  has  released  from  quaran- 
tine the  following  areas  from  July  11,  1906,  to  June  30,  1908: 


State. 

Whole 
counties. 

Fractional 
counties 

Area  in 
square  miles. 

17 
19 
11 
2 
4 
2 

1 
5 

7,626 

1 
8 

8,655 

6,022 

841 

2,482 

4 

2,612 

660 

2 

£7,630 

Total 

61 

15 

56,528 

INFECTIOUS   DISEASES   OF    CATTLE.  491 

The  amount  thus  released  covers  50,528  square  miles,  an  area  larger 
than  the  entire  State  of  Virginia. 

Congress  again  this  year  has  shown  its  desire  to  sustain  adequately 
these  operations  by  an  appropriation  of  $250,000,  so  if  the  States  will 
do  their  part  in  appropriating  money  and  enforcing  satisfactory  laws 
in  the  infected  districts,  it  would  become  merely  a  matter  of  a  rela- 
tively short  period  of  time  before  the  fever  tick  would  be  extermi- 
nated and  southern  cattle  permitted  to  reach  the  more  favorable 
markets  of  the  North  at  any  time  of  the  year  without  restraint. 
Prices  would  then  be  higher,  the  demand  greater,  and  the  odium 
attached  to  ticky  cattle  at  the  stock  yards  removed.  Purebred 
northern  cattle  could  then  be  brought  into  the  South  to  improve  the 
native  breed  without  danger  of  death  from  Texas  fever,  southern 
animals  could  enter  the  show  rings  of  the  North  without  restriction, 
and  the  total  cost  of  tick  extermination  would  be  far  less  than  the 
amount  saved  in  the  first  year  after  it  had  been  accomplished.  How- 
ever, much  cooperation  must  be  had  between  the  farmer  and  the  State 
and  Federal  Governments  before  such  a  desirable  result  is  possible. 
And  in  the  meantime,  with  such  conditions  attainable,  laxity  should 
not  be  allowed  in  enforcing  the  present  regulations,  national,  state, 
and  local,  and  equal  care  should  be  taken  to  enlighten  the  stock 
raisers  of  the  infected  district  as  to  the  benefits  which  will  follow 
their  thorough  understanding  of  Texas  fever  and  their  intelligent 
assistance  in  its  eradication. 

CHRONIC   BACTERIAL,   DYSENTERY. 

Chronic  bacterial  dysentery  is  a  chronic  infectious  disease  of 
bovines  caused  by  an  acid-fast  bacillus  simulating  the  tubercle 
bacillus  and  characterized  by  marked  diarrhea,  anemia,  and  emacia- 
tion, terminating  in  death. 

Recently  this  disease  has  been  observed  in  the  United  States  for 
the  first  time  by  Pearson  in  Pennsylvania  cattle,  and  later  by  Mohler 
in  Virginia  cattle,  and  in  an  imported  heifer  from  the  island  of  Jersey 
at  the  Athenia  quarantine  station  of  the  Bureau  of  Animal  Industry. 

The  former  has  proposed  the  name  chronic  bacterial  dysentery  for 
this  affection,  and  it  has  also  been  termed  Johne's  disease,  chronic 
bacterial  enteritis,  chronic  hypertrophic  enteritis,  and  chronic  bovine 
pseudotuberculosis  enteritis  by  various  European  investigators.  The 
disease  was  first  studied  in  1895  by  Johne  and  Frothingham  in 
Dresden,  but  they  were  inclined  to  attribute  the  cause  of  the  peculiar 
lesions  of  enteritis  which  they  observed  to  the  avian  tubercle  bacillus. 
In  1904  Markus  reported  this  disease  in  Holland,  and  subsequently  it 
was  observed  in  Belgium,  Switzerland,  Denmark,  and  Great  Britain. 

Cause. — The  bacillus,  which  has  been  invariably  demonstrated  in 
the  intestinal  lesions  and  mesenteric  lymph  glands  in  this  disease,  is 
a  rod  about  2  to  3  microns  loner  and  0.5  micron  wide.     It  stains  more 


492  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

or  less  irregularly  like  the  tubercle  bacillus,  and  moreover  the  simi- 
larity goes  further  in  that  the  organism  is  also  strongly  acid-fast, 
which  facts  led  Johne  and  Frothingham  to  surmise  that  the  disease 
was  caused  by  avian  tubercle  bacilli.  However,  it  has  now  been 
plainly  demonstrated  that  the  bacillus  of  chronic  bacterial  dysentery 
is  readily  distinguished  from  the  latter  organisms,  for  while  it 
resembles  the  tubercle  bacillus  in  form  and  staining  qualities,  no 
one  has  succeeded  in  growing  it  in  culture  media  or  in  reproducing 
the  disease  by  injecting  experiment  animals. 

Symptoms. — Probably  the  first  symptom  noticed  is  that  the  animal 
is  losing  condition  despite  the  fact  that  its  appetite  is  good  and  the 
food  nourishing.  This  is  soon  followed  by  a  diarrhea  which,  while 
moderate  at  first,  soon  becomes  excessive  and  may  be  either  irregular 
or  persistent,  the  feces  being  of  the  consistency  of  molasses  and  passed 
frequently.  In  the  meantime  the  hair  becomes  dry  and  harsh  and 
the  animal  falls  off  considerably  in  weight.  The  temperature,  how- 
ever, remains  about  normal.  The  appetite  does  not  seem  to  be  greatly 
impaired  until  the  last  few  weeks  of  life,  but  nevertheless  emaciation 
continues,  the  animal  becomes  more  and  more  anemic,  great  muscu- 
lar weakness  and  exhaustion  are  manifested,  and  death  follows, 
apparently  as  the  result  of  the  persistent  diarrhea  and  great  emacia- 
tion. The  disease  may  continue  for  four  or  five  weeks  or  may  last 
for  a  year  or  even  longer  before  death  intervenes. 

Lesions. — The  lesions  observed  on  post-mortem  are  remarkabty 
slight  and  out  of  all  proportion  to  the  severity  of  the  symptoms  mani- 
fested. The  disease  appears  to  start  in  the  small  intestines,  especially 
in  the  lower  portion,  where  the  lesions  are  usually  the  most  marked, 
but  it  also  involves  the  large  intestines,  including  the  rectum.  The 
mucous  membrane  may  alone  be  affected,  although  usually  in  the 
long-standing  cases  the  submucosa  is  also  invaded  and  the  entire 
intestinal  wall  is  then  much  thicker  than  normal  and  the  tissue 
infiltrated  with  an  inflammatory  exudate.  The  mucous  membrane 
or  inside  lining  membrane  is  markedly  wrinkled  or  corrugated,  show- 
ing large  coarse  folds  with  more  or  less  reddening  or  hemorrhagic 
patches  or  spots  on  the  summits  of  the  ridges,  especially  noticeable 
in  the  large  intestines.  The  mesenteric  lymph  glands  are  usually 
somewhat  enlarged  and  appear  watery  on  section.  The  other  organs 
do  not  appear  to  be  affected  except  from  the  anemia  present  in  the 
later  stages  of  the  disease. 

Differential  diagnosis. — The  principal  disease  with  which  bacterial 
dysentery  may  be  confused  is  tuberculosis,  but  the  application  of  the 
tuberculin  test  will  readily  diagnose  the  latter  disease,  while  no  reac- 
tion will  be  noted  in  case  the  injected  animal  is  suffering  with  the 
former  affection.  The  disease  may  also  be  mistaken  for  the  parasitic 
affections  resulting  from  stomach  worms  (verminous  gastritis)  and 


INFECTIOUS   DISEASES   OF    CATTLE.  493 

intestinal  parasites,  especially  uncinariasis,  but  a  microscopic  exami- 
nation of  the  feces  is  necessary  in  order  to  establish  definitely  the 
diagnosis. 

Treatment. — As  with  all  other  forms  of  infectious  disease,  it  is 
advisable  to  separate  immediately  the  diseased  and  suspected  cattle 
from  the  healthy  animals.  The  feces  passed  by  the  former  animals 
should  be  placed  on  cultivated  soil  where  healthy  cattle  would  not 
be  exposed  to  them,  as  the  bacilli  producing  the  disease  are  readily 
found  in  such  manure.  The  stalls,  stables,  and  barnyards  should 
also  be  thoroughly  disinfected,  as  has  been  described  under  "Tuber- 
culosis," in  this  chapter,  special  attention  being  given  to  those  places 
which  have  been  soiled  by  feces.  The  administration  of  medicines 
has  thus  far  been  quite  unsatisfactory,  although  treatment  should  be 
directed  toward  disinfecting  the  intestines  with  intestinal  antisep- 
tics, such  as  creolin  in  2  teaspoonf  ul  doses  twice  daily  or  tannopin  in 
1  drain  doses  twice  daily,  and  strengthening  the  animal  by  the  use 
of  stimulants  such  as  strychnin  in  half-grain  doses  given  twice  daily 
hypodermically.  Salol,  turpentine,  or  subnitrale  of  bismuth  in  a 
starch  or  wheat-flour  gruel  may  also  give  temporary  relief,  but  the 
diarrhea  is  likely  to  reappear  and  cause  the  death  of  the  animal.  In 
all  cases  the  food  must  be  carefully  selected  to  assure  good  quality, 
and  should  consist  preferably  of  nutritious  dry  feed. 

NAG  AN  A. 

Nagana,  also  called  tsetse  fly  disease,  is  an  infectious  fever  occur- 
ring chiefly  in  horses  and  cattle,  characterized  by  alternating  par- 
oxysms and  intermissions  and  produced  by  a  specific  flagellate  proto- 
zoan (Trypanosoma  Brucei)  in  the  blood.  It  is  probably  transmitted 
from  animal  to  animal  solely  by  the  bites  of  the  tsetse  fly.  This 
insect  is  something  like  a  large  house  fly,  and  when  it  settles  on  a 
diseased  animal  sucks  the  blood  and  infects  its  proboscis,  it  is  enabled 
on  biting  a  second  animal  to  infect  the  latter  by  direct  inoculation. 
This  disease  is  found  throughout  a  large  portion  of  central  and 
southern  Africa,  along  the  low-lying  and  swampy  valleys.  It  has 
never  occurred  in  the  United  States,  nor  is  it  known  to  be  present  in 
the  Philippines,  but  its  relation  to  surra  and  the  possibility  of  its 
appearance  in  one  of  our  island  dependencies  are  the  reasons  for 
including  a  few  remarks  at  this  time. 

Symptoms. — The  chief  symptoms  in  addition  to  the  fever,  which  is 
usually  about  104°  to  105°  F.,  are  the  muscular  wasting,  progressive 
anemia,  and  loss  of  power,  together  with  the  edema  most  marked 
about  the  head,  legs,  abdomen,  and  genital  organs.  The  urine  is 
yellow  and  turbid,  and  occasionally  contains  albumen  and  blood. 
There  is  paralysis  of  one  or  both  of  the  hind  legs,  difficult  urination 
and  defecation,  labored  breathing,  discharge  from  the  eyes  and  nose, 


494  DISEASES   OF   CATTLE. 

extreme  thirst,  and  gradual  extension  of  paralysis  to  other  parts  of 
the  body.  The  disease  runs  a  chronic  course,  lasting  from  three  to 
six  weeks  in  horses,  and  from  one  to  six  months  in  cattle.  Besides 
these  animals,  the  mule,  ass,  buffalo,  antelope,  hyena,  camel,  and  dog 
contract  the  disease  naturally,  and  sheep,  goats,  cats,  and  small 
laboratory  animals  succumb  to  artificial  inoculation. 

Lesions. — The  spleen  and  lymphatic  glands  are  enlarged.  There 
are  sero-fibrinous  exudates  in  the  body  cavities,  the  liver  is  enlarged 
and  engorged,  heart  flabby,  and  a  catarrhal  condition  is  present  in  the 
respiratory  passages.  Pathological  changes  occur  in  the  spinal  cord. 
The  finding  of  the  trypanosoma  by  microscopic  examination  of  the 
blood  will  be  conclusive  evidence  for  diagnosis. 

Treatment. — Treatment  has  not  proved  satisfactory.  Quinine, 
arsenic,  methylene  blue,  and  other  drugs  have  been  used,  but  without 
success.  Endeavors  thus  far  made  to  produce  immunity  from  this 
disease  have  likewise  been  unavailing. 

CATTLE    FARCY. 

This  is  a  chronic  disease  of  cattle  occurring  in  France  and  the 
island  of  Guadeloupe,  West  Indies.  It  is  characterized  by  caseating 
nodular  swellings,  first  of  the  skin  and  afterwards  of  the  superficial 
lymphatic  vessels  and  glands,  finally  proving  fatal  within  a  year  by 
extension  to  the  viscera.  The  swellings  rupture  and  discharge  a 
purulent  yellowish  fluid,  which  contains  the  causative  organism. 
This  affection,  called  farcin  du  boeufhy  the  French,  resembles  cuta- 
neous glanders  or  farcy  of  horses,  but  is  caused  by  an  entirely  differ- 
ent organism,  the  streptothrix  of  Nocard.  Moreover,  cattle  are  im- 
mune from  glanders  and  for  this  reason  the  name,  unfortunately 
applied  to  this  disease,  should  not  lead  to  any  confusion  with  the 
cutaneous  glanders  or  farcy  of  horses.  Although  the  disease  has 
only  been  described  as  occurring  in  Guadeloupe  and  France,  the 
possibility  of  its  occurrence  in  our  new  possessions  warrants  its  men- 
tion in  this  chapter. 

Treatment. — Treatment  consists  in  making  incisions  into  the  swell- 
ings and  syringing  them  out  with  5  per  cent  creolin  or  carbolic  acid. 
The  cavities  may  then  be  packed  with  cotton  soaked  in  5  per  cent 
zinc  chlorid  solution.  The  swollen  lymphatics  may  also  be  bathed 
or  covered  with  cloths  wrung  out  in  this  solution. 

NOTE. 

The  following  are  also  infectious  diseases  of  cattle,  a  discussion  of 
which  will  be  found  in  previous  chapters: 

Page. 

White  scour  of  calves - 35 

Contagious  abortion. ... —  161 

Infectios  opthalmia  (pink  eye)  - 344 


THE  ANIMAL  PARASITES  OE  CATTLE. 

By  B.  H.  Ransom,  Ph.  D., 
Chief  of  Zoological  Division,  Bureau  of  Animal  Industry. 

The  animal  parasites  of  cattle  comprise  more  than  a  hundred  dif- 
ferent species,  belonging  to  various  groups  of  the  animal  kingdom. 
Fortunately  not  all  of  these  parasites  occur  in  this  country — many  are 
uncommon,  and  many  are  comparatively  harmless.  Some  forms, 
however,  occur  frequently,  and  some  are  of  distinct  importance  to 
the  American  stockman  on  account  of  the  damage  for  which  they  are 
responsible.  It  is  these  parasites  particularly  which  will  be  consid- 
ered in  the  present  article,  and  although  some  forms  are  discussed 
which  are  rare  or  apparently  of  little  economic  importance,  most  of 
the  minor  and  unusual  parasites  and  species  not  found  in  this  country 
have  been  neglected. 

flies.  a 

Of  the  various  species  of  flies  which  infest  cattle  some  are  injurious 
on  account  of  the  annoyance,  pain,  and  loss  of  blood  due  to  their 
bites,  and  sometimes  also  on  account  of  diseases  or  parasites  which 
are  thus  transmitted  from  the  blood  of  diseased  animals  to  the  blood 
of  healthy  cattle,  while  others,  which  in  the  winged  adult  state  do  not 
bite,  are  injurious  because  they  live  parasitic  in  cattle  during  their 
larval  stages. 

Remedies  for  flies. — There  are  various  remedies  to  be  had,  which 
are  more  or  less  efficient  in  protecting  cattle  from  the  attacks  of  flies. 
Most  of  them  have  to  be  applied  frequently  and  few,  if  any,  will  keep 
flies  away  for  more  than  a  day  or  two  following  their  application.  The 
following  mixtures  may  be  made  at  an  average  cost  of  35  to  50  cents 
per  gallon.  The  numerous  proprietary  fly  repellants  to  be  found  on 
the  market  are  usually  more  expensive,  and  often  less  efficient. 

At  the  Minnesota  Experiment  Station  rancid  lard,  1  pound,  and  kero- 
sene, one-half  pint,  mixed  thoroughly  until  a  creamy  mass  forms,  was 
found  to  give  excellent  results  as  a  fly  repellant,  lasting  for  two  or 
three  days,  when  rubbed  not  too  thickly  over  the  backs  of  cows  with 
a  cloth  or  with  the  bare  hand.  Similar  good  results  were  obtained  by 
apptying  a  mixture  of  three  parts  of  fish  oil  and  one  of  kerosene,  with 
a  small  spray  pump.  A  mixture  of  two  parts  of  crude  cotton-seed  oil 
or  fish  oil,  with  one  part  of  pine  tar,  applied  with  a  large  paint  brush, 

a  Further  information  may  be  found  in  a  very  full  report  on  4i  Insects  Affecting 
Domestic  Animals."'  issued  as  Bulletin  5,  new  series,  of  the  Bureau  of  Entomology 
of  this  department. 

495 


496 


DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 


was  found  to  bo  very  successful  at  the  Mississippi  Experiment  Station, 
the  effects  persisting  for  several  days.  A  mixture  of  one  part  of  crude 
carbolic  acid  to  about  ten  parts  of  fish  oil  will  repel  flies  for  two 
or  three  days  when  applied  by  means  of  a  cloth  or  sponge  dipped  into 
the  liquid,  squeezed  partly  dry  and  passed  lightly  over  the  hair.  It 
should  not  be  rubbed  in,  as  it  is  liable  in  that  case  to  cause  blistering. 
The  following  mixture  proved  the  most  useful  fly  repellant  of  any 
tried  at  the  South  Dakota  Experiment  Station:  Fish  oil,  100  parts; 
oil  of  tar,  50  parts;  crude  carbolic  acid,  1  part.  This  was  applied  by 
means  of  a  small  hand  spray  pump.  One  application  proved  efficient 
for  two  days. 

The  Stable  Fly  (Stomoxys  calcitrans). 

This  fly  very  closely  resembles  the  house  fly,  but  unlike  the  latter 
it  is  a  biting  fly.  It  is  common  about  stables  and  often  enters  dwell- 
ings, especially  in  cloudy 
weather.  It  is  the  agent  of 
transmission  of  a  parasitic 
roundworm  of  cattle  (Fila- 
ria  labiato-pap illosa ,  see 
p.  515).  This  species  has  also 
been  accused  of  transmit- 
ting anthrax  from  diseased 
to  healthy  animals,  and 
there  is  some  evidence  to 
show  that  it  may  transmit 
surra,  a  disease  due  to  a 
blood  parasite  which  affects 
horses,  cattle,  and  other  live 
stock. 

The  annoyance  suffered 
by  cattle  and  horses  from 
stable  flies  is  much  lessened 
if  the  stables  are  darkened. 
This  fly  breeds  in  manure, 
especially  fresh  horse  ma- 
nure. By  promptly  disposing  of  manure  dropped  in  stables  and 
barnyards  the  number  of  stable  flies  about  the  premises  can  be 
greatly  reduced. 

The  Hornfly  (H^matobia  serrata). 

This  fly,  now  found  nearly  everywhere  in  the  United  States,  was 
introduced  into  this  country  from  Europe  about  the  year  1885.  Horn- 
flies  have  the  habit  of  clustering  about  the  base  of  the  horn  (fig.  4), 
whence  the  name  by  which  they  are  popularly  known.  They  do  not 
damage  the  horn  and  congregate  there  only  to  rest.  They  are  fre- 
quently seen  in  a  resting  position  on  other  parts  of  the  body  as  well. 


Fig.  3.— Hornfly  (Hxmatobia  serrata)  in  resting  posi- 
tion.    (From  Bureau  of  Entomology.) 


THE    ANIMAL    PARASITES    OF    CATTLE. 


497 


When  resting,  their  wings  are  held  clown  close  to  the  body  (fig.  3); 
when  feeding,  their  wings  are  held  out  nearly  at  right  angles  ready 
for  flight.  They  puncture  the  skin  and  suck  blood,  usually  attacking 
the  upper  parts  of  the  body,  particularly  those  parts  which  are  out 
of  reach  of  the  animal's  head  or  tail.  Unlike  most  flies,  they  remain 
on  the  animal  more  or  less  constantly  day  and  night.  Due  probably 
to  the  irritation  and  annoyance  caused  by  these  flies,  cattle  often  do 
not  thrive  as  they  should  during  seasons  when  hornflies  are  numerous. 
The  hornfly  has  also  been  charged  with  transmitting  diseases,  such 
as  anthrax. 

The  fly  lays  its  eggs  in  freshly  dropped  cow  manure.  They  hatch 
in  about  twenty-four  hours,  and  the  larvae  or  maggots  in  four  or  five 
days  develop  to  the  pupal  stage,  which  lasts  a  week  or  ten  days. 
From  the  pupal  stage  the  mature  fly  emerges.  The  entire  process  of 
development  from  the  deposition  of  the  egg  to  the  appearance  of  the 
mature -fly  therefore  requires  on  an  average  about  two  weeks.     To 


Fig.  4.— Hornflies  (Hxmatobia  serrata)  on  cow  horn.    (From  Bureau  of  Entomology.) 

protect  cattle  from  the  attacks  of  the  hornfly  they  may  be  treated 
with  one  of  the  remedies  mentioned  above  (p.  495).  Scattering  the 
droppings  of  cattle  with  a  shovel,  or  with  brush  dragged  over  pastures, 
in  order  to  insure  the  rapid  drying  of  the  manure  and  consequent 
destruction  of  the  larvre,  is,  when  practicable,  an  efficient  means  of 
reducing  the  number  of  these  flies. 

Buffalo  Gnats. 

These  small  flies,  also  known  as  black  flies,  are  about  one-eighth  of 
an  inch  long  and  have  a  characteristic  "humped"  back  (fig.  5). 
They  breed  in  running  water  and  appear  in  swarms  during  spring 
and  summer,  often  in  enormous  numbers,  causing  great  annoyance  to 
stock  and  human  beings,  on  account  of  their  bites  and  their  entrance 
into  the  eyes,  nose,  mouth,  and  other  openings  of  the  body.  Their 
bites  appear  to  be  poisonous  and  in  seasons  especially  favorable  to 
the  gnats  heavy  losses  of  horses  and  cattle  often  occur. 
61386—08 32 


498 


DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 


Buffalo  gnats  are  more  troublesome  in  bright,  sunny  weather  than 
when  it  is  cloudy,  and  animals  which  have  not  shed  their  winter  coats 
suffer  more  from  their  attacks  than  those  with  smooth  coats.  Cattle 
kept  in  darkened  stables  are  not  molested.  The  application  of  one 
of  the  fly  repellants  already  mentioned  (p.  495)  will  help  to  protect 

animals  from  buffalo  gnats.  The 
burning  of  smudges  is  also  a  useful 
means  of  protecting  stock  from  the 
attacks  of  these  flies. 

Screw  "Worms. 

Screw  worms  (fig.  6)  are  the  mag- 
gots of  a  fly  ( Chrysomyia  macellaria), 
so  called  from  their  fancied  resem- 
blance to  a  screw.  The  adult  fly  (fig. 
7)  is  about  one-third  of  an  inch  long, 
with  a  bluish-green  body,  red  eyes, 
and  with  three  dark  longitudinal 
stripes   on   the   back    (thorax).     At- 


Pig.  5.— Buffalo  gnat.     (From  Bureau  of 
Entomology.) 


Fig.  6. — Screw  worm  (larva  of  Chrysomyia  macel- 
laria).   (From  Bureau  of  Entomology.) 


tracted  by  odors  of  decay  it  deposits 
its  eggs,  300  to  400  at  a  time,  in  cuts, 
sores,  castration  wounds,  etc.  The 
bursting  of  a  tick  on  the  skin  com- 


monly results  in  screw-worm  infec- 
tion at  that  point.  The  eggs  hatch 
in  a  few  hours  and  the  larvre  or 
maggots,  or  so-called  screw  worms, 
begin  to  burrow  into  the  flesh  and 
continue  burrowing  and  feeding 
from  four  to  six  days,  after  which 
they  leave  the  wound  and  crawl 
into  the  earth,  there  transforming 
into  the  quiescent  pupal  stage. 
After  this  stage  has  lasted  for  one 

to  two  weeks,  the  mature  fly  appears.     From  two  to  three  weeks  are 

therefore  required  for  the  entire  life  cycle. 

Besides  cattle,  the  screw-worm  fly  attacks  sheep,  horses,  hogs,  and 

man.     In  the  case  of  hogs  it  is  generally  the  ears  which  are  affected. 


Fig.  7.— Screw-worm  fly  (Chrysomyia  macet 
laria).    (From  Bureau  of  Entomology  ) 


THE   ANIMAL   PARASITES   OF   CATTLE. 


499 


The  fly  also  breeds  in  dead  animals,  and  all  carcasses  should  there- 
fore be  buried  deeply  or  burned. 

Treatment  for  screw  worms. — For  proper  treatment  an  animal  suf- 
fering from  screw  worms  should  be  caught  and  thrown.  Pour  chloro- 
form into  the  wound,  taking  care  that  it  penetrates  thoroughly  into 
all  the  burrows  of  the  screw  worms,  if  necessary  using  a  slender  stick 
or  a  small  bunch  of  twisted  hay  as  a  probe.  The  animal  should  be 
held  for  several  minutes  in  order  to  insure  the  continued  action  of 


Fig.  8.— The  warble  fly  (Hypoderma  lineata):  a,  adult  female;  6,  eggs  attached  to  a  hair,  x  25; 
c,  larva  as  seen  in  egg;  d,  larva  from  esophagus  of  an  ox;  e,  next  stage  of  larva  from  beneath 
the  skin  of  the  back;  /,  larva  at  the  stage  when  it  leaves  the  back  of  cattle  and  falls  to  the 
ground — all  enlarged  (after  Riley). 

the  chloroform.  Finally  the  wound  should  be  dressed  with  a  car- 
bolic or  cresylic  ointment  to  promote  healing  and  thus  prevent  fur- 
ther infection,  or  the  wound  may  be  painted  with  pine  tar. 

Grubs,  Warbles,  Bots. 

The  common  parasites  known  as  grubs,  warbles,  bots,  etc.  (fig.  8), 
found  under  the  skin  of  the  backs  of  cattle,  where  they  form  more  or 
less  conspicuous  lumps  during  the  latter  pai*t  of  winter  and  spring, 


500  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

are  the  larvae  of  a  fty  known  as  the  heel  fly  or  warble  fly.  This  fly 
(Hypoderma  lineata)  is  about  one-half  inch  long,  very  hairy,  and 
somewhat  resembles  a  small  black  bee  in  appearance.  The  flies 
appear  early  in  the  summer  and  are  more  or  less  prevalent  until  the 
beginning  of  cold  weather.  They  deposit  their  eggs  on  the  skin  of 
cattle,  fastening  them  to  the  hairs.  Many  eggs  are  deposited  on  the 
heels  above  the  hoofs,  hence  the  name  "heel  fly." 

Although  the  flies  are  unable  to  bite,  cattle  seem  to  be  much  afraid 
of  them  and  apparently  are  sometimes  stampeded  by  them.  Either 
the  eggs  or  the  tiny  maggots  hatching  from  them  are  carried  into  the 
mouth  by  the  cattle  licking  themselves.  In  the  former  event  the 
eggs  hatch  in  the  mouth  or  in  the  paunch.  In  either  case  the  maggots 
or  larvse  migrate  into  the  esophagus,  or  gullet,  and  penetrate  into  its 
walls,  where  they  undergo  a  portion  of  their  development.  From  the 
esophagus  the  larvae  migrate  through  the  tissues  of  the  body  toward 
the  back,  and  according  to  one  investigator  enter  the  spinal  canal, 
where  they  spend  a  certain  period.  Finally  they  appear  about  Jan- 
uary beneath  the  skin  of  the  back,  forming  the  well-known  swellings. 
The  posterior  end  of  the  grub  is  near  the  small  opening  in  the  hide, 
through  which  the  grub  breathes  and  discharges  its  excrement,  and 
through  which,  when  its  development  is  complete,  it  finally  escapes. 
The  anterior  end  of  the  grub  is  at  the  bottom  of  the  tumor,  where 
the  mucus  collects  upon  which  it  feeds.  By  spring  or  early  summer 
the  grub  is  full  grown  and  forces  its  way  out  of  the  skin,  falling  to 
the  ground,  into  which  it  burrows  for  a  short  distance  and  transforms 
into  the  pupal  stage.     In  about  a  month  the  mature  fly  emerges. 

Grubs  weaken  cattle,  cause  them  to  fall  off  in  flesh  and  milk,  and 
decrease  the  value  of  the  hide.  The  beef  in  the  immediate  vicinity 
of  a  grub  becomes  slimy  and  of  a  greenish  color,  and  is  known  to  the 
butchers  as  "licked  beef." 

The  total  loss  to  this  country  on  account  of  the  warble  fly  is  esti- 
mated at  $35,000,000  to  $50,000,000  a  year. 

Treatment  for  warbles. — During  the  winter  press  out  the  grubs  and 
destroy  them,  using  a  knife  if  necessary  to  enlarge  the  opening;  or 
inject  a  few  drops  of  kerosene  into  the  swelling  through  the  opening, 
using  a  machinist's  oil  can  for  the  purpose.  To  keep  off  the  flies 
during  the  summer,  the  cattle  may  be  frequently  treated  with  one  of 
the  fly  repellants  already  mentioned  (p.  495). 

LICE.a 

Three  species  of  lice,  two  of  them  sucking  lice  (Hmmatopinus  eury- 
sternus,  the  short-nosed  cattle  louse,  and  H.  vituli,  the  long-nosed 
cattle  louse),  commonly  known  as  blue  lice,  and  one  biting  louse 
(Trichodectes  scalaris),  commonly  known  as  red  louse,  affect  cattle. 

a  For  further  information  see  Bulletin  5,  new  series,  Bureau  of  Entomology. 


THE   ANIMAL    PARASITES    OF    CATTLE. 


501 


The  blue  lice  (figs.  9,  10)  suck  the  blood  of  cattle  and  are  more 

injurious  than  the  red  lice  (fig.  11).     Unless  very  abundant  the  latter 

cause  little  injury.     If  numerous  they  irritate  and 

woriy  their  host  probably  more   by  their   sharp 

claws  than  by  their  bites,  as  their  food  seems  to 

consist  entirely  of  particles  of  hair  and  dead  skin. 
Cattle  lice  reproduce  by  means  of  eggs  or  nits 

(fig.  12)  which  they  fasten  to  the  hair.     The  blue 

lice  infest  chiefly  the  neck  and  shoulders;  red  lice, 

when  present,  may  be  found  almost  anywhere  on 

the  body,  but  are  usually 
most  numerous  on  neck, 
shoulders,  and  at  the  root 
of  the  tail. 

On  account  of  the  itch- 
ing due  to  the  lice,  in- 
fested cattle  rub  against 
posts,  trees,  etc.,  and  lick 
themselves,  the  hair  some- 
times coming  out  and  the  skin  becoming 
thickened  so  that  mange  may  be  suspected. 
Treatment    for 


Fig.  9.— Short-nosed  blue 
louse  (Hxmatopinus 
eurysternus)  of  cattle. 
(From  Bureau  of  Ento- 
mology.) 


Fig.  10.— Long-nosed  blue  louse 
(Hxmatopinus  vituli)  of  cattle. 
(From  Bureau  of  Entomology.) 


lice. — Cattle  infested 
with  lice  should  be 
dipped  in  the  spring 
and  again  in  the  fall, 
using  a  coal-tar  or  tobacco  dip,  or  Beaumont 
oil  emulsion  (see  p.  501).  If  only  a  few  cattle 
are  to  be  treated  the  dip  may  be  applied  with 
a  brush  or  cloth,  or  with  a  small  spray  pump, 
or  a  mixture  of   kerosene  one-half  pint  and 

lard  1  pound  may  be 
smeared  on  the  body. 

MANGE,  ITCH,  SCAB.a 


^~S, 


Fig.  12. — Egg  of  short-nosed  blue 
louse  {Hcematopinus  eurysternus) 
attached  to  a  hair.  (From  Bu- 
reau of  Entomology.) 


Cattle  are  subject 
to  four  kinds  of 
mange,  of  which 
common  mange  or 
psoroptic  mange  is 
the  most  important. 

Psoroptic  mange  of  cattle  is  caused  by  a 
species  of  small  mites  (fig.  13)  which  multi- 


Fig.  11.— -Red  louse  ( Triehodedes 
scalaris)  of  cattle.  (From  Bu- 
reau of  Entomology.) 


«For  a  fuller  discussion  see  Farmers'  Bulletin  152,  issued  by  the  United  States 
Department  of  Agriculture. 


502 


DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 


ply  rapidly  and  are  spread  from  diseased  to  healthy  cattle  by  bodily 
contact,  or  by  pens,  stables,  railroad  cars,  etc.,  recently  occupied  by 
mangy  cattle.  The  mites  attack  the  skin  and  cause  it  to  become 
thickened  and  covered  with  crusts  and  scabs,  with  a  consequent  loss 
of  hair.  Intense  itching  accompanies  the  disease  and  affected  cattle 
are  more  or  less  constantly  rubbing  and  licking  themselves.  Pso- 
roptic mange  commences  at  the  root  of  the  tail,  or  on  the  neck,  or 
withers,  and  gradually  extends  over  the  back  up  to  the  head,  over 

the  sides,  and  may 
finally  affect  nearly 
the  entire  body  ex- 
cept the  legs.  In 
serious  cases  the 
skin  may  become 
ulcerated;  the  ani- 
mals become  greatly 
weakened  and  ema- 
ciated, and  finally 
die.  By  taking 
scrapings  from  the 
edges  of  scabby 
patches  and  placing 
them  on  a  piece  of 
black  paper  in  a 
warm  place  the 
mites  may  be  seen 
as  tiny  white  objects 
crawling  over  the 
paper,  more  dis- 
tinctly if  a  magnify- 
ing glass  is  used. 
Mange  may  be  con- 
fused with  lousi- 
ness, ringworm,  or 
with  any  condition 
in  which  there  is 
itching  or  loss  of 
hair,  but  if  mites  are  found  there  is  no  question  of  the  diagnosis. 
The  disease  is  worse  during  cold,  wet  weather.  Mangy  cattle  when 
on  good  pasture  during  the  summer  often  seem  to  recover,  but  in  the 
fall  the  disease  again  appears  in  a  severe  form. 

Treatment  for  psoroptic  mange. — The  most  generally  used  and  most 
satisfactory  method  of  treating  cattle  mange  consists  in  dipping  the 
a  n  i  mals  in  a  vat  filled  with  a  liquid  of  such  a  nature  that  it  will  kill  the 
parasites  without  injuring  the  cattle.  Vats  for  dipping  cattle  are  built 
of  wood,  stone,  or  concrete,  and  vary  in  length  from  30  to  100  feet  or 


Pig.  13. — Mite  which  causes  psoroptic  scab  of  sheep — enlarged 
about  100  times.  The  niite  of  psoroptic  cattle  mange  is  almost 
identical  in  appearance. 


THE    ANIMAL    PARASITES    OF    CATTLE.  503 

more.  They  vary  in  width  from  4  to  7  feet  at  the  top,  and  2  to  3  feet 
at  the  bottom,  and  the  depth  may  be  from  7  to  10  feet.  A  narrow  chute 
through  which  the  cattle  are  driven  leads  up  to  one  end  of  the  vat,  where 
a  steep  slide  pitches  the  cattle  into  the  dipping  fluid,  through  which 
they  swim,  and  climb  out  of  the  vat  at  the  other  end,  which  is  built 
sloping  and  provided  with  cross  cleats  to  give  the  animals  a  foothold. 
A  draining  pen  with  floor  sloping  back  toward  the  vat  is  generally 
provided.  The  dip  should  be  used  warm,  100°  to  110°  F.,  and  the 
cattle  should  be  held  in  the  vat  for  two  minutes  to  insure  thorough 
action  of  the  dip.  The  head  of  each  animal  should  be  ducked  at  least 
once.  Care  should  be  taken  that  the  vat  contains  a  sufficient  depth 
of  fluid  to  swim  the  animals  to  be  dipped.  The  dipping  fluid  may  be 
heated  from  a  steam  boiler  by  pipes  or  hose,  or  water  heated  in  large 
iron  cauldrons  or  tanks  may  be  used  for  charging  the  vat,  and  hot 
water  with  a  proper  quantity  of  dip  added  from  time  to  time  as  the 
dipping  fluid  becomes  cool. 

If  Beaumont  oil  emulsion  be  used  one  treatment  will  be  sufficient. 
With  other  dips  two  treatments  are  required,  the  second  treatment 
being  given  ten  days  after  the  first.  The  second  treatment  is  neces- 
sary to  kill  the  few  parasites  which  sometimes  escape  at  the  first 
treatment,  either  in  the  egg  stage  or  as  fecundated  females. 

The  following  dips  are  approved  by  the  Department  of  Agriculture 
for  dipping  mangy  cattle  which  are  to  enter  interstate  commerce: 

LIME-AND-SULPHUR   DIP. 

The  lime-and- sulphur  dip  is  made  iu  the  proportion  of  12  pounds  of  unslaked 
lime,  24  pounds  of  the  flowers  of  sulphur,  and  100  gallons  of  water. 

Directions  for  preparing  100  gallons  of  dip. — Weigh  out  the  lime,  12  pounds, 
and  sulphur,  24  pounds.  Place  the  unslaked  lime  in  a  shallow,  water-tight  box 
similar  to  a  mortar  box,  or  some  suitable  vessel,  and  add  enough  water  to  slake 
the  lime  and  form  a  lime  paste  or  lime  putty.  Sift  into  this  lime  paste  the  flowers 
of  sulphur  and  stir  well;  then  place  the  lime-and-sulphur  paste  in  a  kettle,  boiler,  or 
tank  containing  30  gallons  of  water,  the  water  being  first  heated  nearly  to  the  boil- 
kig  point.  Boil  the  mixture  for  two  hours  at  least,  stirring  frequently;  add  water 
occasionally  to  maintain  the  original  quantity.  Allow  the  mixture  to  settle  in  the 
tank  or  draw  the  entire  contents  of  the  kettle  or  boiling  tank  into  a  large  tub  or 
barrel  placed  near  the  dipping  vat  and  provided  with  a  bunghole  about  4  inches 
from  the  bottom,  and  then  allow  ample  time  to  settle — from  two  to  three  hours  or 
more  if  necessary.  When  fully  settled,  draw  off  the  clear  liquid  into  the  dipping 
vat,  taking  care  not  to  allow  any  of  the  sediment  to  accompany  it,  as  the  sediment 
will  injure  the  wool.  The  clear  liquid  thus  obtained  only  requires  the  addition 
of  sufficient  clear  warm  water  to  bring  the  total  up  to  100  gallons.  Flowers  of 
stilphur  must  be  used,  and  the  lime  must  be  of  good  quality. 

TOBACCO-AND-SULPHUR   DIP. 

The  tobacco-and-sulphur  dip  is  made  with  sufficient  extract  of  tobacco,  or  nico- 
tine solution,  to  give  a  mixture  containing  not  less  than  five  one-hundredths  of 
1  per  cent  nicotine  and  2  per  cent  flowers  of  sulphur.  Sufficient  nicotine  would 
therefore  be  furnished  for  96  gallons  (about  800  pounds)  of  dip  by  1  pound  of  a 


504  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

40  per  cent  solution  of  nicotine.  The  formula  for  this  dip  would  be:  Nicotine, 
four-tenths  of  a  pound;  flowers  of  sulphur,  16  pounds;  water,  96  gallons. 

To  calculate  how  much  nicotine  solution  or  extract  of  tobacco  should  be  used 
for  98  gallons  of  water,  divide  the  quantity  of  nicotine  required  in  the  dip  by  the 
proportion  of  nicotine  in  the  extract.  For  example,  suppose  the  nicotine  solution 
contains  25  per  cent  nicotine,  we  have  0.40-5-0.25=1.6.  Therefore  in  this  case  it 
would  require  1.6  pounds  of  nicotine  solution  for  the  96  gallons  of  dip.  Or,  if  a 
tobacco  extract  is  used,  having  for  example  2.4  per  cent  of  nicotine,  the  formula 
would  be  as  follows:  0.40-^-0.024=16.66,  and  therefore  16.66  pounds  would  be 
required  for  96  gallons  of  dip.  Do  not  use  any  preparation  the  strength  of  which 
is  not  given  on  the  outside  of  the  package. 

In  preparing  these  dips  the  tobacco  solution  and  sulphur  should  be  mixed  to- 
gether with  water  before  adding  them  to  the  water  in  the  dipping  vat.  The  dip 
should  on  no  account  be  heated  above  110°  F.  after  the  nicotine  solution  is  added, 
as  heat  is  liable  to  evaporate  the  nicotine  and  weaken  the  dip. 

BEAUMONT   OIL  EMULSION. 

Directions  for  making  100  gallons.  —Dissolve  with  the  aid  of  heat  5  pounds  of 
hard  soap  (ordinary  laundry  soaps  are  satisfactory)  in  5  gallons  of  soft  water;  to 
this  solution  add  20  gallons  of  Beaumont  crude  petroleum  or  a  similar  oil  which 
may  or  may  not  contain  sulphur,  mixing  with  a  spray  pump,  or  otherwise,  in  a 
thorough  manner.  To  this  concentrated  emulsion  add  sufficient  soft  water  to 
bring  the  total  up  to  100  gallons,  keeping  the  whole  mass  thoroughly  agitated. 

When  properly  prepared  the  concentrated  emulsion  will  stand  indefinitely  with- 
out any  tendency  t  ward  a  separati  n  of  the  oil  and  water,  and  can  b?  diluted  in 
any  proportion  with  cold  soft  water. 

Chorioptic  mange,  due  to  a  different  species  of  mite  from  that  caus- 
ing common  cattle  mange,  is  confined  almost  entirely  to  the  region  at 
the  root  of  the  tail  and  may  persist  for  years  if  not  treated.  The 
treatment  is  the  same  as  for  psoroptic  mange. 

Demodedic  mange,  which  is  due  to  a  small  parasite  that  lives  in  the 
hair  follicles,  causing  pustules,  especially  on  the  neck  and  shoulders, 
occurs  occasionally  among  cattle  in  this  country  and  is  of  impor- 
tance on  account  of  the  injury  to  the  hide.  When  tanned,  hides 
infested  by  this  parasite  are  pitted,  the  pits,  in  some  cases,  being  so 
deep  that  they  form  holes.  No  practicable  treatment  is  known  for 
this  disease. 

TICKS.® 

About  10  species  of  ticks  have  been  reported  as  parasites  of  cattle 
in  the  United  States.  The  most  common  and  the  most  important  is 
the  species  known  as  Margaropus  annulatus,  which  transmits  Texas 
fever.  Information  concerning  this  tick  and  Texas  fever  has  been 
given  elsewhere  in  this  volume  (p.  461). 


a  For  a  more  complete  discussion  consult  Farmers'  Bulletin  258,  and  Bulletin  72 
of  the  Bureau  of  Entomology,  both  issued  by  the  United  States  Department  of 
Agriculture. 


THE   ANIMAL    PARASITES   OF   CATTLE. 


505 


The  ear  tick  (Omithodoros  megnini)  is  frequently  found  in  the 
ears  of  cattle  in  the  western  United  States. 

Treatment  for  ear  ticks. — On  account  of  their  protected  location 
ear  ticks  are  not  affected  by  dipping  or  spraying.  Ear  ticks  are  very 
difficult  to  kill,  and  remedies  strong  enough  for  this  purpose  are 
liable  to  injure  the  cattle,  but  the  parasites  may  be  expelled  by  pour- 
ing into  the  ear  noninjurious  substances  such  as  cotton-seed  oil, 
linseed  oil,  20  per  cent  emulsion  of  crude  petroleum,  or  almost  any 
stock  dip  diluted  as  for  use  in  dipping. 

BLOODSUCKERS    OR   LEECHES. 

These  worms  are  sometimes  taken  up  by  cattle  when  drinking  from 
ponds.     They  may  attach   themselves  to  the  inner  surface  of  the 
mouth  or  nose,  and  sometimes  reach  the  upper  part  of  the  windpipe 
or  of  the  gullet.     Bleeding  at  the  mouth  or 
nose  may  be  noticed,  the  membranes  where 
the  leech  is  attached  are  liable  to  be  swollen 
and  congested,  and  as  a  result  of  the  loss  of 
blood  a  condition  of  anemia  may  result. 

Treatment  for  bloodsuckers. — If  the  worm 
can  be  reached  it  may  be  destroyed  by  cut- 
ting it  in  two  with  a  pair  of  scissors,  or  it 
may  be  removed  with  forceps  or  with  the  fin- 
gers after  wrapping  a  towel  around  the  hand  so 
that  the  worm  can  be  held  without  slipping. 
Fumigation  with  tobacco  or  tar  may  cause 
the  worm  to  release  its  hold  if  it  can  not 
be  removed  by  other  means.  Ponds  may 
be  rid  of  infestation  with  bloodsuckers  by  the  introduction  of  eels. 

PARASITES    OF   THE    STOMACH. 

The  stomach  of  cattle  consists  of  four  compartments,  of  which  the 
first  and  fourth  are  most  likely  to  be  the  seat  of  parasitic  infestation. 
The  first  stomach,  or  paunch,  contains  large  numbers  of  minute  para- 
sites known  as  protozoa,  which  are  too  small  to  be  seen  with  the 
naked  eye.  These  small  organisms  apparently  are  in  no  way  injuri- 
ous. A  species  of  fluke  {Paramphistomum  cervi)  is  occasionally 
found  in  North  American  cattle,  especially  grass-fed  cattle,  attached 
to  the  inner  surface  of  the  first  stomach  (fig.  14).  This  worm  is  about 
one-half  inch  long,  and  somewhat  conical  in  shape,  hence  the  name, 
conical  fluke,  by  which  it  is  sometimes  known.  Although  this 
parasite  has  been  accused  of  producing  serious  effects,  it  is  generally 
considered  harmless. 

Several  species  of  roundworms  may  occur  in  the  fourth  stomach. 
Two  of  these  are  of  special  importance. 


Fig.  14.  -Portion  of  the  wall  of 
the  first  stomach  with  con- 
ical flukes  (Paramphisto- 
mum  cervi)  attached. 


506 


DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 


Fig.  15.— Twisted 
stomach  worm 
(Hcemonchus  con- 
tortus. ) 


The  Twisted  Stomach  Worm  (Hcemonchus  contortus)."* 

The  twisted  stomach  worm  (Hcemonchus  contortus,  figs.  15, 16, 17)  is 

sometimes  found  in  enormous  numbers  in  the  fourth  stomach  of  cattle. 
Sheep,  goats,  and  other  ruminants  may  also  be  infested 
with  it.  Among  the  symptoms  caused  by  this  para- 
site may  be  mentioned  anemia,  loss  of  flesh,  general 
weakness,  dullness,  capricious  appetite,  excessive 
thirst,  and  diarrhea.  The  anemic  condition  is  seen 
in  the  pale- 
ness of  the 
skin     and 

mucous   membranes   of    the 

mouth  and  eye,  and  in  the 

watery  swellings  which  often 

develop  under  the  lower  jaw 

("poverty  jaw").     If    the 

fourth  stomach  of  a  dead  ani- 
mal be  cut  open  and  the  con- 
tents carefully  examined,  the 

parasites,    which    are    from 

one-half  inch  to  1^  inches  in 

length  and  about  as  thick  as 

an  ordinary  pin,  may  be  seen, 

if  present  in  any  considerable 

number,   actively    wriggling 

about  like  little  snakes. 
Cattle     become     infected 

with  these  parasites  by  graz- 
ing on  pastures  on  which  in- 
fested cattle,  sheep,  or  goats 

have    grazed    and    scattered 

their  droppings.     The  worms 

in   the   stomach    produce   a 

multitude  of  eggs  (fig.  16c)  of 

microscopic  size,  which  pass 

out  of  the  body  in  the  feces. 

In  warm  weather  these  eggs 

hatch  in  a  few  hours.     If  the 

temperature  is  below  40°  F. 

they  remain  dormant,  and  if 

below  freezing  they  soon  die. 

The  eggs  are  also  killed  by 

dryness,    moisture     on    the 

^  '  Fig.  16.— Twisted  stomach  worms  (Hcemonchus 

other    hand    favoring    their  contortus). 


"  A  more  extended  discussion  of  this  parasite  appears  in  Circulars  93  and  102  of 
the  Bureau  of  Animal  Industry. 


THE   ANIMAL    PARASITES    OF    CATTLE. 


507 


development.  The  embryos  which  hatch  from  the  eggs  are  micro- 
scopic in  size,  and  like  the  eggs  are  susceptible  to  freezing  and  drying. 
In  very  warm  weather  the  embryos  complete  their  development,  so 
far  as  they  are  able  to  develop  outside  the  body,  in  two  or  three  days. 
In  cooler  weather  the  time  required  for  this  development  is  longer, 
and  at  temperatures  below  70°  F.  ten  days  to  several  weeks  may  be 
necessary.  The  embryos  are  then  ready  to  be  taken  into  the  body. 
The  eggs  and  early  stages  of  the  embryos  apparently  do  not  develop 
if  swallowed,  hence  only  this  latter  stage  seems  to  be  infectious. 
In  this  stage  they  migrate  up  grass  stalks  (fig.  17)  or  other  objects, 
showing  activity  whenever  the  air  is  saturated 
with  moisture;  that  is,  during  rains,  fogs,  and 
dews.  When  the  air  becomes  dry  and  the 
moisture  evaporates  from  the  grass  the  young 
worms  cease  their  activity,  resuming  their  mi- 
grations when  the  air  again  becomes  overladen 
with  moisture.  Embryos  which  have  developed 
to  the  infectious  stage,  unlike  the  eggs  and 
earlier  embryonic  stages,  are  able  to  survive 
long  periods  of  freezing  and  dryness.  In  two 
weeks  to  a  month  after  the  embryos  are  swal- 
lowed they  reach  maturity  and  begin  producing 
eggs. 

Treatment  for  twisted  stomach  worms — 
Preventive  measures. — Preventive  measures  are 
important.  As  moisture  favors  the  develop- 
ment of  the  embryos,  high  sloping  ground  is 
preferable  for  pastures.  If  low  ground  is  uesd 
it  should  be  properly  drained.  Do  not  over- 
stock pastures.  Burning  over  the  pasture  will 
destroy  most  of  the  young  worms  on  the  grass 
and  on  the  ground,  and,  if  possible,  this  means 
of  disinfection  should  be  used  at  least  once  a 
year.  Change  the  herd  to  fresh  pasture  as 
often  as  possible.  Cattle  should  be  supplied 
with  water  from  wells,  springs,  or  flowing 
streams,  preferably  in  tanks  or  troughs  raised  above  the  ground. 
To  a  slight  degree,  salt  serves  to  protect  cattle  against  infection 
with  internal  parasites,  and  plenty  of  it  should  therefore  be  kept 
accessible. 

Medicinal  treatment. — Among  the  remedies  used  to  remove  stomach 
worms  may  be  mentioned  coal-tar  creosote,  bluestone,  and  gasoline. 
It  is  advisable  to  treat  not  only  the  animals  which  are  seriously  affected, 
but  the  rest  of  the  herd  as  well,  since  the  parasites  with  which  they 
are  infested  will  remain  as  a  source  of  reinfection  to  the  others.  The 
cattle  should  be  removed  to  fresh  pasture  after  treatment,  if  possible. 


Fig.  17. —Embryo  of  twisted 
stomach  worm  (Hcemon- 
chus  contortus)  coiled  on 
tip  of  grass  blade. 


508 


DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 


The  animals  to  be  treated  should  be  derjrived  of  feed  for  twelve  to 
sixteen  or  even  twenty-four  hours  before  they  are  dosed,  and  if  blue- 
stone  is  used  should  receive  no  water  on  the  day  they  are  dosed,  either 
before  or  after  dosing.  In  drenching,  a  long-necked  bottle  or  a  drench- 
ing tube  may  be  used.  In  case  a  bottle  is  used  the  dose  to  be  given 
may  be  first  measured  off,  poured  into  the  bottle,  and  the  point  marked 
on  the  outside  of  the  bottle  with  a  file,  so  that  subsequent  doses  may 
be  measured  in  the  bottle  itself.  A  simple  form  of  drenching  tube 
(fig.  18)  consists  of  a  piece  of  rubber  tubing  about  3  feet  long  and 
one-half  inch  in  diameter,  with  an  ordinary  tin  funnel  inserted  in  one 
end  and  a  piece  of  brass  or  iron  tubing  4  to  6  inches  long  and  of 
suitable  diameter  inserted  in  the  other  end.  In  use  the  metal  tube  is 
placed  in  the  animal's  mouth  between  the  back 
teeth,  and  the  dose  is  poured  into  the  funnel, 
which  is  either  held  by  an  assistant  or  fastened  to  a 
post.  The  flow  of  liquid  through  the  tube  is  con- 
trolled by  pinching  the  rubber  tubing  near  the 
point  of  union  with  the  metal  tube.  It  is  impor- 
tant not  to  raise  the  animal's  head  too  high  on 
account  of  the  danger  of  the  dose  entering  the 
lungs.  The  nose  should  not  be  raised  higher 
than  the  level  of  the  eyes.  The  animal  may  be 
dosed  either  standing  on  all  fours  or  lying  on  the 
side.  It  has  been  found  by  experiment  that  if 
the   dose  is  taken  quietly  most  of  it  will  pass 


Flo.  18. — A  drenching  tube  made  from  an  ordinary  tin  funnel,  a  piece  of  rubber  hose,  and  a  piece 

of  brass  pipe. 

directly  to  the  fourth  stomach  when  the  animal  is  dosed  in  a  stand- 
ing position,  and  that  when  the  animal  is  dosed  lying  down  little  or 
none  of  the  dose  passes  immediately  to  the  fourth  stomach.  From 
this  it  is  evident  that  the  position  on  all  fours  is  preferable,  as  more 
of  the  dose  passes  to  the  place  where  its  action  is  required. 

Great  care  should  be  used  not  only  in  dosing  to  avoid  the  entrance 
of  the  liquid  into  the  lungs,  but  also  in  the  preparation  and  adminis- 
tration of  the  remedy  so  that  the  solution  may  not  be  too  strong  or 
the  dose  to  large. 

Coal-tar  creosote. — Good  results  have  been  obtained  from  a  single  dose  of  a  1 
per  cent  solution  of  a  coal-tar  creosote.  This  solution  is  made  by  shaking  together 
1  ounce  of  coal-tar  creosote  and  99  ounces  (6  pints  3  ounces)  of  water.  The  doses 
of  this  1  per  cent  mixture  are  as  follows: 

Calves  3  to  8  months  old 5  to  10  ounces. 

Yearling  steers 1  pint. 

Two-year-olds  and  above ..- 1  quart. 


THE  ANIMAL  PARASITES  OF  CATTLE.  509 

Serious  objections  to  the  use  of  coal-tar  creosote  have  been  found  in  that  the  sub- 
stance known  by  this  name  varies  considerably  in  composition  and  in  that  some 
trouble  is  often  experienced  in  obtaining  it  in  many  parts  of  the  country.  Com- 
plaints have  been  made  that  the  substance  dispensed  by  some  druggists  as  coal- 
tar  creosote  has  failed  to  give  satisfactory  results. 

Bluestone.—  Bluestone,  or  copper  sulphate,  has  been  extensively  used  in  South 
Africa  in  the  treatment  of  sheep  and  cattle  for  stomach  worms  and  is  recom- 
mended by  the  colonial  veterinary  surgeon  of  the  Cape  Colony  as  the  best  and 
safest  remedy.  To  prepare  the  solution  take  1  pound  (avoirdupois)  of  pure  blue- 
stone,  powder  it  fine  and  dissolve  in  91  gallons  of  warm  water.  It  is  better  to  first 
dissolve  th  >  bluestone  in  2  or  3  quarts  of  boiling  water,  then  add  the  remaining 
quantity  of  cold  water,  and  mix  thoroughly.  This  solution  may  be  given  to 
cattle  in  the  following-sized  doses: 

Calves .. 3+ to  4  ounces. 

Yearlings , 6  ounces. 

Two-jear-olds  and  above 12  to  16  ounces. 

In  making  up  the  s  ilution  only  clear  blue  crystals  of  bluestone  should  be  used. 
Bluestone  with  white  patches  or  crusts  should  be  rejected.  It  is  especially  im- 
portant that  the  bluestone  and  water  be  accurately  weighed  and  measured,  and 
that  the  size  of  the  dose  be  graduated  according  to  the  age  of  the  animal. 

Gasoline.— Gasoline  is  one  of  the  most  popular  remedies  for  stomach  worms 
which  have  been  used  in  this  country,  and  has  the  particular  advantage  of  being 
readily  obtained.  It  is  important  to  repeat  the  dose  if  the  gasoline  treatment  is 
employed,  and  it  is  usual  to  administer  the  treatment  on  three  successive  days, 
as  follows: 

The  evening  before  the  first  treatment  is  to  be  given  the  animals  are  shut  up 
without  feed  or  water  and  are  dosed  about  10  o'clock  the  next  morning.  Three 
hours  later  they  are  allowed  feed  and  water,  and  at  night  they  are  again  shut  up 
without  feed  or  water.  The  next  morning  the  second  dose  is  given,  and  the 
third  morning  the  third  dose,  the  treatment  before  and  after  dosing  being  the 
same  in  each  case.     The  sizes  of  the  doses  are  as  follows: 

Calves i  ounce. 

Yearling  steers 1  ounce. 

The  dose  ior  each  animal  is  measured  and  mixed  separately  in  linseed  oil,  milk, 
or  flaxseed  tea  and  administered  by  means  of  a  bottle  or  drenching  tube.  Gaso- 
line should  not  be  given  in  water. 

Other  remedies. — Many  other  remedies  in  addition  to  those  mentioned  here 
have  been  used  in  the  treatment  of  stomach- worm  disease  with  more  or  less  suc- 
cess. Several  of  the  coal-tar  dips  on  the  market  are  recommended  by  the  manu- 
facturers for  the  treatment  of  worms,  and  the  action  of  some  of  them  is  much 
the  same  as  that  of  coal-tar  creosote. 

It  is  not  the  policy  of  the  department  to  recommend  the  use  of  any  particular 
proprietary  remedy,  and  as  the  action  of  some  such  agents  is  very  uncertain  it  is 
suggested  that,  if  it  is  desired  to  use  them,  they  be  used  with  caution  and  only  in 
accordance  with  the  printed  directions  on  the  package.  Whatever  remedy  is 
used  it  is  wise  to  test  it  on  two  or  three  animals  before  the  entire  herd  is  dosed. 

The  Encysted  Stomach  Worm  (Ostertagia  ostertagi). 

This  parasite  is  as  thick  as  a  fine  hair  and  less  than  half  an  inch 
in  length.  It  lives  in  small  cysts  in  the  wall  of  the  fourth  stomach 
(fig.  19)  and  is  also  found  free  in  the  cavity  of  the  stomach.     When 


510  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

numerous,  these  parasites  cause  a  thickening  of  the  stomach  wall 
and  disturb  its  digestive  functions.  The  symptoms  caused  by  this 
parasite  are  very  similar  to  those  produced  by  the  twisted  stomach 
worm.  The  life  history  of  the  encysted  stomach  worm  is  not  known 
in  detail,  but  it  is  undoubtedly  very  much  the  same  as  that  of  the 
twisted  stomach  worm.  The  same  measures  as  recommended  above 
for  preventing  infection  with  the  twisted  stomach  worm  should  be 
emploj^ed.  Medicinal  treatment  is  of  little  use,  owing  to  the  pro- 
tected position  in  which  the  parasite  occurs. 

INTESTINAL  PARASITES. 

Tapeworms.  « 

Two  species  of  tapeworms  (fig.  20)  are  known  to  occur  in  the  small 
intestine  of  American  cattle.  They  sometimes  grow  to  a  length  of 
several  yards  and  to  a  breadth  of  three-fourths  of  an  inch.     Small 

portions  of  tapeworms,  consisting  of 
"  '^■■■':0I^?'^^0  '■-''■  A  one  or  more  segments,  are  occasionally 
@t?PjJd..  'I^nfefe^'®^.       seen  in  the  droppings  of  infested  cattle. 


Q  /-  0      '  0jQG>  ^  ^.^^  The  life  history  is  not  known,  but  the 

■<Q   0 -^v     Qi  <^    ^?Ci0  \  infectious  stage  is  undoubtedly  taken 

^^Q—    G  ^$P   e  *n  ^tb.  the  food  or  water,  infection 

^^/9^6f^^©;©^-':^/;'^y;.^.  being  spread  by  the  eggs  of  the  para- 

C*v:;\v-:^':-^-\^::P^:^..  site  contained  in  the  feces  of  infested 


:-.-:..  site  contained  in  the  feces  of  infested 

*r-:^:^s&^'®^y®-.'(&  -^l!  animals.     The  eggs  perhaps  are  s wal- 

JR)     (b®  G^^-';^®:':to-:~£~  lowed  by  some  small  creature  (an  in- 

r.-.-.-.^j**-**''-- ■*+  ■■■■■■■  sect,  worm,  or  snail)  which  acts  as  an 

fig  i9.-Piece  of  lining  of  fourth  stom-  intermediate  host,    and   which  when 

ach,  showing  cysts   of   the   encysted  . 

stomach  worm  (Ostertagia  ostertagi) .      swallowed  accidentally  by  a  cow  while 

grazing  or  drinking  carries  with  it  into 
the  cow's  stomach  the  infectious  stage  of  the  tapeworm. 

Adult  cattle  do  not  seem  to  suffer  much  from  infestation  with 
tapeworms,  but  in  calves  these  parasites  may  cause  scouring  and 
emaciation. 

Treatment  for  tapeworms. — Medical  treatment  for  tapeworms  in 
cattle  is  usually  unsatisfactory,  but  the  bluestone  treatment  used  for 
stomach  worms  and  mentioned  above  (p.  509)  may  be  tried.  Arsenic 
in  doses  of  1£  to  3  grains  has  been  claimed  to  give  good  results  in  the 
treatment  of  calves  for  tapeworms. 

Roundworms. 

A  large  roundworm  {Ascaris  vitulorum)  measuring  6  to  12  inches 
in  length  sometimes  found  in  the  intestine  of  cattle,  especially  calves, 

«  Bulletin  4  of  the  Bureau  of  Animal  Industry  contains  a  technical  discussion  of 
the  tapeworms  of  cattle,  sheep,  and  allied  animals.  Bulletin  19  of  the  same 
bureau  deals  with  these  and  other  internal  parasites  with  particular  reference  to 
meat  inspection. 


THE  ANIMAL  PARASITES  OF  CATTLE. 


511 


may  cause  inflammation  and  occasionally  rupture  of  the  intestine. 
Infection  occurs  through  the  swallowing  of  the  eggs  of  the  parasite 
in  food  or  water  which  has  been  contaminated  with  the  feces  of 
infested  cattle. 

A  number  of  species  of  small  roundworms,  varying  in  size  from  an 
eighth  of  an  inch  to  an  inch  or  more  in  length,  occur  in  the  intestines. 
Of  these  may  be  mentioned  the  hook  worm  (Monodontus  phlebotomus) 
and  the  nodular  worms 
( CEsopliagostomfium  colum- 
bianum  and  O.  radiatum). 
The  former  is  about  an  inch 
long  and  is  found  in  the 
small  intestine.  The  latter 
are  somewhat  smaller  and 
are  found  in  the  cecum  and 
large  intestine.  Hook 
worms,  when  numerous, 
may  cause  anemia  and 
other  symptoms  similar  to 
those  caused  by  stomach 
worms  (see  p.  506).  The 
injury  to  the  mucous  lining 
of  the  intestine  from  the 
bites  of  hook  worms  may 
cause  severe  inflammation, 
and  affords  an  avenue  of 
infection  with  the  germs  of 
various  diseases.  The 
adult  nodular  worms  ap- 
parently do  not  attack  the 
wall  of  the  intestine,  but 
derive  their  nourishment 
from  the  intestinal  con- 
tents. Several  species  of 
small,  very  slender  round- 
worms ( Trichostrongylus) , 
less  than  a  quarter  of  an 
inch  in  length,  sometimes 
occur  in  the  small  intestine 
and  fourth  stomach,  and  a  severe  gastro-enteritis,  or  inflammation  of 
the  stomach  and  intestines,  has  been  attributed  to  them. 

Nodular  disease  of  the  intestine,  due  to  young  hook  worms  and 
nodular  worms  which  burrow  in  the  intestinal  wall,  as  a  rule  seems 
to  have  little  effect  on  the  health  of  infested  animals,  but  often  ren- 
ders the  intestine  unfit  for  use  as  sausage  casings.  As  nodular  dis- 
ease is  widely  prevalent  among  cattle,  the  loss  from  this  source  is 


Fig.  20. 


-A  tapeworm  (Moniezia  planissima)  which  in- 
fests cattle. 


512 


DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 


considerable.  The  greenish  or  yellowish  nodules  with  cheesy  con- 
tents are  frequently  mistaken  bjr  the  inexperienced  for  lesions  of 
tuberculosis. 

The  life  histories  of  the  various  small  roundworms  occurring  in 
the  intestines  of  cattle  have  not  been  worked  out,  but  in  general 
they  are  very  likely  similar  to  that  of  the  twisted  stomach 
worm  as  described  above  (p.  506). 

Treatment  for  intestinal  roundworms. — The  preventive 
measures  are  similar  to  those  recommended  in  the  case  of 
the  twisted  stomach  worm  (p.  507).  Medicinal  treatment 
is  generally  not  very  satisfactory.  Powdered  thymol,  in 
doses  of  200  grains  or  more,  has  been  recommended,  but 
it  often  fails  to  have  the  desired  result.  It  is  claimed  by 
one  author  that  2  to  3  drams  of  rectified  empyreumatic 
oil  in  a  mucilaginous  emulsion,  followed  the  next  morn- 
ing with  a  purgative  of  1  to  \\  pounds  of  sulphate  of  soda, 
will  expel  the  large  roundworms  (Ascaris  vitulorum). 

Protozoa. 

A  number  of  species  of  prutozoa  have  been  reported  as  parasites  of 
the  intestines  of  cattle.  To  one  species  has  been  attributed  a  serious 
disease  of  cattle  in  Switzerland  known  as  red  dysen- 
tery, but  as  yet  no  cases  of  this  disease  in  American 
cattle  have  been  reported. 

FLUKES  IN   LIVER  AND   LUNGS. 

Two  species  of  flukes  occurring  in  the  liver  and 
lungs  are  known  to  affect  cattle  of  the  United  States. 
These  parasites  are  flat  leaf-like- worms;  one  of 
them,  the  common  liver  fluke  (Fasciola  hepatica, 
fig.  21),  is  less  than  an  inch  in  length,  while  the 
other,  the  large  American  fluke  (Fasciola  magna, 
fig.  22),  is  considerably  larger  when  full  grown.  In 
their  life  history  these  flukes  depend  on  snails  as 
intermediate  hosts.  At  a  certain  stage  of  develop- 
ment the  young  flukes  leave  the  snails,  become  en- 
cysted on  stalks  of  grass  (fig.  23),  and  finally  may 
be  swallowed  by  grazing  cattle.  Stiles  states  that 
"flukes  may  produce  a  serious,  often  fatal,  disease, 
more  especially  in  younger  animals."  The  symp- 
toms are  somewhat  similar  to  those  produced  by 
worms  in  the  stomach.  The  first  symptoms  are  generally  overlooked, 
the  disease  not  attracting  attention  until  the  appetite  is  diminished; 
rumination  becomes  irregular,  the  animals  become  hidebound,  and 
the  coat  dull  and  staring.  The  staring  coat  is  due  to  the  contrac- 
tion of  the  muscles  of  the  hair  follicles.  The  visible  mucous 
membranes  become  pale,  eyes  become  dull,  there  is  running  at  the 
eyes,  and  the  animal  gradually  becomes  emaciated.     As   the  dis- 


Fig.  22. -The  large 
American  fluke 
(Fasciola  magna). 


THE    ANIMAL    PARASITES    OF    CATTLE. 


513 


ease  advances  the  milk  supply  is  lessened,  fever  appears,  there  is 
generally  great  thirst,  but  the  appetite  almost  ceases;  edematous 
swellings  appear  on  the  belly,  breast,  etc. ;  diarrhea  at  first  alternates 
with  constipation,  but  finally  becomes  continuous.  The  disease  lasts 
from  two  to  five  months,  when  the  most  extreme  cases  succumb. 

"Most  of  the  German  cattle  are  said  to  be  infested  with  liver  flukes, 
but  even  when  a  large  number  ai'e  present  the  nourishment  of  the 
cattle  is  not  disturbed.  Thickening  of  the  gall  ducts,  so  that  a 
so-called  '  Medusa's  head '  forms  on  the  surface  of  the  liver  toward 
the  stomach,  appears  in  even  well-nourished  animals;  even  in  cases 
of  a  cirrhosis  of  the  liver  it  is  seldom  that  any  effect  upon  the  cattle's 
health  can  be  noticed,  and  so  long  as  a  portion  of  the  liver  tissue 
about  twice  the  size  of 
the  fist  remains  intact, 
the  nourishment  of  the 
animal  may  be  compar- 
atively good.  It  is  rare 
that  one  sees  a  gener- 
alized edema  in  slaugh- 
tered cattle  as  a  result  of 
fluke  invasion,  and  even 
in  the  heaviest  infec- 
tions of  young  cattle 
only  emaciation  is  no- 
ticed. 

"  Treatment. — Medic- 
inal treatment  is  unsat- 
isfactory. The  disease 
may  be  prevented  to  a 

considerable  extent  by  giving  animals  plenty  of  salt,  and  by  intro- 
ducing carp,  frogs,  and  toads  into  infected  districts;  these  animals 
destroy  the  young  stages  of  the  parasite  and  feed  upon  the  snails 
which  serve  as  intermediate  hosts." 

TAPEWORM   CYSTS   OF  LIVER  AND   OTHER  VISCERA. 

Three  kinds  of  tapeworm  cysts  are  found  in  the  viscera  of  cattle. 
One  of  these  {Multiceps  socialis,  or  Camurus  cerebralis)  will  be  fur- 
ther referred  to  in  the  discussion  of  gid  (p.  515).  All  of  these  are 
the  intermediate  stages  of  tapeworms  which  live  when  mature  in  the 
intestines  of  dogs,  wolves,  and  other  canines.  The  eggs  of  the  tape- 
worms are  scattered  over  the  fields  in  the  droppings  of  infested  dogs 
or  wolves,  and  these  when  swallowed  in  food  or  water  by  cattle  hatch 
out  and  the  embryos  migrate  to  the  liver,  mesentery,  lungs,  brain,  or 
other  organ,  where  they  develop  into  cysts,  variously  known  as  hyda- 
tids, bladder  worms,  water  balls,  etc.  "When  organs  of  cattle  thus 
infested  are  eaten  by  dogs  or  wolves  the  cystic  worms  are  also  likely 
to  be  swallowed  and  then  develop  into  mature  tapeworms.  To  pre- 
61386—08 33 


Fig.  23.— Portion  of  grass  stalk  bearing  three  encysted  cer- 
cariae  of  the  common  liver  fluke  (Fasciola  hepatica). 


514 


DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 


vent  cattle  from  infection  with  these  parasites  stray  dogs,  wolves,  and 
coyotes  should  be  killed  wherever  found,  and  dogs  too  valuable  to  kill 
should  be  kept  free  from  tapeworms.  As  a  precaution  against  infec- 
tion with  tapeworms,  the  viscera  of  cattle,  sheep,  or  hogs  should  not 
be  fed  to  dogs  unless  cooked. 


Fig.  24.— Hydatids  (Echinococcus  granulosus)  in  portion  of  hog's  liver. 

Hydatids  (Echinococcus  granulosus)  form  tumors  (fig.  24)  of  vary- 
ing size  (sometimes  as  large  as  6  inches  in  diameter)  in  the  liver, 
lungs,  and  other  organs.  Their  contents  are  liquid, 
resembling  water.  The  presence  of  these  parasites 
can  not  be  detected  in  the  living  animal  and  there  is 
no  medicinal  treatment  for  them.  Organs  contain- 
ing hydatids  should  be  destroyed  by  burning  in 
order  to  prevent  their  being  eaten  by  dogs.  This  is 
especially  important,  as  dogs  infested  with  the  tape- 
worm stage  of  this  parasite  are  a  menace  to  human 
beings  on  account  of  the  danger  of  infecting  them 
with  hydatids,  which  develop  in  man  if  the  eggs  of 
the  hydatid  tapeworm  are  swallowed. 

TJiin-necked   bladder  ivorms  (Taenia  hydatigena, 
fig.  25)  are  most  commonly  found  attached  to  the 
mesentery  and  omentum.     There  is  no  medicinal  treatment. 


Fig.  25.— Thin-necked 
bladder  worm  (Tae- 
nia hydatigena) 
from  abdominal 
cavity  of  a  steer. 


TAPEWORM   CYSTS   IN   THE  MUSCLES,  BEEF  MEASLES. 

Small  tapeworm  cysts  (Taenia  saginata),  about  the  size  of  a  pea, 
found  in  the  muscles  of  cattle  (fig.  26)  are  the  larvae  of  the  common 
tapeworm  of  man.  Cattle  become  infected  from  feed  or  water  which 
has  been  contaminated  by  the  feces  of  persons  harboring  the  adult 
tapeworms,  and  human  beings  in  turn  become  infected  by  eating  raw 
or  rare  beef  infested  with  the  larval  stage  (measly  beef). 


Diseases  of  Cattle 


Plate  lii 


5,  V; 


ft 


Haines  del  after  Marx, 


Verminous  Bronchitis. 


JULIUS  BIEN  &  CO  NY 


THE   ANIMAL   PARASITES    OF   CATTLE. 


515 


To  prevent  cattle  from  becoming  infested  with  this  parasite  care 
should  be  taken  that  human  feces  are  not  placed  where  they  will 
contaminate  the  feed  or  drinking  water. 


GID. 

Bladder  worms  (Multiceps  socialis,  or  Ccenurus  cerebralis)  which 
are  occasionally  found  in  the  brain  of  cattle,  and  cause  gid,  "turn- 
sick,"  or  "staggers,"  deserve  mention,  as  they  are  rather  common 
among  sheep  in  the  Northwest.  As  already  alluded  to,  these  worms 
are  the  intermediate  stage  of  a  tapeworm  found  in  dogs,  and  their 
life  history  and  the  means  of  preventing  infection  have  been  briefly 
discussed  above  (see  p.  513). 

Cattle  harboring  this  parasite 
show  symptoms  indicating  an 
affection  of  the  brain,  walking  or 
turning  in  circles,  dizziness,  un- 
even gait,  impaired  vision,  etc. 

Treatment  consists  in  trephin- 
ing the  skull  and  removing  the 
parasite,  an  operation  which  re- 
quires a  skillful  operator  and  is 
frequently  unsuccessful.  Unless 
the  parasite  is  removed  affected 
cattle  almost  invariably  die. 

THREAD   WORMS   IN  THE   ABDOM- 
INAL  CAVITY. 

Thread  worms  (Filaria  labiato- 

v  Fig.  26. — Section   of   a  pork  tongue   heavily  m- 

'papillosa)  2  to  4  inches  long  are  fested  with  pork  measles.  Beef  tongues  in- 
frequently found  in  the  abdominal       fested  with  beef  measles  present  a  similar 

.  JL  .  appearance. 

cavity.     They  seem  to  cause  little 

or  no  trouble.  The  embryos  produced  by  these  worms  enter  the  blood 
vessels.  Stable  flies  (see  p.  496)  while  sucking  blood  take  up  these 
embryos,  which  undergo  a  certain  amount  of  development  in  the  body 
of  the  flies.  These  flies,  again  biting  cattle,  introduce  the  partially 
developed  worms  with  which  they  are  infested  into  the  circulation, 
whence  the  worms  migrate  to  the  abdominal  cavity  and  there  develop 
to  maturity.  The  roundworms  found  occasionally  in  the  anterior 
chamber  of  the  eye  (see  p.  516)  are  perhaps  immature  forms  of  this 
species  which  have  reached  this  location  during  their  migration. 

LUNG  WORMS. 

Lung  worms  (Dictyocaulus  viviparus,  fig.  27)  in  cattle  are  thread- 
like worms  2  to  4  inches  long,  found  in  the  bronchial  tubes,  and  pro- 
ducing a  condition  known  as  verminous  bronchitis.  (See  PI.  LII, 
which  represents  a  portion  of  lung  with  the  bronchial  tubes  filled 
with  lung  worms,  drawn  about  twice  natural  size. )     The  life  history 


516  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

of  the  parasite  is  not  known,  but  infection  is  apparently  derived 
through  the  medium  of  pastures  where  infested  cattle  have  grazed. 
In  the  later  stages  of  the  disease  the  cattle  cough,  especially  at  night. 
Young  cattle  are  more  seriously  affected  than  old  animals. 

Treatment  for  lung  ivorms. — Various  treatments  have  been  advo- 
cated for  lung  worms,  including  fumigating  with  different  substances 
and  injections  of  remedies  into  the  trachea  by  means  of  a  large  hypo- 
dermic syringe,  but  none  has  been  very  successful  from  a  practical 
standpoint.  About  all  that  can  be  done  is  to  feed  affected  animals 
well  and  protect  them  from  exposure. 

PARASITES  OF  THE  BLOOD. 

A  species  of  fluke  (Schistosoma  bovis)  which  lives  in  the  blood  ves- 
sels (the  large  veins)  of  cattle  in  tropical  and  subtropical  countries 
causes  bloody  urine,  and  a  condition  of  the  rectum  somewhat  resem- 
bling piles. 

The  embryos  of  Filaria  labiato-papittosa  (p.  515)  which  occur  in  the 
blood  may  be  found  by  microscopical  examination.  They  apparently 
cause  no  trouble. 

The  organism  which   causes  Texas  fever  is  a  protozoan  parasite 

(Piroplasma  bigeminum)  of  micro- 
scopic size,  which  lives  in  the  blood 
and  attacks  the  red  blood  corpus- 
cles. For  a  discussion  of  this  para- 
site and  the  disease  which  it  pro- 
duces see  page  461  of  this  volume, 
fig.  g7.-Lung  worms  (Datyocauius  vivipa-     or  for  more  complete  information 

rus)  of  cattle.  ,  __     ,,    , .      __.       _  „ n 

consult  Farmers'  Bulletin  No.  25b, 
which  can  be  obtained  free  on  application  to  the  Secretary  of  Agri- 
culture, Washington,  D.  C. 

Other  parasites  which  live  in  the  blood  cause  serious  diseases  known 
as  surra  and  nagana  (p.  493),  but  as  yet  neither  of  these  diseases  has 
gained  a  foothold  in  the  United  States. 

PARASITES    OF   THE    EYE. 

Roundworms  sometimes  seen  swimming  about  in  the  anterior 
chamber  of  the  eye  ("snakes  in  the  eye")  are  supposed  to  be  imma- 
ture stages  of  Filaria  labiato-papillosa  (see  p.  515).  Their  location 
in  the  eye  is  possibly  due  to  their  going  astray  from  the  normal  course 
of  their  migration.  Treatment  for  these  worms  is  surgical.  They 
often  disappear  without  treatment. 

A  species  of  slender  roundworm,  one-half  an  inch  to  an  inch  in 
length,  has  been  described,  under  the  name  of  Filaria  lachrymalis,  as 
a  parasite  of  cattle  found  in  summer  and  fall  beneath  the  eyelids  and 
on  the  surface  of  the  eyeball,  causing  an  inflammation  of  the  eyes. 
The  worms  may  be  removed  by  washing  out  the  eyes  with  an  anti- 
septic, such  as  a  weak  solution  of  coal-tar  stock  dip,  after  which 
iodoform  ointment  may  be  applied  if  the  condition  is  severe. 


MYCOTIC  STOMATITIS  OF  CATTLE. 

By  John  R.  Mohler,  A.  M.,  V.  M.  D., 
Chief  of  Pathological  Division,  Bureau  of  Animal  Industry 

INTRODUCTION. 

Regularly,  during  the  summer  and  fall  of  the  past  five  years, 
numerous  letters  have  been  received  by  this  Bureau  relative  to  the 
existence  of  a  disease  affecting  the  mouths  and  feet  of  cattle  in  cer- 
tain Eastern  and  Central  Western  States.  These  reports  have  been 
unusually  frequent  this  season  and  indicate  that  the  malady  has  made 
its  appearance  in  the  Southwest,  where  it  has  caused  much  alarm 
among  the  stockmen  owing  to  its  similarity  to  the  foot-and-mouth 
disease  of  Europe  and  to  the  fear  that  the  contagion  of  this  latter 
disease  had  spread  to  them  from  the  recent  outbreak  in  New  England. 
The  disease,  which  is  to  be  discussed  under  the  name  of  mycotic 
stomatitis,  has  been  carefully  investigated  by  this  Department  on 
various  occasions,  and  it  is  with  the  view  of  giving  the  results  of  these 
clinical  investigations  as  well  as  to  assert  its  noninfectiousness  and 
to  differentiate  it  from  the  virulent  foot-and-mouth  disease,  which  it 
so  closely  simulates,  that  this  article  is  prepared. 

NAME   AND   SYNONYMS. 

The  name  stomatitis  signifies  that  there  is  present  in  the  affected 
animals  an  inflammation  of  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  mouth. 
This  inflammation,  which  quickly  develops  into  ulcers,  is  one  of  the 
principal  and  most  frequently  observed  lesions.  Mycotic  stomatitis 
refers  to  that  form  of  stomatitis  which  results  from  eating  food  con- 
taining irritant  fungi.  Thus  the  name  not  only  suggests  the  cause  of 
the  disease,  but  also  indicates  the  location  of  the  earliest  and  most 
prominent  symptoms.  Other  names  which  have  been  applied  to  this 
disease  by  different  writers  are  sporadic  aphthae;  aphthous  stomatitis; 
sore  mouth  of  cattle;  sore  tongue;  benign,  simple,  or  noninfectious 
foot-and-mouth  disease;  mycotic  aphthous  stomatitis;  and  sporadic 

stomatitis  aphthosa. 

517 


518  DISEASES    OF   CATTLE. 

CHARACTER   OF  THE   DISEASE. 

Mycotic  stomatitis  is  a  sporadic,  or  noninfectious,  disease  which 
affects  cattle  of  all  ages  that  are  on  pasture,  but  more  especially  milch 
cows.  It  is  characterized  by  inflammation  and  ulceration  of  the 
mucous  membrane  of  the  mouth,  producing  salivation  and  inappe- 
tence,  and  secondarily  affecting  the  feet,  which  become  sore  and 
swollen.  Superficial  erosions  of  the  skin,  particularly  of  the  muzzle 
and  of  the  teats  and  udders  of  cows,  may  also  be  present,  with  some 
elevation  of  temperature  and  emaciation. 

CAUSE. 

This  disease,  as  its  name  indicates,  results  from  the  eating  of  forage 
containing  fungi  or  molds.  It  is  probable  that  more  than  one  fungus 
is  involved  in  the  production  of  this  disease,  but  no  particular  species 
has  been  definitely  proved  tc  be  the  causative  factor.  Several 
attempts  have  been  made  by  the  writer  to  determine  the  exact  cause 
and  also  to  transmit  the  disease  to  other  animals  by  direct  inocula- 
tion, but  with  negative  results.  Suspicion,  however,  has  been  directed 
by  various  observers  to  the  Uromyces  and  the  red  and  black  rusts  that 
occur  on  clovers.  These  fungi  cause  very  severe  irritation  of  the 
lining  membrane  of  the  mouth,  producing  sometimes  a  catarrhal,  at 
other  times  an  aphthous,  and  occasionally  an  ulcerous  stomatitis. 
The  fungus  of  rape,  etc.  (Polydesmus  excitiosus),  is  very  irritating  to 
the  mouths  and  feet  of  cattle,  causing  severe  inflammation  and  in  some 
instances  producing  symptoms  that  have  been  mistaken  for  foot-and- 
mouth  disease.  The  fungi  (Penicillium  and  Puccinia)  found  on 
grasses  have  also  been  credited  with  the  production  of  stomatitis. 
The  fact  that  this  disease  disappears  from  a  locality  at  a  certain  time 
and  reappears  at  irregular  intervals  would  suggest  the  probability 
that  certain  climatic  conditions  were  essential  for  the  propagation  of 
the  causative  fungi,  since  it  is  well  known  that  the  malady  becomes 
prevalent  after  a  hot,  dry  period  has  been  followed  by  rain,  thus 
furnishing  the  requirements  necessary  for  the  luxuriant  development 
of  molds  and  fungi.  Owing  to  this  fact  the  disease  is  observed  in  one 
locality  during  one  season  and  in  an  entirely  different  section  another 
year,  but  reappears  in  the  former  center  when  favorable  conditions 
prevail.  In  this  way  the  affection  has  occurred  at  irregular  intervals 
in  certain  sections  of  both  the  United  States  and  Canada. 

SYMPTOMS   AND   LESIONS. 

Among  the  first  symptoms  observed  in  mycotic  stomatitis  are  ina- 
bility to  eat,  suspension  of  rumination,  frequent  movements  of  the  lips 
with  the  formation  of  froth  on  their  margins,  and  in  some  cases  a 
dribbling  of  saliva  from  the  mouth.  There  is  a  desire  to  eat,  and  fre- 
quent attempts  to  take  food  are  made,  but  prehension  is  very  difficult. 


MYCOTIC    STOMATITIS    OF    CATTLE.  519 

If,  however,  food  is  placed  on  the  back  of  the  tongue  it  is  readily- 
masticated  and  swallowed.  If  the  mouth  is  examined  at  this  time  it 
will  be  found  red  and  hot,  and  exceptionally  small  blisters  will  be 
seen,  which,  however,  quickly  become  eroded  and  develop  into  active 
ulcers  varying  in  size  from  one-eighth  to  1  inch  in  diameter.  Where 
several  ulcers  have  coalesced  a  large  and  irregularly  indented  patch 
is  formed.  These  erosions  are  most  frequently  found  on  the  gums 
around  the  incisor  teeth,  on  the  dental  pad,  inside  the  lips,  and  on 
the  tip  of  the  tongue,  but  they  also  occur  on  the  cheeks,  interdental 
space,  and  dorsum  of  the  tongue.  The  ulcers  have  a  hemorrhagic 
border,  a  depressed  suppurating  surface,  and  contain  a  brownish  or 
yellowish  colored  debris,  which  is  soon  replaced  by  granulation  tissue. 
As  a  result  of  this  sloughing  of  the  tissues  and  the  retention  of  food 
in  the  mouth,  a  very  offensive  odor  is  exhaled.  The  muzzle  becomes 
dry  and  parched  in  appearance,  which  condition  is  shortly  followed 
by  erosions  and  exfoliations  of  the  superficial  layer  of  the  skin. 
Adherent  brownish  crusts  and  scabs  form  over  the  parts,  and  similar 
lesions  are  seen  around  the  nostrils  and  external  surface  of  the  lips. 

In  some  cases  there  are  associated  with  these  alterations  a  slight 
swelling  and  painfulness  in  the  region  of  the  pasterns,  at  times  affect- 
ing the  fore  feet,  at  other  times  the  hind  feet,  and  occasionally  all 
four  feet.  In  a  few  cases  the  swelling  may  extend  above  the  fetlock, 
but  it  has  never  been  observed  above  the  knee  or  hock.  The  skin 
around  the  coronet  may  occasionally  become  fissured  and  the  thin 
skin  in  the  cleft  of  the  foot  eroded  and  suppurated,  but  without  the 
formation  of  vesicles.  As  a  result  of  these  feet  lesions,  the  affected 
animal  may  assume  a  position  with  its  back  arched  and  the  limbs 
propped  under  the  body  as  in  a  case  of  founder  and  will  manifest 
much  pain  and  lameness  in  walking.  If  it  lies  down  the  animal 
shows  reluctance  in  getting  up  and,  although  manifesting  no  incli- 
nation to  move  about,  when  forced  to  do  so  there  is  more  or  less  stiff- 
ness and  a  tendency  to  kick  or  shake  the  foot  as  if  to  dislodge  a  foreign 
body  from  between  the  claws. 

In  some  outbreaks  the  milch  cows  have  slight  superficial  erosions  on 
the  teats  which  at  times  extend  to  the  udder.  The  cracks  in  the  skin 
are  filled  with  serum  and  form  brownish  colored  scabs.  The  teats 
become  tender  and  the  milk  secretion  diminishes;  in  some  cases  it  dis- 
appears. A  similar  tendency  toward  the  formation  of  fissures  and 
scabs  on  the  skin  of  the  neck  and  shoulder  has  manifested  itself  in  a 
recent  outbreak  in  Texas,  and  this  feature  was  likewise  noticeable  in 
the  disease  when  it  occurred  in  Maryland  and  Virginia  in  1889. 

In  mild  cases,  only  the  mouth  lesions  may  be  observed,  or  these 
alterations  may  be  associated  with  one  or  more  of  the  other  above- 
described  symptoms,  but  in  severe  cases  where  there  is  a  generalized 
mycotic   intoxication  one   animal   may   show   all   these  alterations. 


520  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

When  the  disease  is  well  developed  the  general  appearance  of  the 
animal  is  one  of  great  lassitude,  and  it  either  stands  off  by  itself  with 
hind  feet  drawn  under  the  body  and  its  fore  feet  extended  or  it 
assumes  a  recumbent  position.  Owing  to  the  inability  to  eat  and  to 
the  general  systemic  disturbance  present,  the  animal  loses  flesh  very 
rapidly  and  becomes  greatly  emaciated  in  the  latter  stages  of  the  dis- 
ease. The  temperature  and  pulse  are  somewhat  increased,  the  former 
two  or  three  degrees,  the  latter  to  from  75  to  00  beats  per  minute. 
The  fever  is  not  lasting,  and  these  symptoms  are  soon  modified.  The 
animal  has  an  anxious  look,  and  in  a  few  cases  there  is  gastrointes- 
tinal irritation,  the  feces  being  thin,  of  a  dark  color,  and  of  an  offen- 
sive odor. 

PROGNOSIS   AND   MORTALITY. 

Mycotic  stomatitis  is  not  a  serious  disease,  and  in  uncomplicated 
cases  recoveries  soon  follow  the  removal  of  the  cause  and  the  applica- 
tion of  the  indicated  remedies.  In  such  cases  complete  restoration 
nmy  take  place  within  one  week.  In  mild  outbreaks  a  large  percent- 
age of  the  animals  will  recover  without  treatment,  but  that  the  disease 
is  fatal  is  shown  by  the  fact  that  animals  which  develop  an  aggravated 
form  of  the  affection  succumb  if  not  treated.  In  such  animals  death 
occurs  in  six  or  eight  days,  but  the  mortality  in  the  serious  outbreaks 
thus  far  investigated  has  been  less  than  0.5  per  cent.  The  course  of 
this  disease  is  irregular  and  runs  from  seven  to  fifteen  days,  the  aver- 
age case  covering  a  period  of  about  ten  days. 

DIFFERENTIAL   DIAGNOSIS. 

FOOT-AND-MOUTH   DISEASE. 

In  examining  a  case  of  mycotic  stomatitis  it  is  important  not  to  mis- 
take it  for  foot-and-mouth  disease,  which  has  appeared  in  this  coun- 
try on  four  occasions  only,  always  near  a  seaport,  and  which  does  not 
exist  in  the  United  States  at  the  present  time.  This  may  be  easily 
accomplished  by  taking  into  consideration  the  fact  that  in  the  con- 
tagious foot-and-mouth  disease  there  is  a  rapid  infection  of  the  entire 
herd,  as  well  as  of  any  hogs  and  sheep  that  may  be  on  the  premises. 
It  is  also  readily  transmitted  to  neighboring  herds  by  the  spread  of 
the  infection  from  diseased  animals,  but  it  never  occurs  spontaneously. 
The  characteristic  lesion  of  foot-and-mouth  disease  is  the  appearance 
of  vesicles  containing  serous  fluid  in  the  mouth  and  upon  the  udder, 
teats,  heels,  and  coronary  bands  of  the  affected  animals.  Drooling  is 
profuse,  and  there  is  a  peculiar  smacking  sound  made  by  sucking  the 
affected  lips. 

Mycotic  stomatitis  occurs  sporadically  on  widely  separated  farms, 
affecting  only  a  few  animals  in  each  herd,  and  the  lesions  produced 
consist  of  erosions  without  the  typical  vesicular  formations  of  foot- 
and-mouth  disease.     The  failure  of  the  vesicles,  if  any  appear,  to 


MYCOTIC    STOMATITIS    OF    CATTLE.  521 

spread  extensively  in  the  mouth,  the  absence  of  these  blisters  on 
other  portions  of  the  body — notably  the  teats  and  udder,  and  charac- 
teristically the  feet — together  with  the  absence  of  infection  in  the 
herd,  and  the  inability  to  transmit  the  disease  to  calves  by  inocula- 
tion distinguish  between  this  affection  and  foot-and-mouth  disease. 
Scab  formation  on  the  muzzle  and  nostrils  is  not  present  in  foot-and- 
mouth  disease.  The  erosions  of  the  mouth  are  not  so  extensive  and 
they  heal  more  rapidly  in  mycotic  stomatitis.  The  swelling  of  the  feet 
and  stiffness  of  the  animal  are  also  more  marked  in  mycotic  stomatitis. 

ERGOTISM. 

The  lesions  resulting  from  ergotism  may  be  differentiated  from  those 
of  mycotic  stomatitis  by  the  lack  of  ulcerative  eruptions  in  the  mouth 
and  by  the  location  of  the  lesions  at  the  tips  of  the  ears,  end  of  the 
tail,  or  upon  the  lower  part  of  the  legs,  usually  below  the  knees  or 
hocks.  The  lesions  of  ergotism  do  not  take  the  forms  of  ulcers  or 
festers,  but  the  end  of  the  limb  affected  is  diseased  "in  toto"  and  the 
eruption  extends  entirely  around  the  limbs,  followed  soon  afterwards 
by  a  distinct  line  of  demarcation  between  the  healthy  skin  above  and 
the  diseased  below.  The  absence  of  suppurating  sores  between  the 
claws  and  on  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  mouth,  the  knowledge  that 
the  lesion  upon  the  limb  in  question  extends  uninterrupted^  around 
it,  and  the  presence  of  ergotized  seeds  in  the  hay  or  grain  fed  the 
animals  should  point  conclusively  to  a  diagnosis  of  ergotism. 

FOUL  FOOT. 

In  foul  foot,  or  ground  itch,  of  cattle,  the  inflammation  of  the  skin 
and  toes  usually  affects  but  one  foot.  It  begins  as  a  superficial 
inflammation,  followed  by  sloughing,  ulceration,  and  the  formation  of 
fistulous  tracts  which  may  involve  the  tendons,  bones,  and  joints. 
The  mouth  remains  unaffected,  and  the  presence  of  the  disease  may 
be  traced  to  filth  and  poor  drainage. 

NECROTIC   STOMATITIS. 

In  necrotic  stomatitis  (calf  diphtheria)  there  is  a  formation  of  yel- 
lowish cheesy  patches  in  the  mouth  without  any  lesions  of  the  feet  or 
udder.  It  affects  sucking  calves  chiefly,  and  is  caused  by  the  Bacillus 
necrophorus. 

TREATMENT. 

The  treatment  of  mycotic  stomatitis  should  consist  in  first  removing 
the  herd  of  cattle  from  the  pasture  in  which  they  have  been  running. 
The  affected  animals  should,  if  it  is  possible,  be  brought  to  the  barn 
or  corral  and  fed  on  soft,  nutritious  food,  such  as  bran  mashes,  ground 
feed,  and  gruels.  A  bucket  of  clear,  cool  water  should  be  kept  con- 
stantly in  the  manger,  so  that  the  animal  may  drink  or  rinse  the 


522  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

mouth  at  its  pleasure,  and  it  will  be  found  beneficial  to  dissolve  2 
heaping  tabiespoonfuls  of  borax  or  1  tablespoonful  of  potassium 
chlorate  in  each  of  the  first  two  buckets  of  water  taken  during  the 
day.  If  the  animals  are  gentle  enough  to  be  handled,  the  mouth 
should  be  swabbed  out  daily  with  antiseptic  washes,  such  as  a  2  per 
cent  solution  of  carbolic  acid  or  of  creolin,  or  a  1  per  cent  solution  of 
lysol  or  of  permanganate  of  potash,  or  1  part  of  hydrogen  peroxide  to 
2  parts  of  water.  This  should  be  followed  by  astringents,  such  as 
one-half  tablespoonful  of  alum,  borax,  or  chlorate  of  potash  placed  on 
the  tongue.  Probably  a  more  satisfactory  method  of  administering 
the  antiseptic  treatment  to  a  large  number  of  animals  would  be  to 
mix  thoroughly  2  teaspoonfuls  of  pure  carbolic  acid  every  morning 
in  a  quart  of  bran  mash  and  give  to  each  affected  animal  for  a  period 
of  five  days.  Range  cattle  may  be  more  readily  treated  by  the  use  of 
medicated  salt  placed  in  troughs  accessible  to  the  animals.  This  salt 
may  be  prepared  by  pouring  4  ounces  of  crude  carbolic  acid  upon  12 
quarts  of  ordinary  barrel  salt,  after  which  they  are  thoroughly  mixed. 
The  lesions  of  the  feet  should  be  treated  with  a  2  per  cent  solution  of 
carbolic  acid  or  of  creolin,  while  the  fissures  and  other  lesions  of  the 
skin  will  be  benefited  by  the  application  of  carbolized  vaseline  or  zinc 
ointment.  If  the  animals  are  treated  in  this  manner  and  carefully 
fed  the  disease  will  rapidly  disappear. 


INDEX 


Abdomen —  Page. 

and  womb,  inflammation,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 220 

dropsy  affecting,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 48 

of  calf,  dropsy,  description  and  treatment 177 

wounds,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 45 

Abdominal  cavity,  kinds  of  parasites  affecting 515 

Abortion — 

contagious,  description  and  causes 165 

contagious,  prevention  and  treatment 169 

noncontagious,  causes 161 

noncontagious,  treatment 168 

Abscess — 

bacteria  causing 235 

of  ear,  treatment 354 

of  lung,  description 97 

of  navel,  cause  and  treatment 246 

orbital  and  periorbital,  symptoms  and  treatment 351 

Abscesses,  treatment 294 

Absorbents,  description 72 

Acariasis,  reference 331 

Achorion  schonleinii,  fungus  causing  Tinea  favosa 332 

Acids — 

mineral,  poisoning,  description  and  treatment 59 

poisoning,  description  and  treatment 59 

vegetable,  poisonous,  description  and  treatment 60 

Aconite  poisoning,  description  and  treatment 64 

Actinomycosis — 

description  and  symptoms 430-434 

in  relation  to  public  health 437 

of  jawbones,  description  and  treatment 433 

of  lungs 433 

prevention  and  treatment 434-437 

Adenoma,  description 311 

Administration  of  medicines,  chapter  by  Leonard  Pearson 9-13 

Afterbirth,  retained,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 216 

Air — 

or  gas  under  the  skin,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 333 

tubes  of  lungs,  parasites  affecting,  description  and  treatment 515 

Albumen  in  urine,  description  and  treatment 119 

Albuminuria,  description  and  treatment 119 

Alkalies,  poisoning,  description  and  treatment 60 

Amaurosis,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 348 

Anaphrodisia,  cause,  prevention,  and  treatment 146 

Anasarca  of  the  skin,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 329 

Anesthesia,  uses  in  operations 285 

523 


524  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

Page. 

Aneurism,  description 82 

Angioma  tumor,  description 310 

Animal-^- 

parasites  of  cattle,  chapter  by  B.  H.  Ransom 495-516 

products,  poisonous,  description  and  treatment 67 

Anthrax — 

cause,  symptoms,  treatment,  etc 440-446 

in  man,  description 446 

symptomatic,  description,  cause,  treatment,  etc 447^51 

Aphtha — 

in  young  calves,  description  and  treatment 259 

parasite  (Saccharomyces  ablicans),  cause 260 

Aphthous — 

fever.     (See  Foot-and-mouth  disease.) 

stomatitis,  reference. 517 

Apoplexy — 

cerebral,  description  and  treatment 104 

description  and  treatment 104 

parturient,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 222 

Appetite,  depraved,  description,  causes,  and  treatment 30 

Aqueous  humor  of  eye,  description 341 

Arsenic  poisoning,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 56 

Arteries — 

and  veins,  wounds,  description  and  treatment 80 

obstruction,  description  and  treatment 82 

Ascaris  vitulorum,  intestinal  roundworm,  description  and  treatment 510 

Ascites — 

causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 48 

description  and  treatment 177 

Asepsis  in  surgical  operations 285 

Aseptic  periostitis,  description  and  treatment 263 

Asphyxia  electrica,  symptoms  and  treatment 108 

Atkinson,  V.  T  — 

chapter  on  "Bones:  Diseases  and  accidents" 261-284 

chapter  on  "Poisons  and  poisoning " 53-69 

Atrophy,  description 79, 125 

Auscultation,  definition 89 

Bacillus — 

cyanogens,  parasite  causing  blue  milk 239 

tuberculosis,  causing  tuberculosis 398 

Back,  sprain,  causes  and  treatment 267 

Bacteria — 

causing  abscess 235 

definition 358 

Bacterium  bovis  septicum,  causing  hemorrhagic  septicemia 389 

Ball- 
hair,  in  stomach,  description 31 

of  eye,  description 340 

Balls  as  method  of  administering  medicines 10 

Bee  and  wasp  stings,  description  and  treatment 68 

Beef  and  pork  measles,  note 514,  515 

Benign  tumors,  description 307 

Big  jaw.     (Sec  Actinomycosis.) 


INDEX.  525 

Page. 

Bites  of  snakes 16,  333 

Blackleg — 

description,  cause,  and  treatment 447-451 

vaccine,  note  on  distribution  by  Bureau 447 

Black  quarter.     (See  Blackleg.) 

Bladder — 

eversion,  description  and  treatment 214 

or  rectum,  full,  as  obstruction  to  parturition 176 

palsy  of  neck,  cause  and  treatment 127 

paralysis,  causes  and  treatment 126 

rupture,  symptoms 214 

spasms,  description  and  treatment 125 

stone,  symptoms  and  treatment 139 

worms  affecting  brain,  description  and  treatment 515 

worms,  thin-necked,  description  and  treatment 514 

Bleeding — 

description 290 

description  and  treatment 80 

from  lungs,  description  and  treatment 96 

from  navel,  cause  and  treatment 245 

from  nose,  cause  and  treatment 90 

from  womb,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 210 

Blisters,  water,  symptoms  and  treatment 328 

Bloating,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 24 

Blood- 
clots  on  walls  of  vagina,  description  and  treatment 216 

coagulated,  under  vaginal  walls  after  calving,  treatment 176 

description  and  influence  of  food 72 

flukes  (Schistosoma  bovis),  note 516 

letting,  description 290 

parasites  affecting,  different  kinds 516 

protozoa  affecting 512,  516 

vessels,  functions : 71 

vessels,  heart,  and  lymphatics,  diseases,  chapter  by  W.  H.  Harbaugh. .  70-80 

Bloodsuckers  affecting  cattle,  description  and  treatment 505 

Bloody — 

milk,  cause  and  treatment 239 

urine  caused  by  blood  flukes 516 

urine,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 117 

Blue  disease,  cause 250 

Blue  lice  (Hsematopinus  eurysternus  and  H.  vitali),  description 500 

Blue  milk,  cause  and  treatment 239 

Boils,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 328 

Bones — 

broken,  description  of  kinds  and  treatment 268-279 

diseases  and  accidents,  chapter  by  V.  T.  Atkinson 261-284 

dislocations,  description  and  treatment 279 

face,  fracture,  description  and  treatment 274 

luxations,  description  and  treatment 279 

manner  of  nourishment „ 261 

number  and  description 261 

shape,  classes 262 

Bony  tumor,  description  and  treatment 315 


526  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

Page. 
Boophilus  annulatus,  Texas  fever  tick.     (See  Margaropus  annulatus.) 

Bots  affecting  cattle,  description  and  treatment 499 

Bovine  tuberculosis  and  public  health 420 

Bowel  hernia,  description  and  treatment 40 

Bowels — 

diseases  affecting,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 36-45 

obstruction  resulting  from  invagination,  symptoms  and  treatment 37 

twisting  and  knotting,  symptoms,  post-mortem  appearance,  and  treatment..  37 
Brain — 

and  its  membranes,  inflammation,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 101 

bladder  worms  affecting,  treatment 515 

Ccenurus  cerebralis  affecting,  treatment 515 

concussion,  cause,  symptoms,  and  treatment 104 

congestion,  description  and  treatment 104 

description 100 

tumors,  description 110 

Breach — 

at  navel,  symptoms  and  treatment 248 

of  uterus,  cause  and  treatment 158 

Breathing,  suspended  in  young  calves,  discussion 244 

Bronchial  tubes,  parasites  affecting 515 

Bronchitis — 

description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 92 

verminous,  description,  symptoms,  treatment,  and  prevention 97 

verminous,  parasite  (Strongylus  micrurus),  cause 97 

Buffalo  gnats,  description  and  remedy 497 

Bull,  ringing,  description 287 

Burns  and  scalds,  causes  and  treatment 333 

Calculi — 

coralline,  pearly,  green  (metalloid),  white,  ammonio-magnesium,  silice- 
ous, oxalate  of  lime,  gravel,  descriptions 135 

forms  in  different  situations 135 

in  prepuce,  or  sheath,  treatment 141 

renal,  description  and  treatment 136 

urethral,  description  and  treatment 136 

urinary,  classification 134 

urinary,  description  and  causes 128 

urinary,  effect  of  different  feeds 130 

Calculus — 

blocking  teats,  treatment 241 

prevention 138 

vesical,  or  urethral,  symptoms  and  treatment 139 

Calf- 
attention  necessary  at  birth 244 

diphtheria,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 451-456 

dropsy  of  abdomen,  description  and  treatment 177 

gas,  cause  of  swelling,  treatment 178 

general  dropsy,  cause  and  treatment 178 

monstrosities,  descriptions,  causes,  and  treatment 179-205 

muscles,  rigid  contraction,  cause  and  treatment 178 

slinking,  description 161 

tumors  affecting,  description  and  treatment 179 


INDEX.  527 

Calves —  Page. 

congenital  imperfections,  kinds 259 

indigestion  affecting,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 34 

newborn,  acute  scouring,  description,  prevention,  and  treatment 257 

pyemic  and  septicemic  inflammation,  symptoms  and  treatment 248 

young,  aphtha,  or  thrush,  affecting,  description  and  treatment 259 

young,  constipation  affecting,  cause  and  treatment 250 

young,  diseases  affecting,  chapter  by  James  Law 244-260 

young,  rickets  affecting,  description  and  treatment 260 

young,  ulcers  in  mouth,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 20 

Calving— 

dropping  and  palsy  following,  description  and  treatment 231 

retarded  by  nervousness 176 

symptoms 170 

Cancer,  description  and  treatment , 316 

Capsule  of  eye,  description 342 

Capsules  as  method  of  administering  medicines 10 

Carbolic-acid  poisoning,  description  and  treatment 61 

Carbuncle,  description 446 

Carcinoma,  description  and  treatment 316 

Caries  of  the  teeth,  description 18 

Carpus,  description  and  treatment 278 

Cartilage  of  ear,  necrosis  affecting 356 

Caruncula  lachrymalis  of  eye,  description 343 

Casein  concretions  blocking  teats,  cause  and  treatment 240 

Casting  the  withers,  cause  and  treatment 211 

Castration — 

of  the  female,  description  of  operation 301 

of  the  male,  description  of  operation 300 

Cataract,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 348 

Catarrh — 

description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 90 

gastro-intestinal,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 31-34 

malignant,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 456-459 

nasal,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 90 

Catarrhal  fever,  infectious,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 456-459 

Cattle- 
animal  parasites  affecting,  chapter  by  B.  H.  Ransom 495-516 

farcy,  description  and  treatment 494 

fever,  southern,  description,  symptoms,  etc 461-491 

infected  with  anthrax,  method 441 

infectious  diseases,  chapter  by  D.  E.  Salmon  and  Theobald  Smith 357-494 

northern,  immunization  against  Texas  fever,  manner 483 

parasitic  diseases,  prevention 495 

rabies  affecting,  description,  symptoms,  etc 394-397 

tick,  Margaropus  annulatus,  as  carrier  of  Texas  fever 467 

ticks,  injurious  effects  of  and  losses  caused  by 469-474 

ticks,  methods  of  ridding  cattle  from 474-483 

tumors  affecting,  chapter  by  John  R.  Mohler 304-319 

Cerebral  apoplexy,  description  and  treatment 104 

Cerebro-spinal  division,  description 99 

Chapped  teats,  cause  and  treatment 240 


528  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

Charbon —     (See  also  Anthrax.)  Page. 

cause,  6ymptoms,  etc 440-448 

symptomatique,  description,  cause,  and  treatment 447-451 

Chest,  dropsy  affecting,  description  and  treatment 97 

Choking,  symptoms  and  treatment 22,  292 

Chorioptic  mange,  location  and  treatment 504 

Choroid  coat  of  the  eye,  description 342 

Chrondroma  tumor,  description  and  treatment 314 

Chronic  tympanites,  cause  and  treatment 28 

Coal-oil  poisoning,  description  and  treatment 61 

Ccenurus  cerebralis  affecting  brain,  treatment 515 

Coital  exanthema,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 392 

Cold  in  the  head,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 90 

Colic,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 33 

Common  mange,  description  and  treatment 501 

Concussion  of  the  brain,  cause,  symptoms,  and  treatment 104 

Congenital  imperfections  in  calves,  kinds 259 

Congestion — 

and  inflammation  of  testicles,  description  and  treatment 149 

of  brain,  description  and  treatment 104 

of  liver,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 45 

of  spinal  cord,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 107 

of  udder,  description  and  treatment 231 

Conjunctivitis — 

causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 344 

infectious  catarrhal,  symptoms,  treatment,  and  prevention 344 

Constipation — 

cause  and  treatment 38 

of  young  calves,  cause  and  treatment 250 

Contagious — 

abortion,  causes 165 

abortion,  prevention  and  treatment 169 

inflammation  of  the  udder,  description,  prevention,  and  treatment 234 

mammitis,  description,  prevention,  and  treatment 234 

pleuro-pneumonia,  cause,  incubation,  and  symptoms 367 

pleuro-pneumonia,  definition  and  history 364 

pleuro-pneumonia,  postmortem  appearance 370 

pleuro-pneumonia,  prevention  and  treatment 373 

scouring,  acute,  in  newborn  calves,  description,  prevention,  and  treat- 
ment   257 

Contused  or  lacerated  wounds,  description  and  treatment 297 

Contusions  of  lips,  wounds,  and  snake  bites  of  mouth,  symptoms  and  treat- 
ment    16 

Copper  poisoning,  description  and  treatment 58 

Cornea — 

of  eye,  description 341 

ulcers,  cause,  symptoms,  and  treatment 346 

Corneal  dermatoma,  description  and  treatment 349 

Corneitis,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 345 

Cough,  examination 87 

Cowpox,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 237,  428 

Cow,  pregnant,  hygiene 156 

Cramps  of  hind  limbs  during  pregnancy,  cause 158 

Cranium,  fracture,  description  and  treatment 275 

Creeps,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 264 


INDEX.  529 

Page. 

Croupous  enteritis,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 37 

Cud,  loss,  description 28 

Cuts,  barbed-wire,  description  and  treatment 299 

Cyanosis,  cause 79.  250 

Cysts — 

and  tumors,  description 308 

dental,  description  and  treatment 318 

dermoid  and  sebaceous,  description  and  treatment 330 

dermoid,  description  and  treatment 31S 

extravasation,  description 317 

mucous,  description  and  treatment 319 

parasitic,  description 317 

proliferation,  description  and  treatment 319 

serous,  description  and  treatment 31S 

Dandruff,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 329 

Deformities  of  the  hoof,  causes  and  treatment 338 

Dehorning,  description 288 

Demodectic  mange,  description  and  treatment 504 

Dental  cysts,  description  and  treatment 318 

Dermis,  description 320 

Dermoid — ■ 

and  sebaceous  cysts,  description  and  treatment 330 

cysts,  description  and  treamtent 318 

Diabetes — 

insipidus,  cause  and  treatment 116 

mellitus,  description 120 

Diarrhea — 

and  dysentery,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment  (see  also  Gastrointes- 
tinal catarrh) 36 

causes,  symptoms,  prevention,  and  treatment 251-257 

in  calves,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 34 

Dickson,  William,  and  William  H.  Lowe,  chapter  on  surgical  operations 285-303 

Dietetic  poisons,  description 65 

Digestive  organs,  diseases  affecting,  chapter  by  A.  J.  Murray 14-52 

Dilatation  and  hypertrophy  of  heart,  description 79 

Diphtheria  of  calf,  description,  cause,  treatment,  etc 451-456 

Dips  for  mange  and  scab 503 

Disinfection,  methods 361 

Dislocation  of  eyeball,  cause  and  treatment  * 353 

Dislocations  of  bones,  description  and  treatment 279 

Distention  of  rumen  with  food,  description  and  treatment 27 

Diuresis,  causes  and  treatment 116 

Drenching  tube  for  treatment  of  worms 508 

Dropping  following  calving,  description  and  treatment 231 

Dropsy — 

general,  of  calf,  cause  and  treatment 178 

of  abdomen,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 48 

of  abdomen  of  calf,  description  and  treatment 177 

of  chest,  description  and  treatment 97 

of  hind  limbs  and  between  thighs,  during  pregnancy,  cause 158 

of  membranes  of  fetus,  description  and  treatment 159 

of  navel,  description  and  treatment 249 

of  womb,  description  and  treatment 158 

61386—08 34 


530  DISEASES   OF   CATTLE. 

Dysentery — 

and   diarrhea,   causes,   symptoms,   and   treatment   (see  also   Gastrointes- 
tinal catarrh) 36 

chronic  bacterial,  description,  treatment,  etc 491 

red,  note 512 

Dyspepsia,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 31 

Ears — 

abscess  affecting,  treatment 354 

cartilage,  necrosis  affecting 356 

diseases  affecting,  chapter  by  M.  R.  Trumbower 354-356 

enchondroma,  description  and  treatment 356 

foreign  bodies  lodging  in,  symptoms  and  treatment 355 

frostbite,  symptoms  and  treatment 355 

fungoid  growths,  cause  and  treatment 354 

internal  inflammation,  symptoms  and  treatment 354 

lacerations,  cause  and  treatment 356 

scurfy,  cause  and  treatment 355 

ticks  affecting,  treatment 505 

Echinococeus  granulosus,  hydatids,  description 514 

Ectropion  of  the  eyelid,  description  and  treatment 350 

Eczema — 

description,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 325 

epizootic,  reference 380 

Edema — 

causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 329 

malignant,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 459-461 

Elephantiasis,  description 329 

Emphysema,  description  and  treatment 96,  333 

Enchondroma  of  the  ear,  description  and  treatment 356 

Encysted  stomach  worm,  description  and  treatment 509 

Endocarditis,  description  and  treatment 78 

Enemata,  uses  and  methods 11 

Enlargement  and  inflammation  of  the  haw,  description  and  treatment 353 

Enteritis — 

causes,  symptoms,  post-mortem  appearance,  and  treatment 37 

croupous,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 37 

gastro,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 35 

simple.     (See  Gastro-enteritis.) 

Entropion  of  the  eyelid,  description  and  treatment 350 

Epidermis,  description 320 

Epi  iepsy,  description,  cause,  and  treatment 105 

Episiaxis,  cause  and  treatment 91 

Epizootic  aphtha,  reference 380 

Ergotism — 

and  mycotic  stomatitis,  differentiation 521 

description  and  treatment 66 

Eruption,  vesicular,  of  genital  organs,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment..  392 

Erythema,  description,  causes,  and  treatment 323 

Esophagotomy,  description  and  treatment 293 

Estriasis,  reference 331 

Eversion — 

of  bladder,  description  and  treatment 214 

of  eyelid,  description  and  treatment 350 

i  if  w  i  >mb,  cause  and  treatment 211 


INDEX.  531 

Page. 

Extrarasation  cysts,  description 317 

Extra-uterine  gestation,  description  and  '  ^atment 159 

Eye— 

and  its  appendages,  diseases  affecting,  chapter  by  M.  R.  Trumbower. .  340-353 

aqueous  humor,  description 341 

capsule,  description 343 

caruncula  laehrymalis  affecting 343 

choroid  coat,  description 342 

cornea,  description 341 

cornea,  ulcers  affecting,  cause,  symptoms,  and  treatment 346 

description 340 

foreign  bodies  penetrating,  treatment 350 

lens,  description 342 

muscles,  description 342 

parasites  affecting,  treatment 348.  516 

puncta  lachrymalia,  description 343 

retina,  description 342 

roundworms  affecting,  treatment 516 

sclerotic  membrane,  description 341 

vitreous  humor,  description 342 

Eyeball- 
description 340 

dislocation,  cause  and  treatment 353 

hairy  tumor  affecting,  description  and  treatment 349 

Eyelashes,  inversion,  treatment 349 

Eyelids — 

description 343 

ectropion  affecting,  description  and  treatment 350 

entropion,  description  and  treatment 350 

eversion,  description  and  treatment 350 

inversion,  description  and  treatment 350 

laceration,  cause  and  treatment 350 

tumors  affecting,  description  and  treatment 350 

Face  bones,  fracture,  description  and  treatment 274 

Farcy  in  cattle,  description  and  treatment 494 

Fasciola — 

hepatica,  description  and  treatment 512 

magna,  description  and  treatment 512 

Fatty  degeneration  of  the  heart,  description 79 

Feed,  character,  analyses,  effect  on  milk 252-253 

Feeding  and  foods,  character,  effect  on  digestive  organs 14 

"Feed-lot "  method  of  freeing  cattle  and  pastures  from  ticks 478 

Fetlock— 

below,  fracture,  treatment 279 

sprain,  causes  and  treatment 266 

Fetus — 

developing  outside  womb,  description  and  treatment 159 

membranes,  dropsy  affecting,  description  and  treatment 159 

prolonged  retention,  description  and  treatment 160 

Fever — 

milk,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 222 

parturition,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 222 

Texas.     (See  Texas  fever.) 


532  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

Fever — Continued.  Page. 

southern  cattle,  description,  symptoms,  etc 46L491 

splenetic,  description,  symptoms,  etc 461-491 

Fibroma — 

interdigital,  description  and  treatment 338 

tumor,  description  and  treatment 312 

Fibrous  periostitis,  description  and  treatment 263 

Filaria — 

cervina,   worm  found  in  the  eye 348 

labiato-papillosa,  parasitic  roundworm  of  cattle 496,  515 

oculi,  description  and  treatment 348 

Fissure  of  the  wall  of  hoof,  description  and  treatment 338 

Fistula,  milk,  description  and  treatment 242 

Fleas,  reference 332 

Flies— 

and  mosquitos 332 

injurious  to  cattle 495-500 

larval,  note 499 

Flooding  from  the  womb,  description  and  treatment 210 

Fly,  Spanish,  poison,  description  and  treatment 69 

Fluke  disease  of  cattle 512 

Flukes  of  liver  and  lungs,  description  and  treatment 512 

Foods  and  feeding,  character,  effect  on  digestive  organs 14 

Foot- 
diseases  affecting,  chapter  by  M.  R.  Trumbower 335-339 

foul,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 336 

soreness,  description  and  treatment 335 

Foot-and-mouth  disease — 

benign,  simple,  or  noninfectious 517 

description,  cause,  symptoms,  etc 380-387 

similarity  to  mycotic  stomatitis 520 

Foot  rot,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 336 

Forage,  insects  on,  description  of  poisonous  effect 68 

Foul  in  foot,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 336 

Founder,  description,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 335 

Fractures — 

below  hock  and  fetlock,  description  and  treatment 278 

compound,  comminuted,  and  complicated,  general  symptoms 269 

description  of  different  kinds  and  treatment 268-279 

general  treatment 269 

of  face  bones,  description  and  treatment 274 

of  hip  point,  causes  and  treatment 277 

of  horns,  description  and  treatment 274 

of  limbs,  description  and  appliances  for  treatment 278,  279 

of  lower  jaw,  cause  and  treatment 275 

of  metacarpus  and  metatarsus,  description  and  treatment 278 

of  pelvis,  description  and  treatment 175,  276 

of  ribs,  cause  and  treatment 278 

of  spinal  column,  description  and  treatment 275 

of  vertebra,  description  and  treatment 275 

special,  descriptions  and  treatment 268 

Frostbites — 

of  ears,  symptoms  and  treatment 355 

treatment 333 


INDEX.  533 

Page. 

Fungi,  poisonous,  description  of  poisoning 67 

Fungoid  growth  of  the  ear,  cause  and  treatment 354 

Fungus  hematodes — 

cause  and  treatment 352 

description 316 

Furunculus,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 328 

Ganglionic  division  of  the  nervous  system 101 

Gangrenous  septicemia,  symptoms  and  treatment 459 

Garget,  description  and  treatment 231 

Gas — 

in  calf,  cause  of  swelling,  treatment 178 

or  air  under  the  skin,  symptoms  and  treatment 333 

Gastro-enteritis,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 35 

Gastro-intestinal  catarrh,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 31,  34 

Generative  organs — 

diseases,  chapter  by  James  Law 144-209 

discussion 144 

Genital    organs,    vesicular   eruption   affecting,    description,    symptoms,    and 

treatment 392 

Gestation,  extra-uterine,  description  and  treatment 159 

Gid  parasite  of  sheep  and  cattle 515 

Glands  of  the  skin,  location  and  use 321 

Globe  of  the  eye,  description 340 

Gnats,  buffalo,  description  and  remedy 497 

Goiter,  cause,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 311 

Gonorrhea,  description  and  treatment 152 

Gravel — 

description  and  cause 128 

effect  of  different  feeds 130 

in  prepuce,  or  sheath,  treatment 141 

Grubs — 

in  cattle,  description 499 

in  the  skin 331 

Guinea  worm  (Dracunculus  medinensis),  note 482 

Gullet— 

and  pharynx,  diseases  affecting,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 19-24 

wounds  and  injuries,  cause  and  treatment 24 

Gut,  blind,  parasites  affecting 451 

Gut  tie,  description,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 43 

Hsematobia  serrata,  horn  fly  of  cattle,  description  and  treatment 332, 496 

Hsematopinus  eurysternus  and  H.  vituli,  description  and  treatment 500 

Hsemonchus  contortus,  description  and  treatment 506 

Hematodes,  fungus,  description 316 

Hemoptysis,-  description  and  treatment 96 

Hair — 

balls,  cause 31 

concretions 31 

description 320 

Harbaugh,  W.  H.— 

chapter  on  ' '  Diseases  of  heart,  blood  vessels,  and  lymphatics  " 70-83 

chapter  on  ' '  Diseases  of  the  nervous  system  " 99-110 

Haw,  inflammation  and  enlargement,  description  and  treatment 353 

Health,  public,  relation  of  actinomycosis 437 


534  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

Heart —  Page. 

blood  vessels,  and  lymphatics,  chapter  by  W.  H.  Harbaugh 70-80 

description : 70 

dilatation  and  hypertrophy,  description 79 

fatty  degeneration,  description 79 

how  to  examine 74 

injury  by  foreign  bodies,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 75 

misplacement,  description 79 

palpitation,  description 74 

rupture,  description 79 

valves,  diseases  affecting,  symptoms  and  treatment 78 

Heat  prostration,  symptoms  and  treatment 105 

Heaves,  description  and  treatment 96 

Heel,  ulcerations,  causes,  and  treatment 337 

Hemaglobinuria,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 117 

Hematuria,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 117 

Hemoptysis,  description  and  treatment 96 

Hemorrhage,  treatment 80 

Hemorrhagic  septicemia,  causes,  symptoms,  etc 389-392 

Hepatitis,  symptoms  and  treatment 46 

Hernia — 

of  bowels,  description  and  treatment 40 

of  rennet,  description  and  treatment 40 

of  rumen,  description  and  cause 39 

of  stomach,  description  and  treatment 40 

of  uterus,  cause  and  treatment 158 

peritoneal,  description,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 43 

umbilical,  description,  causes,  and  treatment 41,  248 

ventral,  description  and  causes 39 

Hip- 
point,  fracture,  causes  and  treatment 277 

sprain,  cause  and  treatment i 267 

Hock- 
description  and  treatment 278 

fracture  below,  description  and  treatment 278 

Hollow  horn,  imaginary  disease 28 

Hoof- 
deformities,  causes  and  treatment 338 

loss,  causes  and  treatment 336 

split,  description  and  treatment 338 

wall,  fissure  affecting,  description  and  treatment 338 

wounds  and  pricks,  treatment 338 

Hornfly  (Ilsematobia  serrata),  affecting  cattle 332,  496 

Horns,  fracture,  description  and  treatment 274 

Hoven,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 24 

Hydatids — 

and  flukes  affecting  the  lungs  of  animals 514 

description  and  treatment 514 

Hydrocephalus,  description  and  treatment 176 

Hydrophobia.     (See  Rabies.) 

Hydrothorax,  description  and  treatment 97 

1 1  ygiene  of  pregnant  cow 156 

Hygromata,  description  and  treatment 317 

Hyperplasia,  reference 304 


INDEX.  535 

Hypertrophy —  Page. 

and  atrophy,  description 125 

and  dilatation  of  the  heart,  description 79 

Hypoderma  lineata,  warble  fly,  description 499 

Immunization  of  northern  cattle  against  Texas  fever,  manner 483 

Impetigo,  description,  causes,  and  treatment 327 

Incised  wounds,  description  and  treatment 295 

Incontinence  of  urine,  cause  and  treatment 127 

Incubation  period  of  infectious  diseases 359 

Indigestion — 

caused  by  distension  of  rumen  with  food,  description  and  treatment 27 

causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 31 

from  drinking  cold  water,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 33 

in  calves,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 35 

in  young  calves,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 250 

Induration — 

of  mouth  of  womb,  description  and  treatment 173 

of  tongue,  symptoms  and  treatment 21 

Infectious — 

aphtha,  reference 380 

catarrhal  conjunctivitis,  symptoms,  treatment,  and  prevention 344 

catarrhal  fever,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 456-459 

diseases,  difference  in  symptoms  and  lesions 358 

diseases,  general  discussion 357 

diseases  of  cattle,  chapter  by  D.  E.  Salmon  and  Theobald  Smith 357-494 

diseases,  period  of  incubation 359 

diseases,  treatment 360 

ophthalmia,  reference 494 

Inhalation  of  medicines,  manner '.  12 

Inflammation — 

and  congestion  of  testicles,  description  and  treatment 149 

and  enlargement  of  the  haw,  description  and  treatment 353 

contagious,  of  the  udder,  description,  prevention,  and  treatment 234 

of  brain  and  its  membranes,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 101 

of  internal  ear,  symptoms  and  treatment 354 

of  kidneys,  description,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 121 

of  liver,  symptoms  and  treatment -  -  46 

of  mucous  membrane  of  mouth,  symptoms  and  treatment 19 

of  navel  veins,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment.* 246 

of  parotid  gland,  symptoms  and  treatment. .. .   20 

of  sheath  and  penis  from  bruising,  prevention  and  treatment 151 

of  sheath,  causes  and  treatment -  149 

of  spleen,  description - 47 

of  udder,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment.  -  - 231 

of  urachus,  causes  and  treatment — -  -  245 

of  urethra,  description  and  treatment- --.  —  152 

of  vagina,  causes  and  treatment - 219 

of  veins,  description  and  treatment. 82 

of  womb,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 220 

pyemic  and  septicemic,  of  joints  of  calves,  symptoms  and  treatment 248 

traumatic,  of  the  stomach,  cause,  symptoms,  and  treatment 36 

Inflammatory  diseases  of  the  skin,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 323-329 

Insects  on  forage,  description  of  poisoning 68 

Intercostal  muscles,  rheumatism  affecting,  description  and  treatment 98 


536  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

Page. 

Interdigital  fibroma,  description  and  treatment 338 

Intestinal — 

parasites,  description  and  treatment 510 

worms,  reference 39 

Intestines,  roundworms  affecting,  kind  and  treatment 505 

Intussusception,  causes,  symptoms,  postmortem  appearance,  and  treatment. . .  37 

Invagination,  cause  of  obstruction  of  bowels,  symptoms,  and  treatment 37 

Inversion — 

of  eyelashes,  treatment 349 

of  eyelid,  description  and  treatment 350 

Iris,  description 341 

Itch- 
reference 331 

scab,  mites,  and  mange,  description  and  treatment 501 

Itching,  cause  and  treatment 322 

Ixodes  bovis,  reference 332,  467 

Jaundice,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 45 

Jaw — 

big.     (See  Actinomycosis.) 

lower,  fracture,  cause  and  treatment 275 

lump.     (See  Actinomycosis.) 
lumpy.     (See  Actinomycosis.) 

poverty,  caused  by  twisted  wireworms 506 

Jawbones,  actinomycosis  affecting,  description  and  treatment 430-439 

Joint-ill,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 248 

Kelis,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 331 

Keratitis,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 345 

Kidney — 

of  ox,  description 114 

parasites  affecting,  discussion 125 

stone  in,  description  and  treatment 136 

Kidneys — 

inflammation,  description,  causes,  Bymptoms,  and  treatment 121 

tumors  affecting,  description 125 

Knee — 

fracture  below,  description  and  treatment 278 

fracture,  description  and  treatment 278 

tumors,  description  and  treatment 317 

Knotting  and  twisting  of  bowels,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 37 

Labor  pains  before  relaxation  of  passages 173 

Lacerated  wounds,  description  and  treatment 297 

Laceration  of  the  eyelid,  cause  and  treatment 350 

Lacerations — 

and  ruptures  of  the  vagina,  description  and  treatment 215 

of  the  ear,  cause  and  treatment 356 

Lachrymal  gland  of  the  eye,  description 343 

Laminitis,  description,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 335 

Laryngitis,  cause  and  treatment 91 

Laurel  poisoning,  description  and  treatment 66 

Law,  James — 

chapter  on  "Diseases  following  parturition " 210-243 

chapter  on  "Diseases  of  the  generative  organs " 144-209 

chapter  on  "Diseases  of  the  urinary  organs" 111-143 

chapter  on  ' '  Diseases  of  young  calves  " 244-260 


INDEX.  537 

Page. 

Lead  poisoning,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 57 

Leeches  in  cattle,  description  and  treatment 505 

Lens  of  the  eye,  description 342 

Leucorrhea,  symptoms  and  treatment 219 

Lice — 

blue  (Hxmatopinus  eurysternus  and  IT.  vituli),  description  and  treatment. .  500 

red,  description  and  treatment 500 

Lightning  stroKe,  symptoms  and  treatment 108 

Limbs,  fracture  of  bones,  description 278 

Lipoma  tumor,  description  and  treatment 314 

Lips,  contusions,  wounds,  and  snake  bites,  symptoms  and  treatment 16 

Liver — 

and  spleen,  diseases  affecting,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 45-47 

congestion,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 45 

flukes,  description  and  treatment 512 

inflammation  affecting,  symptoms  and  treatment 46 

Lockjaw,  reference 108 

Loco  weed  poisoning,  description  and  treatment 65 

Louse,  red  ( Trichodectes  scalaris),  description  and  treatment 500 

Lousiness,  reference 331 

Lowe,  William  H. — 

and  William  Dickson,  chapter  on  "  Surgical  operations  " 285-303 

chapter  on  "  Noncontagious  diseases  of  organs  of  respiration  " 85-98 

Lump  jaw.     (See  Actinomycosis.) 
Lumpy  jaw.     (See  Actinomycosis.) 
Lung- 
abscess,  description 97 

tissue,  parasites  affecting 512 

worms  of  cattle,  description  and  treatment 515 

Lungs — 

actinomycosis  affecting 433 

air  tubes,  parasites  affecting,  description  and  treatment 515 

bleeding  from,  description  and  treatment 96 

parasites  affecting,  note 512 

Luxations  of  bones,  description  and  treatment 279 

Lymphatics — 

description 72 

heart,  and  blood  vessels,  diseases,  chapter  by  W.  H.  Harbaugh 70-80 

Malignant — 

catarrh,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 456^459 

edema,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 459-461 

pustule,  description 446 

tumors,  description 307 

Mammitis — 

contagious,  description,  prevention,  and  treatment 234 

simple,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 231 

Mange — 

common,  description  and  treatment 501 

demodectic,  description  and  treatment 504 

itch,  scab,  mites,  description  and  treatment 501 

psoroptic,  description  and  treatment 501 

reference 331 

Margaropus  annulatus,  Texas  fever  tick 467 


538  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

Page. 

Measly  beef,  description  and  prevention 514 

Medicine,  use  of  vegetable  poisons,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 63-67 

Medicines,  administration,  methods,  chapter  by  Leonard  Pearson 9-13 

Mem  brana  nictitans  of  eye,  description 343 

Meninges,  number  and  functions 101 

Mercury  poisoning,  symptoms  and  treatment 59 

Metacarpus,  fracture,  description  and  treatment 278 

Metatarsus,  fracture,  description  and  treatment 278 

Metritis,  causes,  symptoms  and  treatment 220 

Metroperitonitis,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 220 

Micrococcus  prodigiosus ,  parasite  of  bloody  milk 239 

Microorganisms,  transmission 359 

Milk- 
bloody  and  blue,  cause  and  treatment 239 

duct,  closure  and  thickening  of  mucous  membrane,  cause  and  treatment..  241 

duct,  closure  by  membrane,  description  and  treatment 242 

effect  of  different  feeds,  analyses 252,  253 

fever,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 222 

fistula,  description  and  treatment 242 

stringy,  cause  and  treatment 239 

suppression,  cause  and  treatment 238 

Mineral — 

acid  poisoning,  description  and  treatment 59 

poisons,  description  of  kinds . : 56 

Misplacement  of  heart,  description 79 

Mites — 

description 500 

mange,  itch,  scab,  description  and  treatment 501 

Mohler,  John  R. — 

chapter  on  "  Mycotic  stomatitis  of  cattle  " 517-522 

chapter  on  "Tumors  affecting  cattle" 304-319 

Monstrosities  in  the  calf,  descriptions,  causes,  and  treatment 179-205 

Moor-ill,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 117 

Morphia  and  opium  poisoning,  description  and  treatment 63 

Mosquitoes — 

and  adult  flies,  injurious  to  cattle 495 

and  flies,  reference 332 

Mouth — 

diseases  affecting,  symptoms  and  treatment 16-21 

inflammation  of  mucous  membrane,  cause,  symptoms,  and  treatment 19 

method  of  administering  medicines 9 

ulcers  affecting,  in  young  calves,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 20 

Mucopurulent  discharge  from  passages,  symptoms  and  treatment 219 

Mucous  cysts,  description  and  treatment 319 

Mucous  membrane — 

of  mouth,  inflammation,  cause,  symptoms,  and  treatment 19 

thickening  and  closure  of  milk  duct,  cause  and  treatment 241 

Murray,  A.  J.,  chapter  on  "Diseases  of  digestive  organs " 14-52 

Muscles — 

intercostal,  rheumatism  affecting,  description  and  treatment 98 

of  calf,  rigid  contraction,  cause  and  treatment 178 

of  the  eye,  description. 342 


INDEX.  539 


Mycotic  stomatitis — 

character,  cause,  symptoms,  lesions,  etc 518 

diagnosis  and  treatment 520 

of  cattle,  chapter  by  John  R.  Mohler 517-522 

prevalence 517 

synonyms 517 

Myocarditis,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 78 

Myoma  tumor,  description  and  treatment 310 

Myxoma  tumor,  description  and  treatment 315 

Nagana,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 493 

Nasal  catarrh,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 90 

Navel — 

abscess  affecting,  causes  and  treatment 246 

bleeding,  cause  and  treatment 245 

breach,  symptoms  and  treatment 248 

dropsy,  description  and  treatment 249 

string  constricting  member  of  fetus,  description 176 

urine  discharged  through,  description  and  treatment 245 

urine  duct,  inflammation,  cause  and  treatment 235 

veins,  inflammation,  description,  causes,  and  treatment 246 

Necrosis — 

and  diseases  of  cartilage  of  the  ear,  cause  and  treatment 356 

of  the  bony  orbit,  cause  and  treatment 352 

Necrotic  stomatitis,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 451-456 

Neoformation,  reference 304 

Neoplasm,  reference 304 

Nephritis,  description,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 121 

Nerves,  description 100 

Nervousness  cause  of  retarding  calving 176 

Nervous  system,  diseases,  chapter  by  W.  H.  Harbaugh 99-110 

Nettle  rash,  description,  causes,  and  treatment 324 

Neurofibroma  tumor,  description  and  treatment 310 

Nodular  disease  of  intestines  due  to  hook  worms,  note 511 

Noncontagious  abortion — 

causes 161 

treatment 168 

Noncontagious  diseases  of  organs  of  respiration,  chapter  by  William  H.  Lowe. .  85-98 

Noninfectious  foot-and-mouth  disease,  reference 517 

Nose  bleeding,  cause  and  treatment * 91 

Nostrils,  method  of  administering  medicines 12 

Nymphomania  in  female,  cause  and  treatment 145 

Obstruction — 

of  arteries,  description  and  treatment 82 

of  bowels,  resulting  from  invagination,  causes,  symptoms,  etc 37 

to  parturition  by  full  bladder  or  rectum '. 1 76 

to  parturition  by  masses  of  fat,  cause 175 

Q^sophagostoma  columbianum,  parasite  causing  nodular  disease,  treatment 511 

O'idmm  albicans,  parasite  causing  aphtha,  or  thrush 259 

Operations — 

asepsis,  important 285 

surgical,  chapter  by  William  Dickson 285-303 

surgical,  manner  of  securing  the  animals 286 

uses  of  anesthesia 285 


540  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

Ophthalmia —  Page. 

simple,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 344 

specific,  symptoms,  treatment,  and  prevention 344 

Opium  and  morphia  poisoning,  description  and  treatment 63 

Orbit- 
bony,  necrosis  affecting,  cause  and  treatment 352 

fracture,  cause  and  treatment 352 

tumors,  cause  and  treatment 352 

Orbital— 

and  periorbital  abscess,  symptoms  and  treatment 351 

cavity  of  the  eye,  description 342 

Orchitis,  description  and  treatment 149 

Ornithodoros  megnini,  ear  tick  of  cattle 505 

Osteitis,  description  and  treatment 262 

Osteoma,  description  and  treatment 315 

Osteomalacia,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 264 

Osteo-myelitis,  description  and  treatment 263 

Ostertagia  ostertagi,  encysted  stomach  worm  of  cattle 509 

Otitis,  symptoms  and  treatment 354 

Ovariotomy,  description  of  the  operation 301 

Ovum,  inclosed,  description  and  treatment 179 

Ox  warbles,  reference 500 

Pains,  labor,  before  relaxation  of  passages 173 

Palpitation  of  heart,  description 74 

Palsy- 
following  calving,  description  and  treatment 231 

of  neck  of  bladder,  cause  and  treatment 127 

Papillary  growths  and  warts  on  the  penis,  treatment 152 

Papilloma,  description  and  treatment 313 

Paralysis — 

description 107 

of  bladder,  causes  and  treatment 126 

of  hind  parts  during  pregnancy,  cause  and  treatment 159 

of  rear  parts  of  body,  symptoms  and  treatment 107 

Paramphistomum  cervi,  parasite  affecting  cattle 505 

Paraplegia,  symptoms  and  treatment 107 

Parasites- 
animal,  of  cattle,  chapter  by  B.  H   Ransom 495-516 

of  air  tubes  of  lungs,  description  and  treatment 515 

of  blood,  kinds 516 

of  bloody  milk 239 

of  ear,  kinds  and  treatment 505 

of  eye,  kinds  and  treatment 516 

of  intestinal  tract,  kinds  and  treatment 510 

of  kidney,  discussion 125 

of  lung,  kinds 515 

of  stomach,  kinds  and  treatment : 505 

Parasitic  cysts,  description 317 

Parasitic  diseases — 

of  cattle,  prevention 507 

of  the  skin 331-333 

Parotid  gland,  inflammation,  cause,  symptoms,  and  treatment 22 

Parotitis,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 20 


INDEX.  541 

Parturient —  Page. 

apoplexy,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 222 

collapse,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 222 

Parturition — 

difficult,  suggestions  for  assistant 171 

diseases  following,  chapter  by  James  Law 210-243 

fever,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 222 

obstacles,  causes 171 

Pastures,  how  to  free  from  ticks 477 

Paunch,  distention  with  food,  description  and  treatment 27 

Pearson,  Leonard,  chapter  on  "Administration  of  medicines  " 9-13 

Pelvis- 
fracture,  description  and  treatment 276 

narrow,  fracture,  cause  of  difficult  parturition 175 

Pemphigus,  symptoms  and  treatment 328 

Penis — 

and  sheath,  inflammation  from  bruising,  prevention  and  treatment 151 

ulcers  affecting,  cause  and  treatment 153 

warts  and  papillary  growths,  treatment 152 

wounds,  cause  and  treatment 153 

Percussion,  method  of  examination 90 

Pericarditis,  symptoms  and  treatment 77 

Periorbital  and  orbital  abscess,  symptoms  and  treatment 351 

Periostis,  aseptic,  purulent,  and  fibrous,  description  and  treatment 262 

Peritoneal  hernia,  description,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 43 

Peritoneum,  diseases  affecting,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 47-49 

Peritonitis,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 47 

Persistent  urachus,  description  and  treatment 245 

Pharyngeal  polypi,  description  and  treatment 21 

Pharyngitis,  symptoms,  causes,  and  treatment 19 

Pharynx — 

and  gullet,  diseases,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 19-24 

tumors  affecting,  description  and  treatment 21 

Phlebitis- 
description  and  treatment 82 

umbilical,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 246 

Phosphorus  poisoning,  symptoms  and  treatment 59 

Phthiriasis,  reference 331 

Pica,  description,  causes,  and  treatment 30 

Pink  eye.     (See  Ophthalmia.) 

Piroplasma  bigeminum,  protozoon  causing  Texas  fever 516 

Pityriasis,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 329 

Plants,  poisonous,  description  of  poisoning 66 

Pleurisy,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 93 

Pleurodynia,  description  and  treatment 98 

Pleuro-pneumonia — 

cause,  incubation,  and  symptoms 367 

definition  and  history 364 

postmortem  appearance 370 

prevention  and  treatment 373 

Pneumonia,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 94 

Pneumothorax,  description  and  treatment 97 

Poison,  definition 53 


542  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

Poisoning —  Page. 

aconite,  description  and  treatment 64 

and  poisons,  chapter  by  V.  T.  Atkinson 53-69 

by  acids,  description  and  treatment 59 

by  alkalies,  description  and  treatment 60 

by  animal  products,  description  and  treatment 67 

by  arsenic,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 56 

by  carbolic  acid,  description  and  treatment 61 

by  coal  oil,  description  and  treatment 61 

by  copper,  description  and  treatment 58 

by  insects  on  forage,  description 68 

by  laurel,  description  and  treatment 66 

by  lead,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 57 

by  loco  weed,  description  and  treatment 65 

by  mercury,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 59 

by  phosphorus,  symptoms  and  treatment 59 

by  poisonous  fungi,  description 67 

by  poisonous  plants,  description 66 

by  salt  and  saltpeter,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 62 

by  strychnine,  description  and  treatment 64 

general  symptoms  and  treatment 55 

sources 53 

Poisonous — 

fungi,  description  of  poisoning 67 

plants,  description  of  poisoning 66 

Poisons — 

and  poisoning,  chapter  by  V.  T.  Atkinson 53-69 

description  of  action 54 

dietetic,  description 65 

mineral,  descriptions 56-59 

vegetable,  uses  as  medicine 63-67 

Polydesmus  excitans,  effect  on  cattle 14 

Polypi,  pharyngeal,  description  and  treatment 21 

Polyps,  description  and  treatment 314 

Polypus  of  the  vagina  or  uterus,  description  and  treatment 153 

Polytrincium  trifolii,  effect  on  cattle 15 

Polyuria,  causes  and  treatment 116 

Pork  and  beef  measles,  note 514,  515 

Poverty  jaw  and  scours,  caused  by  twisted  wireworm,  treatment 506 

Pregnancy — 

cramps  of  hind  limbs  during,  cause 158 

duration 156 

signs 154 

Pregnant  cow,  hygiene 156 

Prepuce,  calculi  affecting,  treatment 141 

Presentation,  natural 171 

Pricks  and  wounds  of  the  hoof,  treatment 338 

Probang,  use  in  prevention  of  choking 23 

Prolapsus  vaginae,  description  and  treatment 158 

Proliferation  cysts,  description  and  treatment 319 

Prostration  from  heat,  cause,  symptoms,  and  treatment 105 

Protrusion  of  the  vagina,  description  and  treatment 158 

Protozoa — 

as  intestinal  parasites,  note 512 

definition 358 


INDEX.  543 

Page. 

Pruritis,  causes  and  treatment 322 

Pseudoplasm,  reference 304 

Psoroptes  communis  bovis,  mite  causing  common  mange 501 

Psoroptic  mange,  description  and  treatment 501 

Pucinnia  arundinacca,  P.  coronata,  P.  graminis,  P.  straminis,  effect  on  cattle.. .  14 

Pulex  irritans,  reference 332 

Pulmonary  congestion,  treatment 96 

Pulse — 

description 73 

examination 88 

Puncta  lachrymalia  of  the  eye,  description 343 

Purulent  periostes,  description  and  treatment 263 

Pustule- 
description,  causes,  and  treatment 327 

malignant,  in  man,  description 446 

Pterygium,  description  and  treatment 349 

Pyemia  and  septicemia,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 387 

Pyemic  and  septicemic  inflammation  of  joints  in  calves,  description,  symp- 
toms, and  treatment 248 

Quarter-ill,  description,  cause,  and  treatment 447-451 

Rabies  of  cattle,  description,  symptoms,  etc 394-397 

Rachitis,  description  and  treatment 264 

Ransom,  B.  H.,  chapter  on  "Animal  parasites  of  cattle" 495-516 

Rauschbrand,  description,  cause,  and  treatment 447-451 

Rectal  injections,  uses  and  methods 11 

Rectum — 

method  of  administering  medicines 11 

or  bladder,  full,  obstruction  to  parturition 176 

Red  dysentery,  note 512 

Red  water,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 117 

Renal  calculi,  description  and  treatment 136 

Regulations,  sanitary,  for  controlling  Texas  fever 488 

Rennet,  hernia  affecting,  description  and  treatment 40 

Respiration — 

how  to  examine 87 

organs,  noncontagious  diseases  affecting,  chapter  by  William  H.  Lowe 85-98 

organs,  methods  of  diagnosis 85 

Retina  of  the  eye,  description 342 

Rheumatism — 

articular  and  muscular,  symptoms,  prevention,  and  treatment 283 

of  intercostal  muscles,  description  and  treatment 98 

Ribs,  fracture,  cause  and  treatment 278 

Rickets — 

description  and  treatment 264 

in  young  calves,  description  and  treatment 260 

Rinderpest,  description,  cause,  symptoms,  etc 375-380 

Ringing  the  bull,  description 287 

Ringworm,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 332 

Roundworms — 

description 510 

of  eye,  treatment 516 

of  intestine,  kinds  and  treatment 510 

of  stomach,  description 505 


544  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

Rumen —  page. 

distention  with  food,  description  and  treatment 27 

hernia,  description  and  cause 39 

puncturing,  description 293 

Rumenotomy,  description 293 

Rupture — 

of  bladder,  symptoms 214 

of  heart,  description 79 

of  womb,  cause  and  treatment 215 

Ruptures — 

and  lacerations  of  the  vagina,  description  and  treatment .  215 

description  and  cause 39 

Saccharomyces  albicans,  parasite  of  aphtha,  or  thrush 260 

Salivation,  cause,  symptoms,  and  treatment 17 

Salmon,    D.    E.,    and   Theobald   Smith,  chapter   on    "Infectious   diseases   of 

cattle  " 357-494 

Salt,  common,  poisoning,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 62 

Saltpeter  poisoning,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 62 

Sarcoma  tumor,  description  and  treatment 315 

Satyriasis  in  male,  cause  and  treatment 145 

Scab,  mites,  mange,  itch,  description  of  kinds  and  treatment 501 

Scabby  teats,  treatment 240 

Scabies,  reference 331 

Scalds  and  burns,  causes  and  treatment 333 

Schistosoma  bovis,  cause  of  bloody  urine 516 

Scleroderma,  description 329 

Sclerotic  membrane  of  eye,  description 341 

Scouring — 

acute  contagious,  in  newborn  calves,  description,  prevention,  and  treat- 
ment   257 

causes,  symptoms,  prevention,  and  treatment 251-257 

Scours — 

and  poverty  jaw,  caused  by  twisted  wireworm,  treatment 506 

causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 34 

Screwworms  affecting  animals,  description  and  remedy 498 

Scurf,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 329 

Scurfy  ears,  cause  and  treatment 355 

Sebaceous — 

and  dermoid  cysts,  description  and  treatment 330 

glands,  location • 321 

Seborrhea,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 329 

Secretions,  how  to  examine 97 

Septicemia — 

and  pyemia,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 387 

gangrenous,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 459 

hemorrhagic,  causes,  symptoms,  etc 389-392 

Septicemic  and  pyemic  inflammation  of  joints  in  calves,  description,  symp- 
toms, and  treatment 248 

Serous  cysts,  description  and  treatment 318 

Setoning,  description  and  use 291 

Sheath — 

and  penis,  inflammation  from  bruising,  prevention  and  treatment 151 

calculi  affecting,  treatment 141 

inflammation,  causes  and  treatment 149 


INDEX.  545 

Page. 

Shoulder  joint,  sprain,  causes  and  treatment 266 

Simulium  pecuarum,  reference 332 

Skeleton,  number  of  bones 261 

Skin- 
description  320 

diseases,  chapter  by  M.  R.  Trumbower 320-334 

gas  or  air  under,  symptoms  and  treatment 333 

glands,  location  and  use 321 

grubs  affecting 331 

inflammatory  diseases,  causes  and  treatment 323 

method  of  administering  medicines 12 

parasites  affecting 495 

secretions  and  growths,  description,  causes,  and  treatment 329-331 

wounds,  kinds,  description,  and  treatment 333,  334 

Skull,  fracture,  description  and  treatment 275 

Slinking  the  calf,  description 161 

Smith,   Theobald,   and   D.   E.    Salmon,    chapter  on    "Infectious  diseases  of 

cattle  " 357-494 

Snake  bites — 

and  wounds  of  mouth,  symptoms  and  treatment 16 

description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 67 

reference 333 

Sore — 

mouth  of  cattle,  reference 517 

throat,  cause  and  treatment 19, 91 

tongue,  reference 517 

Soreness  of  the  foot,  description  and  treatment 335 

Southern  cattle  fever,  description,  symptoms,  prevention,  etc 461^191 

Spanish-fly  poisoning,  description  and  treatment 69 

Spasm  of  the  neck  of  the  bladder,  description  and  treatment 125 

Spavin,  symptoms  and  treatment 281 

Spaying,  description  of  operation 301 

Spinal — 

column,  fracture,  description  and  treatment 275 

cord,  description 100 

cord,  congestion,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 107 

cord,  injuries,  description 107 

Spleen — 

and  liver,  diseases,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 45-47 

and  pancreas,  parasites  affecting,  description  and  treatment 490 

inflammation,  description 47 

Splenetic  fever,  description,  symptoms,  etc 461-491 

Splenitis,  description 47 

Split  hoof,  description  and  treatment 338 

Sporadic — 

aphthae,  reference 517 

stomatitis  aphthosa,  reference 517 

Sprain — 

of  fetlock,  causes  and  treatment 266 

of  hip,  cause  and  treatment 267 

of  shoulder  joint,  causes  and  treatment 266 

Sprains,  description  and  treatment 265 

Squinting,  description 349 

61386—08 35 


546  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

Page. 

Stable  flies  (Stomoxys  calcitrans),  affecting  cattle 496 

Staggers,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 101,  515 

Staphylococcus  pyogenes  aureus  and  <S.  pyogeries  citreus,  bacteria  of  abscess 235 

Staphyloma,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 347 

Sterilty ,  causes 147 

Stings — 

of  wasps  and  bees,  description  and  treatment 68 

venomous,  reference 333 

Stomach — 

diseases  affecting,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 24-34 

fourth,  affected  with  hernia,  description  and  treatment 40 

hair  balls  in 31 

method  of  administering  medicines 11 

parasites  affecting,  treatment 505 

roundworms  affecting 505 

traumatic  inflammation,  cause,  symptoms,  and  treatment 36 

worm,  encysted,  description  and  treatment 509 

worms,  different  kinds  affecting  cattle 505 

Stomatitis — 

cause,  symptoms,  and  treatment 19 

mycotic.     (See  Mycotic  stomatitis.) 

necrotic,  description,  symptoms,  treatment,  etc 451-456 

ulcerative,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 20 

Stomoxys  calcitrans  affecting  cattle 496 

Stone — 

description  and  causes 128 

effect  of  different  feeds 130 

in  bladder,  symptoms  and  treatment 139 

in  kidney,  description  and  treatment 136 

or  full  bladder  or  rectum,  obstructions  to  parturition 176 

Strabismus,  description 349 

Streptococcus  pyogenes,  bacteria  of  abscess 235 

String,  navel,  constriction  of  member  of  fetus,  description 176 

Stringy  milk,  cause  and  treatment 239 

Strongylus  micrurus,  parasite  of  verminous  bronchitis 97 

Struma,  cause,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 311 

Strychnine  poisoning,  description  and  treatment 64 

Sudorific  glands,  location  and  use 321 

Sugar  in  urine,  description 120 

Sunstroke,  cause,  symptoms,  and  treatment 105 

Suppression  of  milk,  cause  and  treatment 238 

Surfeit,  description,  causes,  and  treatment 324 

Surgery,  discussion 285 

Surgical  operations — 

asepsis,  important 285 

chapter  by  William  Dickson  and  William  II.  Lowe 285-303 

manner  of  seeming  the  animals  during 286 

uses  of  anesthesia 285 

Sweat  glands,  location  and  use 321 

Swelling — 

of  calf  with  gas,  cause  and  treatment 178 

reference 304 

Symptomatic  anthrax,  description,  cause,  and  treatment 447-451 


INDEX.  547 

Page. 

Tail,  wolf  in,  imaginary  disease 28 

Tapeworms — 

adult,  of  small  intestine,  species  and  remedy 510 

cysts  in  muscles  of  cattle 514 

cysts  of  liver 513 

Tarsus,  fracture,  description  and  treatment 278 

Teat- 
blocked  by  warty  or  other  growth  inside,  description  and  treatment 241 

opening  in  the  side,  description  and  treatment 242 

Teats- 
blocked  by  calculus,  treatment 241 

blocked  by  concretion  of  casein,  cause  and  treatment 240 

chapped,  cause  and  treatment 240 

scabby,  treatment 240 

warts  affecting,  treatment 240 

Teeth- 
caries,  description IS 

irregularities,  cause  and  treatment IS 

Temperature,  how  to  examine 88 

Test,  tuberculin.     (See Tuberculin  test.) 

Testicles,  congestion  and  inflammation,  description  and  treatment 149 

Tetanus,  reference 396 

Texas  fever — 

area  cleaned  from  cattle  ticks,  fiscal  years  1907-1908 490 

carried  by  cattle  tick,  Margaropus  annulatus 467 

caused  by  protozoon  (Piroplasma  bigeminum) 516 

description,  symptoms,  prevention,  etc 461-491 

immunization  of  northern  cattle 483 

sanitary  regulations 488 

Threadworms  in  abdominal  cavity  of  cattle 515 

Throat,  sore,  symptoms,  causes,  and  treatment 19 

Thrombosis,  description  and  symptoms 82 

Thrush— 

in  young  calves,  description  and  treatment 259 

parasite  (Saccharomyces  albicans),  cause 260 

Ticks —     (See  also  Cattle  tick  and  Texas  fever.) 

affecting  the  ear 505 

as  parasites  of  cattle,  note 504 

Ixodes,  reference 332 

Tilleiia  caries  in  wheat,  effect  on  cattle 14 

Tinea — 

favosa,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 332 

tonsurans,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 332 

Tongue  induration,  symptoms  and  treatment 21 

Traehea,  method  of  administering  medicines 12 

Tracheotomy,  description 292 

Traumatic  inflammation  of  the  stomach,  cause,  symptoms,  and  treatment 36 

Trichiasis,  treatment 349 

Trichodectes  scalaris,  description  and  treatment 500 

Trichoplyton  tonsurans,  fungus  causing  Tinea  tonsurans 332 

Trumbower,  M.  R. — 

chapter  on  ' '  Diseases  of  the  ear  " 354-356 

chapter  on  "Diseases  of  the  eye  and  its  appendages " 340-353 


548  DISEASES    OF    CATTLE. 

Trumbower,  M.  R. — Continued.  Page. 

chapter  on  ' '  Diseases  of  the  foot " 335-339 

chapter  on  ' '  Diseases  of  the  skin  " 320-334 

Trypanosoma  brucei,  cause  of  nagana,  or  tsetse  fly  disease 493 

Tsetse  fly  disease,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 493 

Tuberculin  test — 

description  and  history 408 

harmless  to  healthy  animals 413 

summary  of  directions  for  making 417 

Tuberculosis — 

bovine,  and  public  health 420 

cause  and  treatment 402 

occurrence 398 

statistics  of  tests  in  United  States 401 

symptoms  and  diagnosis 407 

transmissibility  of  human  and  bovine 422 

treatment 418 

Tumor — 

bony,  description  and  treatment 315 

chrondroma,  description  and  treatment ' 314 

fibroma,  description  and  treatment 312 

hairy,  on  eyeball,  description  and  treatment 349 

lipoma,  description  and  treatment 314 

malignant  and  benign,  description 307 

sarcoma,  description  and  treatment 315 

Tumors — 

affecting  cattle,  chapter  by  John  R.  Mohler 304-319 

and  cysts,  description 308 

classification 306 

description 304 

description  of  kind 310 

diagnosis 309 

definition  and  description 304 

general  treatment 309 

of  calf,  description  and  treatment 179 

of  eyelids,  description  and  treatment 350 

of  kidney,  description 125 

of  orbit,  cause  and  treatment 352 

of  pharynx,  description  and  treatment 23 

on  the  brain,  description 110 

Turpentine  poisoning,  symptoms  and  treatment 65 

Twisted  stomach  worms,  description  and  treatment 506 

Twisting — 

and  knotting  of  the  bowels,  causes  symptoms,  post-mortem  appearance, 

and  treatment 37 

of  the  neck  of  the  womb,  description  and  treatment 174 

Tympanites — 

acute,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 24 

chronic,  causes  and  treatment 26 

Udder- 
congestion,  description  and  treatment 231 

contagious  inflammation     affecting,    description,    prevention,    and    treat- 
ment   234 

inflammation,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 231 

method  of  administering  medicines 11 


INDEX.  549 

Page. 

Ulceration  of  the  heel,  causes  and  treatment 337 

Ulcerative  stomatitis,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 20 

Ulcers — 

in  mouths  of  young  calves,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 20 

of  cornea,  cause,  symptoms,  and  treatment 346 

on  penis,  cause  and  treatment 153 

Umbilical — 

hernia,  description,  causes,  and  treatment 41 

hernia,  symptoms  and  treatment 248 

phlebitis,  description,  causes  and  treatment 246 

Urachus — 

inflammation,  causes,  and  treatment 245 

persistent,  description  and  treatment 245 

Ureteral  calculi,  description  and  treatment 136 

Urethra,  inflammation  affecting,  description  and  treatment 152 

Urethral  calculus,  symptoms  and  treatment 139 

Urinary — 

calculi,  causes 133 

calculi,  classification 134 

calculi,  description  and  causes 128 

calculi,  effect  of  different  feeds 130 

disorders,  symptoms 116 

organs,  diseases,  chapter  by  James  Law 111-143 

organs,  functions Ill 

Urine- 
albumen  in,  description  and  treatment 119 

amount  passed  daily 114 

analyses  under  different  rations 113 

bloody,  caused  by  blood  flukes 516 

bloody,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 117 

discharged  through  navel,  description  and  treatment 245 

excessive  secretion,  cause  and  treatment 116 

incontinence,  cause  and  treatment 127 

of  cow,  analysis 112 

of  ox,  analysis .' 113 

retention,  effect,  cause,  and  treatment '. 125 

sugar  in,  description 120 

Uterus — 

hernia  affecting,  cause  and  treatment 158 

polypus  affecting,  description  and  treatment 153 

Urticaria,  description,  causes  and  treatment 324 

Vaccine,  blackleg,  free  distribution,  note 447 

Vagina — 

clots  of  blood  on  walls,  description  and  treatment 216 

inflammation,  causes  and  treatment 219 

lacerations  and  rupture,  description  and  treatment 215 

method  of  administering  medicines '. 11 

polypus  affecting,  description  and  treatment 153 

protrusion,  description  and  treatment 158 

Vaginae  prolapsus,  description  and  treatment 158 

Vaginal  walls,  affected  with  coagulated  blood  after  calving,  treatment 176 

Vaginitis,  causes  and  treatment 219 

Valves  of  heart,  diseases  affecting,  symptoms  and  treatment 78 


550  DISEASES   OF   CATTLE. 

Page. 

Variola,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 428 

Vegetable — 

-  acids,  poisoning,  description  and  treatment 60 

poisons  as  a  medicine,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 63-67 

poisons,  note 63 

Veins — 

and  arteries,  wounds,  description  and  treatment 80 

inflammation,  description  and  treatment 82 

Venereal  desire — ■ 

diminution  or  loss,  cause,  prevention,  and  treatment 146 

excess,  cause  and  treatment 145 

Venomous  stings,  reference 333 

Ventral  hernia,  description  and  causes 39 

Verminous  bronchitis,  description,  symptoms,  and  prevention 97 

Verruca — 

acuminata  and  verruca  vulgaris,  description 330 

description,  causes,  and  treatment 330 

Vertebra,  fracture,  description  and  treatment 275 

Vesical  calculus,  symptoms  and  treatment 139 

Vesicular — 

eruption  of  genital  organs,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 392 

exanthema,  symptoms  and  treatment 392 

Vitreous  humor  of  the  eye,  description 342 

Vomiting,  symptoms,  cause,  and  treatment 29 

Wall  of  hoof,  fissure,  description  and  treatment 338 

Warbles — 

description  and  treatment 499 

reference 331 

Warts — 

and  papillary  growths  on  the  penis,  treatment 152 

description  and  treatment 313 

description,  causes  and  treatment 330 

on  the  teats,  treatment 240 

Wasp  and  bee  stings,  description  and  treatment 68 

Water — 

blisters,  symptoms  and  treatment 328 

cold,  drinking,  a  cause  of  indigestion,  symptoms  and  treatment 33 

in  the  head  of  calf,  description  and  treatment 176 

Wens,  description  and  treatment 330 

Wireworm,  twisted,  description  and  treatment 506 

Withers,  casting,  cause  and  treatment 211 

Wolf  in  tail,  imaginary  disease 28 

Womb — 

and  abdomen,  inflammation,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treat menl 220 

bleeding  from,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 210 

dropsy,  description  and  treatment 159 

eversion,  cause  and  treatment 211 

fetus  developing  outside,  description  and  treatment 159 

inflammation,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 220 

mouth,  induration,  description  and  treatment 173 

rupture,  cause  and  treatment 215 

t  wist  ing  of  neck,  description  and  treatment 174 

Wooden  tongue.     (See  Actinomycosis.) 


INDEX.  551 

V&ge. 

Wood-ill,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 117 

Worm — 

encysted  stomach,  description  and  treatment •    509 

in  the  eye,  description  and  treatment 348 

Worms — 

intestinal,  reference 39 

of  the  bladder,  description 515 

lung,  of  cattle,  description  and  treatment 515 

screw,  description  and  remedies 498 

thread,  in  abdominal  cavity  of  cattle 515 

Wounds— 

and  injuries  of  the  gullet,  description  and  treatment 24 

and  pricks  of  the  hoof,  treatment 338 

contused  and  lacerated,  description  and  treatment 297 

contusions  of  the  lips,  and  snake  bites  of  mouth,  description  and  treatment.  16 

healing,  treatment  and  dressing,  description 298 

incised,  description  and  treatment 295 

incised,  punctured,  and  lacerated,  description  and  treatment 294 

of  abdomen,  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment 45 

of  arteries  and  veins,  description  and  treatment 80 

of  mouth,  snake  bites  and  contusions  of  lips,  treatment 16 

of  penis,  cause  and  treatment 153 

of  skin,  kinds,  description  and  treatment 333,  334 

Yellows,  description,  symptoms,  and  treatment 45 

Zinc  poisoning,  description  and  treatment 58 

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